Alaska’s Key Elections: Jared Goecker & Ben Carpenter

In our most recent episode of STAND, two Republican candidates challenging incumbent state senators highlight their campaigns.

Jared Goecker, running in Chugiak-Eagle River against Kelly Merrick, discusses his strategy fighting against entrenched union interests via grassroots campaigns. Goecker, motivated to reform Alaska’s criminal justice system as a result of his brother’s murder, emphasizes being tough on crime and fiscal responsibility. He criticizes his opponent, Kelly Merrick, for voting with Democrats 90% of the time, despite representing a conservative district. He points to her union connections as a factor in her lack of accurate representation.

Joining us from further south, Representative Ben Carpenter is challenging Senator Jesse Bjorkman in the Kenai Peninsula. Carpenter focuses on reining in government spending and protecting the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). He opposes the proposed defined benefits pension system, warning it would bankrupt the state. He also advocates for education reform through charter schools and a teacher’s bill of rights.

Both races exemplify the broader struggle within Alaska’s Republican party between those forming coalitions with Democrats and those working to accurately represent their constituents. The candidates argue that despite Republicans holding numerical majorities in the legislature, Democratic policies prevail because some Republican senators have formed majorities with Democrats, effectively giving them control of key committees and legislation.

With early voting approaching, these races could determine Alaska’s direction on issues from criminal justice to education reform to fiscal policy.

June 27, 2024 @ 7:30pm

The Fight for Freedom in America and Israel

Professor Alan Dershowitz

Trump's Impeachment Attorney
Harvard Law Professor, Emeritus

Follow: