Election 2012: Republican Senator Cathy Giessel v. Independent Ron Devon for Senate District N

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By Megan Edge

Story Created: Oct 31, 2012 at 7:38 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 31, 2012 at 7:38 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - The contest for a senate seat representing a district that begins in South Anchorage and ends in the upper Kenai Peninsula is one of the more contentious races this election season.

With the election is only a week away, the seat in District N is heating up. It is a race between incumbent Republican Cathy Giessel and relative newcomer Ron Devon, running independent of a party.

Both candidates were offered multiple chances to speak with KTVA starting last week, but Giessel declined.

“It’s been a pretty clean campaign, so far I haven’t seen anything too out of the ordinary I guess,” said Devon. “There [are] enough important issues, it’s pretty easy to have a compare and contrast when it comes to the race.”

One of the hottest topics in every race this year is oil taxes. Governor Sean Parnell introduced a proposal in the last legislative session that would have given oil companies up to $2 billion in oil tax cuts every year.

Devon, a longtime local business owner, said that would not have helped Alaska.

“Things that we do here in the state need to make good business sense. So when I am looking at giving an industry two billion dollars a year, I kinda want to know what we are going to get back for it, and so far they haven't been able to tell us.”

Giessel supported the governor’s proposal. During the last session she said she was “comfortable” with the House Bill 110.

Devon and Giessel also differ when it comes to education.

Giessel supported Senate Bill 106, a K-12 scholarship program that would have given money to parents for different educational options, including private school.

Devon said that wouldn't be fair for all of Alaska's students.

“That gives us an uneven playing field for anyone here in the state. I want everybody's kids to have the same opportunities to get a good decent education here in the state.”

Voters in District N have until Tuesday to choose who will represent them in Juneau.

Giessel did speak on-camera with CBS 11 during the primaries and has referred us to that interview. She said her views haven’t really changed since then.

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A said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 8:09 PM

Alaska Family Action responses, continued. 8. Oppose adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as special protected classes under Alaska civil rights law? YES 9. Support school choice legislation that empowers parents to choose best school for children, whether public or private? YES 10. Support amendment to allow private educational institutions to compete for state funding on equal basis with government schools? YES 11. Support requiring state-funded libraries to install Internet filters to prevent children from being exposed to obscene content? YES 12. Support giving Governor power to appoint state judges in same way President makes appointments to federal courts? YES

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A said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 8:03 PM

Giessel's responses to Alaska Family Action's "Value Voters Guide". 1. Abortion - "It's legal. My goal has been to help women choose life." 2. Oppose expansion of Denali KidCare due to abortion funding? YES 3. Support tighter definition of “medically necessary” abortions? YES 4. Oppose government funding of Planned Parenthood? YES 5. Support amendment clarifying AK constitution contains no right for abortion? YES 6. Oppose changing state constitution to permit homosexual “marriage” in AK? YES 7. Support amendment to overturn court order forcing state to give taxpayer-funded employment benefits to homosexual partners of public employees? YES

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CG said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 7:54 PM

The argument for school choice is a good one, but faulty. There isn't EXTRA money - it's the same pot of money. As a parent, I have education choices. It's my option to pay tuition if that's a priority for me. She isn't talking about excellence - she's talking about a back door to use state funding to pay for church schools. The state already pays homeschooling parents the per child school allocation AND provides new computers and unlimited high-speed internet. FREE. Parents pick curriculum at their discretion, including religion-based. Homeschoolers are on sports teams, use school facilities, participate in extra-curricular activities like drama and dance. Do the math. Giessel homeschooled 3 children for 12 years. She got $150,000-$200,000 in state money. The pastors of Big-Box churches want it. America has mandatory school attendance, providing schools and education that doesn't cost citizens. There is no obligation to provide more than that. That's MY responsibility.

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Chris Brown said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 3:31 PM

Thanks to KTVA for reporting on all the races! In this one, I am hard-pressed to find a rationale for saying that giving a parent the right to choose a school option, which right is given to all parents (guardians) is "not fair to all of Alaska's students." It not only fosters competition (which virtually guarantees improved results) as decided by each student's parent, but also reduces the total cost to the state, given that many of the private schools that would likely be chosen cost less than the public schools, some significantly less. Our public school systems are staffed by many excellent folks, but the no-competition mode of operation encourages mediocrity! Mr. Devon's position here links him all-to-cozily to the union, and not the "customers."

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TedtheBear said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 11:34 AM

Well....since Public Safety Coalition don't support her, she isn't getting my vote.

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AleisterAK said on Wednesday, Oct 31 at 8:30 AM

Geissel is trying to dodge the media. She's the anointed Republican Princess and that's good enough. Why sjould SHE have to work to get elected?

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