Republican Party of Alaska
Encyclopedia
The Republican Party of Alaska is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party
(GOP) in Alaska
, headquartered in Anchorage
.
It is the dominant or majority party in Alaska. Following the elections of 2008, Republicans hold the following statewide executive offices:
Republicans are also the majority party in the Alaska House of Representatives
and maintain a minority plurality in the Alaska Senate
which is controlled by a coalition made up of 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans. There are four Republicans in the minority combined with the six Republicans in the coalition makes for 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats equally.
Republicans hold one U.S. Senate seat and have held Alaska's At-large congressional district
in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 40 years. The Alaska Republican Party has also greatly helped GOP presidential candidates in the state and has transformed the Last Frontier into one of the most staunchly Republican states in the nation. All Republican presidential nominees have won Alaska in recent elections; the last (and only) Democrat to carry Alaska was Lyndon B. Johnson
in 1964.
Republican John McCain
won Alaska in 2008 with 59.42% of the total statewide vote over Democrat Barack Obama
who received 37.89%, a 21.53-percent margin of victory for the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona.
political organization. We also seek to elect and appoint to public office Alaskans with integrity who are committed to enacting solutions consistent with these principles."
. They support lowering federal taxes and keeping Alaska free of a statewide income tax
and sales tax
. They support improvement of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure.
They support trade between Alaska
and foreign countries. They believe illegal immigration
harms the United States
and demeans its rule of law
. They feel that blanket amnesty for illegal aliens should not be given. They oppose deficit spending
at the federal level. They oppose inflation
through balancing the budget and trade surplus rather than expanding the money supply.
and natural gas
. They also support access to Alaska's vast fish and game resources while managing to to achieve a maximum sustainability
.
. For that reason they support adult stem cell research while opposing embryonic stem cell research.
penalties for felony
offenders. They also believe tat the federal and state justice systems should respect both the U.S. Constitution as well as the Alaska Constitution
. They also oppose the criminal use of marijuana.
of the United States Constitution should not be restricted by the state of Alaska. They are also against the registration or licensing of firearms or law-abiding firearm owners. They also believe that statutes should not mention rights that are listed in the Constitution as privileges.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
(GOP) in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, headquartered in Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
.
It is the dominant or majority party in Alaska. Following the elections of 2008, Republicans hold the following statewide executive offices:
- Governor
- Lt. Governor
Republicans are also the majority party in the Alaska House of Representatives
Alaska House of Representatives
The Alaska House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of about 15,673 people . Members serve two-year terms without term limits...
and maintain a minority plurality in the Alaska Senate
Alaska Senate
The Alaska Senate is the upper house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The Senate consists of twenty members, each of whom represents an equal amount of districts with populations of about 31,347 people . Senators serve four-year terms, without term...
which is controlled by a coalition made up of 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans. There are four Republicans in the minority combined with the six Republicans in the coalition makes for 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats equally.
Republicans hold one U.S. Senate seat and have held Alaska's At-large congressional district
Alaska's At-large congressional district
Alaska's At-large congressional district comprises the entire state of Alaska. This congressional district has the largest land area and lowest population density of any district in the United States...
in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 40 years. The Alaska Republican Party has also greatly helped GOP presidential candidates in the state and has transformed the Last Frontier into one of the most staunchly Republican states in the nation. All Republican presidential nominees have won Alaska in recent elections; the last (and only) Democrat to carry Alaska was Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
in 1964.
Republican John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
won Alaska in 2008 with 59.42% of the total statewide vote over Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
who received 37.89%, a 21.53-percent margin of victory for the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona.
Organization
| State party leader | Position | City |
|---|---|---|
| Randy Ruedrich | Chairman | Anchorage |
| Steve Colligan | Vice-Chairman | Wasilla |
| Ralph Seekins | National Committeeman | Fairbanks Fairbanks Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community... |
| Debbie Joslin | National Committeewoman | Delta Junction |
| Lynda Adams | Secretary | Ketchikan |
| Lynn Gattis | Assistant Secretary | Wasilla |
| Glenn Clary | Treasurer | Anchorage |
| Frank McQueary | Assistant Treasurer | Anchorage |
| Ken Kirk | Legal Counsel |
Platform
The 2010 Alaska Republican Party Platform is divided into 7 separate planks, and is prefaced with a mission statement and a statement of principles.Mission statement
"The mission of the Alaska Republican Party is to promote the principles upon which this country and our State were founded; advocate fiscally-sound, common sense solutions to the unique challenges facing Alaska; and serve as Alaska's leading grassrootsGrassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
political organization. We also seek to elect and appoint to public office Alaskans with integrity who are committed to enacting solutions consistent with these principles."
Jobs and the economy
Alaska Republicans support the free enterprise system. They oppose the government providing those services that can be more economically provided by the private sectorPrivate sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
. They support lowering federal taxes and keeping Alaska free of a statewide income tax
Income tax
An income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals or businesses . Various income tax systems exist, with varying degrees of tax incidence. Income taxation can be progressive, proportional, or regressive. When the tax is levied on the income of companies, it is often called a corporate...
and sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
. They support improvement of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure.
They support trade between Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and foreign countries. They believe illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
harms the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and demeans its rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
. They feel that blanket amnesty for illegal aliens should not be given. They oppose deficit spending
Deficit spending
Deficit spending is the amount by which a government, private company, or individual's spending exceeds income over a particular period of time, also called simply "deficit," or "budget deficit," the opposite of budget surplus....
at the federal level. They oppose inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
through balancing the budget and trade surplus rather than expanding the money supply.
Natural resources
Alaska Republicans support active management of Alaska's resources for responsible development. They support the development and production of oilOil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
. They also support access to Alaska's vast fish and game resources while managing to to achieve a maximum sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
.
Education
Alaska Republicans support the parental choice to send children to public schools, private schools, charter vocational schools, or home schooling. They strongly oppose any federal influence on Alaska's education system.Health and family
The Republican Party of Alaska views marriage as a union between one man and one woman. They feel that parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children, and their consent is required for medical care and psychological services. Alaska Republicans also believe that life starts at the moment of conceptionFertilisation
Fertilisation is the fusion of gametes to produce a new organism. In animals, the process involves the fusion of an ovum with a sperm, which eventually leads to the development of an embryo...
. For that reason they support adult stem cell research while opposing embryonic stem cell research.
Judiciary, law and crime
The Alaska Republican Party believes in the death penalty for certain heinous crimes. They also believe in strong mandatory minimum sentencingMandatory sentencing
A mandatory sentence is a court decision setting where judicial discretion is limited by law. Typically, people convicted of certain crimes must be punished with at least a minimum number of years in prison...
penalties for felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
offenders. They also believe tat the federal and state justice systems should respect both the U.S. Constitution as well as the Alaska Constitution
Alaska Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Alaska is the constitution of the U.S. state of Alaska. It was ratified in 1956 and took effect with Alaska's admission as a state on January 3, 1959.-The statehood movement:...
. They also oppose the criminal use of marijuana.
National defense
The Alaska Republican Party believes in "peace through strength." They support a strong United States military. They also believe in the support of those who have served, or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States.Constitutional rights
Alaska Republicans believe that every human being deserves the right to life, liberty and property from the moment of conception until natural death. Alaska republicans also feel that the Second AmendmentSecond Amendment
Second Amendment may refer to:*Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, part of the United States Bill of Rights*Colorado Amendment 2 , which was the subject of the United States Supreme Court case Romer v...
of the United States Constitution should not be restricted by the state of Alaska. They are also against the registration or licensing of firearms or law-abiding firearm owners. They also believe that statutes should not mention rights that are listed in the Constitution as privileges.
U.S. House of Representatives
- AK-At-LargeAlaska's At-large congressional districtAlaska's At-large congressional district comprises the entire state of Alaska. This congressional district has the largest land area and lowest population density of any district in the United States...
: Don YoungDon YoungDonald Edwin "Don" Young is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1973. He is a member of the Republican Party.Young is the 6th most senior U.S. Representative and the 2nd most senior Republican Representative, as well as the 2nd most senior Republican in Congress as a whole...
Statewide offices
- Governor: Sean ParnellSean ParnellSean R. Parnell is an American Republican politician who is the tenth and current Governor of Alaska. He succeeded Sarah Palin following her resignation, and was sworn in at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009...
- Lieutenant Governor: Mead TreadwellMead TreadwellMead Treadwell is the 13th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and former Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.- Work with the Arctic Research Commission :...
State Senate
| State senator | State senate seat | City |
|---|---|---|
| John Coghill John Coghill John Bruce Coghill, Jr. is a Republican member of the Alaska Senate, appointed to represent district F in 2009. He was first elected to the legislature as a state representative for district 32 in 1998... |
State senate seat F | Fairbanks Fairbanks Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community... |
| Fred Dyson Fred Dyson Frederick J. "Fred" Dyson is a Republican member of the Alaska Senate, representing District I since 2003. The district contains the core community of Eagle River, where Dyson resides, and stretches across the northern edge of Anchorage municipal boundaries to Government Hill, also including the... |
State senate seat I | Eagle River Eagle River (Alaska) There are three rivers named Eagle River in the U.S. state of Alaska.Eagle River in Anchorage flows northwest from Eagle Glacier to Eagle Bay in Cook Inlet, 15 km northeast of Anchorage. Its Dena'ina name was Yukla-hina. The Anchorage suburb of Eagle River is named after this river... |
| Cathy Giessel Cathy Giessel Catherine A. "Cathy" Giessel, is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Alaska. Giessel currently serves as a member of the Alaska Senate representing District P, which covers portions of Anchorage and Eagle River near to Chugach State Park, eastern and southern reaches of the Anchorage... |
State senate seat P | Anchorage |
| Charlie Huggins Charlie Huggins Charlie Huggins is a Republican member of the Alaska Senate, representing the H District since his appointment in 2004.-External links:* official government website* profile... |
State senate seat H | Wasilla |
State House of Representatives
| State representative | State representative district | City |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Johansen Kyle Johansen Kyle Johansen is the Republican Majority Leader in the Alaska House of Representatives representing Alaska's 1st District since 2006. He is a member of several committees, including the Transportation Committee, Economic Development, Trade & Tourism Special Committee, Energy Special Committee, the... |
State representative district 1 | Sitka |
| Peggy Wilson Peggy Wilson Peggy Wilson is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District since 2000. She is currently serving as Chair of the Transportation Committee, and is a member of the Education Committee, Resources Committee, State Affairs Committee, and the Legislative... |
State representative district 2 | Wrangell |
| Cathy Munoz Cathy Muñoz Catherine Nora Engstrom Muñoz is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, who has since 2008 represented the 4th District. She is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of the Education Committee, and is a member of the... |
State representative district 4 | Juneau |
| William Thomas Bill Thomas (Alaska politician) William A. 'Bill' Thomas, Jr. is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 5th District since 2004. He is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee. He also chairs the Administration and... |
State representative district 5 | Haines Haines, Alaska Haines is a census-designated place in Haines Borough, Alaska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the area was 1,811. Haines was formerly a city but no longer has a municipal government... |
| Alan Dick | State representative district 6 | Lime Village |
| Steve Thompson | State representative district 10 | Fairbanks Fairbanks Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community... |
| Tammie Wilson Tammie Wilson Tammie Wilson is a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing District 11, which encompasses the city of North Pole and surrounding area. Prior to holding this position, she was a member of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly.... |
State representative district 11 | North Pole North Pole, Alaska North Pole is a small city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Fairbanks, Alaska metropolitan statistical area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population as of July 1, 2009 at 2,226. The name "North Pole" is often applied to the entire area covered... |
| Eric Feige | State representative district 12 | Chickaloon |
| Carl Gatto Carl Gatto Carl Gatto is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 13th District since 2002. He is currently serving as Chair of the Military & Veterans' Affairs Special Committee, and is a member of the Judiciary Committee, State Affairs Committee, Administrative Regulation... |
State representative district 13 | Palmer Palmer, Alaska Palmer is the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the state of Alaska, USA. It is part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 5,937.... |
| Wes Keller Wes Keller Wes Keller is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 14th District. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Health & Social Services Committee, Chair of the Administrative Regulation Review Committee, and is a member of the Community & Regional Affairs... |
State representative district 14 | Wasilla |
| Mark Neuman Mark Neuman Mark Neuman is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 15th District since 2004. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Resources Committee, Vice-Chair of the Labor & Commerce Committee and is a member of the Rules Committee, Economic Development, Trade &... |
State representative district 15 | Wasilla |
| Bill Stoltze Bill Stoltze Donald William Stoltze is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 16th District. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Finance Committee, and is a member of the Legislative Council, the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee, and the Cook Inlet Salmon Task... |
State representative district 16 | Chugiak |
| Anna Fairclough Anna Fairclough Anna Fairclough is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 17th district since 2006. She is currently a member of the Finance Committee... |
State representative district 17 | Eagle River Eagle River (Alaska) There are three rivers named Eagle River in the U.S. state of Alaska.Eagle River in Anchorage flows northwest from Eagle Glacier to Eagle Bay in Cook Inlet, 15 km northeast of Anchorage. Its Dena'ina name was Yukla-hina. The Anchorage suburb of Eagle River is named after this river... |
| Dan Saddler | State representative district 18 | Anchorage |
| Lance Pruitt Lance Pruitt Lance Pruitt is the Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 21st district which covers East Anchorage. He was elected in 2010.- Early life and career :... |
State representative district 21 | Anchorage |
| Mia Costello Mia Costello Mia C. Costello is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 27th District since January 2011. In November 2010 she defeated Democratic incumbent Bob Buch to win her seat. Costello received 3,696 votes to Buch's 2,873. Costello serves on the House Finance... |
State representative district 27 | Anchorage |
| Craig Johnson Craig Johnson (Alaskan politician) Craig Johnson is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 28th District since 2006. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Resources Committee, Chair of the Cook Island Salmon Task Force, Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, and is a member of the... |
State representative district 28 | Anchorage |
| Charisse Millett Charisse Millett Charisse Millett is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 30th District since 2008. She is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Energy Special Committee, and is a member of the Community & Regional Affairs Committee, Rules Committee, Fisheries Special... |
State representative district 30 | Anchorage |
| Bob Lynn Bob Lynn Bob Lynn is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 31st District since 2002. He is currently serving as Chair of the State Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Health & Social Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Labor & Commerce Committee, and the... |
State representative district 31 | Anchorage |
| Mike Hawker Mike Hawker Mike Hawker is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 32nd District since 2002. He is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee... |
State representative district 32 | Anchorage |
| Kurt Olson Kurt Olson Kurt E. Olson is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 33rd District since 2004. He is currently serving as Chair of the Labor & Commerce Committee, and is a member of the Resources Committee, Rules Committee, and Military & Veterans' Affairs Special Committee... |
State representative district 33 | Soldotna Soldotna, Alaska As of the census of 2000, there were 3,759 people, 1,465 households, and 969 families residing in the city. As of 2008, the population was close to 4,200. The population density was 541.9 people per square mile . There were 1,670 housing units at an average density of 240.7 per square mile... |
| Mike Chenault Mike Chenault Charles Michael "Mike" Chenault is the Republican Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives for the 26th Alaska State Legislature. He currently represents Alaska's 34th District, which encompasses most of the central Kenai Peninsula, exclusive of the cities of Kenai and Soldotna and the area... |
State representative district 34 | Kenai Kenai -Places:* Kenai, Alaska, a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska* Kenai Peninsula, a large peninsula in south-central Alaska* Kenai River, a river on the Kenai Peninsula* Kenai Mountains, a mountain range in Alaska* Kenai Fjords National Park... |
| Paul Seaton Paul Seaton Paul Seaton is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 35th District since 2002. He is currently serving as Chair of the Education Committee, Vice-Chair of the State Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Health & Social Services Committee and the Resources... |
State representative district 35 | Homer Homer, Alaska Homer is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 5,364. One of Homer's nicknames is "the cosmic hamlet by the sea"; another is "the end of the road"... |
| Alan Austerman Alan Austerman Alan David Austerman is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 36th District since 2009. He is cuurently the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. He also serves on the Fisheries, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Community and Regional Affairs... |
State representative district 36 | Kodiak Kodiak, Alaska Kodiak is one of 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island, Kodiak Island Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. All commercial transportation between the entire island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline... |