Thank you.
Judy: A major political upset in
Alaska last night as a Democrat
won the states only seat in the
U.S. House of representatives.
Former state legislator won a
special election to replace
former congressman don young who
died earlier this year.
Republican opponents included
former vice presidential nominee
and governor Sarah Palin and
Nick pallets.
They will face off again in
November.
It is also the first election
for the state using rank joys
Joining me now to discuss her
wind is the congresswoman.
Congratulations.
We looked at this and there were
originally dozens of people in
this race.
Alaska has only been represented
in congress in the house by a
Republican for 50 years.
You are running against two
well-known Republicans.
>> Like you say, it was a large
field of 48 and luckily this
year we are using the rank joys
voting system and I think --
rank choice voting system and I
think alaskans had an appetite
for candidates that wanted to
stick to the issues and not get
involved in artisan pettiness
and I think that really helped
my campaign.
Judy: You mentioned that it was
rank choice and I think what
surprised a lot of people is
something like 30% of your
opponents vote went to you.
He has a Republican and Ura
Democrats.
How do you figure that?
>> I think alaskans tend to vote
for the person and not
necessarily the party
affiliation.
I think folks that are
interested in public policy and
making sure our economy stays on
track and we are doing things to
try to manage our inflation and
logistic supply chain issues and
things like that did find me
I served 10 years and the state
house of representatives and I
served in a bipartisan way.
I was instrumental in
reestablishing our bush caucus
which is 10 house districts off
the road system representing
remote districts.
Typically our caucus of 10 had
five Republicans and five
Democrats.
Although I was in the minority
the 10 years I served in the
legislature, I was an effective
legislator.
I was able to bring home capital
projects and build coalitions to
get Alaska moving forward.
Judy: You would be the first
native alaskan to serve in
congress but I noticed you said
last night that you are much
more than just your ethnicity.
What does that mean?
>> Clearly it is of significance
that an alaskan native is now
part of our congressional
delegation even if it is just
the short term.
Alaskan natives have been here a
very long time and we have not
been reflected in the democratic
process or among policymakers at
the table with a position at the
table.
But Alaska is a very diverse
stage.
We have people from all over the
world.
The Anchorage school district
has over 90 languages spoken in
homes.
Clearly we are a very diverse
people across our state but we
have a common future.
I really want to make it clear
that I intend to represent all
alaskans regardless of their
ethnic background.
Judy: You are not saying that
you file special responsibility
to represent native alaskans.
>> Well, that is certainly there
and it is significant that we
now have representation
representing Alaska's first
people but Alaska natives only
comprise about 16% of the
alaskan population and we have
to make sure that because we
only have one congressman for
the entire state of Alaska, we
have to make sure that one
person is working on behalf of
all alaskans.
Judy: You mentioned the raise is
over but in two months you will
be running a race all over
again.
The regularly scheduled
election.
Your communications person was
telling one of my colleagues
that it will be difficult.
How do you think it will be
different?
>> I will be multitasking.
I will be doing my very best to
make sure our constituent
relations team is doing
everything they can to make sure
that alaskans have their
constituent needs met.
You mentioned our congressman
passed away in March and his
office has been closed for a
number of months.
Our congressional delegation
only has three people.
Having that person missing
leaves a huge gap in our very
small congressional delegation
so I will be working hard to
make sure at front is taken care
of.
I need to make sure that I am
learning the lay of the land in
Washington, D.C. And building
quality and positive
relationships with colleagues
and seeing where I can work at
building coalitions to overcome
some of Alaska's challenges and
capitalize on our opportunities
but I am very focused on
November because that is what we
are almost interested in, the
two year siege.
Judy: Republicans are trying to
tie you to the national
democratic party.
President Biden the last few
days has been talking about in
assault weapons ban.
Is this something you would
support?
>> I will need to look more
carefully at the details of that
proposal.
I think it is noteworthy that my
hometown had the first school
shooting in our nation.
I think many of us, I am a mom
and a grandmother and I am very
concerned about this epidemic we
are seeing but I do want to make
sure that alaskans understand
that I am a staunch advocate for
second amendment rights.
I myself have 176 long guns in
my home.
We are avid hunters.
We are very tied to our
subsistence resources and having
access to wild game.
And the most important factor in
terms of being a successful
hunter is having access to guns
and ammunition.
Judy: Let me ask you find lay,
does your win -- let me ask you
finally, does your win spell
good news for your party?
>> I don't think there is much
good to be made from making
predictions especially political
predictions.
I am not one to want to jinx
things so I will reserve just --
I will reserve judgment until
November 8.
Judy: Congratulations again.
The newly elected congresswoman
from Alaska.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Judy.