| Republican Party of Alaska | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Randy Ruedrich |
| Senate leader | Gary Stevens (President) Kevin Meyer (Majority Leader) Charlie Huggins (Minority Leader)[1] |
| House leader | Mike Chenault (Speaker) Alan Austerman (Majority Leader) |
| Ideology | Conservatism |
| National affiliation | Republican Party |
| Seats in the Upper House |
10 / 20
|
| Seats in the Lower House |
24 / 40
|
| Politics of the United States Political parties Elections |
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The Republican Party of Alaska is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party (GOP) in Alaska, headquartered in Anchorage.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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The Alaska Republican Party originates from Alaska's first district governor. Once Alaska was granted the status of United States District civilian leadership could be appointed by the current president of the United States. President Chester A. Arthur appointed Alaska's first territorial governor. He was a Republican named John Henry Kinkead.[5]
Alaska Republicans as a party organization can trace their origin to Alaska's first legislature in 1913.[6]
| State party leader | Position | City |
|---|---|---|
| Randy Ruedrich | Chairman | Anchorage |
| Steve Colligan | Vice-Chairman | Wasilla |
| Ralph Seekins | National Committeeman | Fairbanks |
| 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 |
The 2010 Alaska Republican Party Platform is divided into 7 separate planks, and is prefaced with a mission statement and a statement of principles.
"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 grassroots 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."[8]
Alaska Republicans believe in a free enterprise system. This includes opposition to the government providing services that can be provided at a lower cost by the private sector. They support low federal taxes. It is also important to them to make sure Alaska does not institute a statewide income tax or sales tax. They feel that growth of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure will result in more economic opportunities for the state.
Trade between Alaska and foreign countries is believed to be essential for the state's economy. The see illegal immigration as a threat to the United States while also demeaning rule of law. Blanket amnesty for illegal aliens is not seen as a viable solution. Alaska Republicans also have a strong opposition to deficit spending at the federal level.
Alaska Republicans see active management of Alaska's resources as a necessary measure for responsible development. They support the development and production of oil and natural gas reserves. They believe Alaskan's have the right to access to Alaska's fish and game resources. However these resources need to be managed responsibly to maintain sustainability.
Alaska Republicans feel that in matters of their children's education they know what educational options work best. Children could be sent to public schools, private schools, charter vocational schools, or the parents can opt for home schooling. They feel strongly that Alaska's education system should remain out of the influence of the federal government.
Marriage is strictly defined as a union between one man and one woman. Parents should ultimately be held responsible for their children. Parents should also be consented for any medical care and psychological services that their children may need. Alaska Republicans see the moment of conception as the beginning of human life. For that reason they support adult stem cell research while opposing embryonic stem cell research.
Alaska Republicans see the death penalty as appropriate for certain heinous crimes. They also believe strong mandatory minimum sentencing penalties for felony offenders is necessary to fight crime in Alaska. Federal and state justice systems should respect both the U.S. Constitution as well as the Alaska Constitution. Marijuana used for criminal purposes is also opposed.
The Alaska Republican Party believes in "peace through strength." With that viewpoint they see a strong United States military as being an essential element to preserve peace. Republicans in Alaska see the military potential and strategic importance Alaska and believe the military should use it to their advantage. Above all Alaska Republicans feel those who have served, or are currently serving in the armed forces of the United States deserve the support of the people.
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 Amendment of the United States Constitution should not be restricted by the state of Alaska. They feel that gun control measures are an infringement on constitutionally protected rights. With that they are 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.[10]
| State senator | State senate seat | City |
|---|---|---|
| John Coghill | State senate seat F | Fairbanks |
| Fred Dyson | State senate seat I | Eagle River |
| Cathy Giessel | State senate seat P | Anchorage |
| Charlie Huggins | State senate seat H | Wasilla |
| State representative | State representative district | City |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Johansen | State representative district 1 | Sitka |
| Peggy Wilson | State representative district 2 | Wrangell |
| Cathy Munoz | State representative district 4 | Juneau |
| William Thomas | State representative district 5 | Haines |
| Alan Dick | State representative district 6 | Lime Village |
| Steve Thompson | State representative district 10 | Fairbanks |
| Tammie Wilson | State representative district 11 | North Pole |
| Eric Feige | State representative district 12 | Chickaloon |
| Carl Gatto | State representative district 13 | Palmer |
| Wes Keller | State representative district 14 | Wasilla |
| Mark Neuman | State representative district 15 | Wasilla |
| Bill Stoltze | State representative district 16 | Chugiak |
| Anna Fairclough | State representative district 17 | Eagle River |
| Dan Saddler | State representative district 18 | Anchorage |
| Lance Pruitt | State representative district 21 | Anchorage |
| Mia Costello | State representative district 27 | Anchorage |
| Craig Johnson | State representative district 28 | Anchorage |
| Charisse Millett | State representative district 30 | Anchorage |
| Bob Lynn | State representative district 31 | Anchorage |
| Mike Hawker | State representative district 32 | Anchorage |
| Kurt Olson | State representative district 33 | Soldotna |
| Mike Chenault | State representative district 34 | Kenai |
| Paul Seaton | State representative district 35 | Homer |
| Alan Austerman | State representative district 36 | Kodiak |
Sarah Palin is one of Alaska's most recognizable Republicans. She was elected governor in 2006[13] and was John McCain's running-mate in the 2008 Presidential Election.[14]
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