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The incumbent, Les Gara, has more than six years of experience in the state Legislature. His opponent, Christopher Constant, is a relative newcomer, but he says he has what it takes to take the House seat—a seat Gara has occupied for three terms.
"Of the things I've worked on, the thing I'm most proud of are when I first got elected, I said the state needs oil tax reform," Gara said.
There's much more work to be done, however, which is why he says he's running for re-election. And there would be no contest were it not for Constant.
"I'm running because this is
The process is something Gara knows well—after six years in State House.
"I've worked to write ethics law fixes that actually close the loopholes those politicians took advantage of," Gara said of the political corruption charges plaguing so many of Alaska's legislators. "It's time for a change in the state to get rid of the good old boys system and I think we've done a pretty good job of that."
But his challenger claims he is better suited for the job. Constant says he is a unifier, citing years of experience working as a nonprofit fundraiser.
"We need someone skilled at working across party lines and who knows how to work hard with people of a diverse background," Constant said. "I think that would be me."
On matters of education and health care, Constant says he agrees with Gara, who wants universal health care and statewide early education before kindergarten.
Constant claims he's a "pro-job, pro-worker Democrat," but has benefited from Republican
"We need to implement a new Permanent Fund where we shift our major investment into a fund that provides for a long term for state services and educational spending," Constant said.
By his own admission, Constant's chances for winning are weak, but he wants the experience now so that he can run in the next election.
To contact Grace, call 907-273-3186.
