Moderate Republican Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, a veteran legislator in the Alaska State House, has won the endorsement of District 5 Republicans in Kodiak.
Stutes is running to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, the longest serving president of the state Senate. She will face Homer resident Heath Smith, a retired UPS employee and member of the Homer Planning Commission, in the general election in November. Senate District Seat C represents Kodiak, Cordova and the southern Kenai Peninsula.
Stutes has said that her top priorities in the upcoming Legislature are a robust Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), healthy fisheries and fisheries management, advocating for her constituents, a robust capital budget, fiscal responsibility, education funding and teacher retention, a better state retirement system and consistency in Permanent Fund dividends for Alaskans.
Over the past two years Stutes introduced and passed seven constituent driven bills, many geared toward fisheries, and initiated an audit of the Board of Fisheries to ensure the board follows its own process and the law.
“The yearly political battle over essential services like AMHS, education, fisheries management, public safety and the PFD must end,” she said.
Stutes also cited her legislative track record of holding the line against spending cuts that would have damaged coastal communities, including cuts to AMHS and school bond debt reimbursement.
Smith’s campaign materials cite his legislative priorities as ensuring the maritime economy thrives through sustainable fisheries management and habitat protection, diversified local energy infrastructure, common sense budgeting to protect the state’s long-term financial stability, and empowering schools.
Smith is also urging a business-friendly environment.
“By creating a business-friendly environment that rewards innovation and supports job creation, District C can expand economic opportunities, strengthen community prosperity, and build a more secure future for generations to come,” he said.
In a recent interview with the Homer Independent Press, Smith said he supports hydroelectric projects and Railbelt transmission upgrades in addition to the proposed Alaska Liquid Natural Gas pipeline. He also voiced support for consolidating school districts to boost statewide education funding.
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