October 12, 2018
Friday PM

I have read many times over the years that Alaskans are notoriously difficult to poll and that we do not neatly fit into one category. I believe this stems from a fiercely independent spirit held by each and every Alaskan. We are a strange and interesting mix of urban and rural. Corporate and Tribal. Inland and Coastal. Progressive and Conservative. There are so many competing interests that ebb and flow throughout our state. But in our hearts, we are all hard working Americans who want good clean air to breathe and water to drink. We want a strong economy that provides good jobs. We all want good schools, roads, marine highways, and a functioning government that works as hard as we do to ensure we all get a fair shake. But still, we are difficult to categorize. 

There are about 577,000 voters registered in Alaska. 13% of those are registered Democrats. 25% are registered Republicans. All the rest, some 62% of Alaskan voters, are registered as No Party, Undeclared, or Other. If you combine all the Democrats and all the Republicans into one political party, the independents would outnumber them by almost double! 

Perhaps that is why we have the only independent governor in all 50 states. Perhaps that is why the State House Majority is a coalition of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans. Perhaps that is why Alyse Galvin (I) is polling within single digits of Alaska’s only Congressman. 

Free-thinking independents can pick and choose the best ideas and talent from anywhere. They are not beholden to the entrenched political establishment who only want to accumulate more power, rigidly refuse to change, and preserve the status quo. We need independent leaders and representatives that are responsible to us, the people. Our world is changing at an alarming rate. We need those who can be agile and open minded enough to rapidly adapt and implement real solutions in real time. We need leaders who are measured and reasonable to balance out extremist ideologies that are dangerous for our lands, waters, and peoples. We need a real budget that delivers real results for every Alaskan family, Tribe, and business. Now, more than ever, we need the proven leadership of this slate of independent candidates whom I enthusiastically endorse because they reflect the independent spirit of Alaska:

     Bill Walker for Governor
     Byron Mallott for Lt. Governor
     Alyse Galvin for Congress
     Dan Ortiz for State House District 36 

Thank you very much for your time. Please vote on Tuesday November 6th, 2018.

Sincerely,

Gavin Hudson
Metlakatla, Alaska

Editor's Note:

The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

Received October 10, 2018 - Published October 12, 2018

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