Candidate's name: Gabrielle LeDoux
Party: Republican
Date of birth: March 24, 1948
Occupation: Lawyer and legislator
Employment history: ---
Previous public offices held: Kodiak Island Borough Mayor (2001-2004); Alaska State House Representative, District 36 (2004-present)
Previous unsuccessful runs for office: Alaska State House Representative District 36 (2000)
Education: Graduate of La Mirada High School (1962-1966); University of Southern California (1966-1968); bachelor's from University of California Berkeley (1968-1970); law degree from UC Berekeley School of Law (1970-1973)
Military service: None
Spouse name: Kurt (deceased)
Children: Matthew, Sheree, Daniel (deceased)
Web site: voteledoux.com
E-mail: gabrielle@voteledoux.com
1. Why are you running for office?
I am running for office because I am tired of the same old politicians in Washington. I want to restore honor and integrity to Congress. I want to make the world just a little better place to live, work, and raise a family.
2. What is the most important issue in this election?
The most important issue in this election is ethics and accountability.
3. What specifically should Congress do, if anything, to address rising energy prices?
Congress must open up ANWR and streamline the permitting process for the construction of new refineries. Congress should also encourage the development of alternative energy sources.
4. If oil and gasoline prices continue to rise, could you support government price controls?
No. Price controls would worsen the problem leading to more shortages and black markets. The solution is to increase fuel supplies.
5. Do you support drilling in ANWR? If the answer is yes, tell us something new that you as a member of Congress can do to open the coastal plain to drilling.
Yes, I do support drilling in ANWR. As a member of Congress, I would work to influence the "non-believers." Much attention is paid to educating and influencing those who are already willing to open ANWR. However, we need to focus on developing relationships with those who are "on the fence" with regards to ANWR.
6. TransCanada has suggested the federal government can help the proposed Alaska gas line by acting as a "bridge shipper." That means the federal government would agree to buy enough gas to fill the line if necessary, or at least guarantee the equivalent revenue stream for the pipeline owner. Will you support legislation to do this?
Yes, although I doubt that this is likely to happen
7. Do you support offshore drilling in Bristol Bay?
Yes, I believe in responsible development of our natural resources.
8. What can the federal government or Congress do to further a natural gas pipeline should state measures such as an AGIA license fail to pass, or fail to "induce" a pipeline?
Congress can encourage the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expedite its permitting process.
9. Some say oil companies have leased vast public acreage and are now sitting on the leases without drilling. Point Thomson in Alaska has been mentioned as an example. Do you believe this has anything to do with our energy crunch?
For their part, the producers say that they are preparing for drilling in Point Thomson. I would say that their credibility is lacking since it appears that they start to drill only when their lease is about to expire. That being said, this impacts the energy crunch much less than the congressional ban on offshore drilling and drilling in ANWR and slow progress in developing alternative energies.
10. Rural Alaska has been hit particularly hard by high fuel prices. Are there specific steps Congress or a member of Congress should take to address this?
Rural Alaska, as well as the rest of the nation, will benefit from a federal energy policy that includes opening ANWR and developing alternative energy sources. The development of alternative energy sources, such as hydro, wind, and geothermal, is particularly important to our rural areas since many of them have these sources in abundance.
11. Should Congress continue President Bush's tax cuts to stimulate the economy?
Yes. Lower taxes promote spending, which will in turn stimulate the economy for everyday Americans.
12. How important a priority is reducing the federal deficit?
The reduction of the budget deficit should be a larger priority than it has been in recent years. The burden that is being placed on our children and grandchildren is a serious concern to me. I want to solve the problem through the reduction of wasteful government spending. I would support a balanced budget amendment.
13. Should the U.S. tax code be simplified? Is it fair?
I support the simplification of the U.S. tax code. Each year Americans are confronted with a complicated and confusing process. Our tax structure is not fair and taxes need to be lowered.
14. What should the future U.S. role in Iraq be?
I believe the U.S. must remain in Iraq until the region stabilizes and begin withdrawing our troops when our military leaders determine the safest method of doing so. I want all our troops home as soon as possible and will work to bring them home safely and with honor.
15. How long do you believe the U.S. occupation should continue?
Until Iraq is stabilized. I do not believe in timetables.
16. Should a date be set for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq? Explain.
No. See my response to question #15. In addition, we certainly cannot broadcast a timetable to our enemies.
17. What role should Congress have in deciding the kind of military approach the U.S. uses in Iraq?
Congress' role is and should remain that of appropriator of funds and the confirmation of capable cabinet and sub-cabinet advisors. It is critical that our troops always receive the funding they depend on. Congress cannot micromanage a war.
18. Under what circumstances, if any, would you support a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons?
I would support a pre-emptive strike on Iran in the event that we had incontrovertible proof of Iran's ability to obtain nuclear capabilities.
19. How good a job is the military and the Veterans Administration doing in providing ongoing care to soldiers and ex-soldiers who served in the war? What specifically would you do to improve services?
The VA is filled with dedicated professionals and it has improved substantially. However, there are still vets unable to receive help often due to a lack of facilities and personnel. There is still a problem with vets in rural areas receiving appropriate care. The Veterans Administration must work out an arrangement with the Native clinics in rural Alaska, so that vets can be treated in their own communities.
20. What role do human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases play in global warming:
None, some, most, or all? Explain. The data that we have on global warming in relation to the age of the earth is so miniscule that I am reluctant to speculate how much, if any, humans are doing to cause global warming.
21. What legislation currently in Congress comes closest to the policy you would advocate for dealing with climate change?
I am suspicious of any legislation that purports to deal with climate change as the data is miniscule at best. In addition, unless China, Russia, India, etc. have similar legislation, the result is to put our business at a competitive disadvantage without solving any problems.
22. Coastal erosion is a serious issue in a number or rural Alaska villages, which discussions about relocating some communities.
Do you believe this is appropriate or realistic? Explain. I think that there ought to be a discussion about relocation in response to erosion but it should be done respectfully and with everyone who has a stake in the outcome "at the table."
23. Is it appropriate to use the polar bear listing as a threatened species to limit oil and gas development in the Arctic or regulate distant greenhouse gas emissions? What other steps, if any, do you think government and industry should take to protect Alaska's polar bear population?
The current listing of the polar bear poses a serious threat to the economic future of Alaska. It is very possible to have strong economic development while being environmentally responsible. Economic development must continue to be a top priority on the North Slope. I recently visited Barrow and learned there is actually a problem with the polar bear population being too numerous and coming too close to the human population.
24. What's your position on the proposed Pebble mine in southwest Alaska? How do you plan to vote on the "Clean Water" initiative on the August ballot?
I am for the responsible development of our natural resources but I have serious concerns about Pebble mine. It should only be developed if there is absolutely incontrovertible proof that it will not pollute the water or destroy the fish. I am suspicious of the Clean Water initiative as it may shut down the entire mining industry statewide.
25. Are changes needed in the way congressional earmarks work? Under what circumstances should members of Congress be allowed to direct federal spending to specific projects in their district?
There are earmarks, and there are earmarks. Earmarks are necessary and important to Alaska; they provide us with funds for roads and other infrastructure we so desperately need. However, these earmarks must be obtained in an open and honest manner that best benefits Alaskans. The fact that there have been abuses does not justify abolishing the system.
26. What should Congress do, if anything, to help increase the supply of doctors in Alaska?
Congress must amend the Medicare payment schedule so that the payments for Medicare in Alaska fairly compensate physicians.
27. Some major Alaska fisheries have been "rationalized." That is, individual shares have been assigned to fishermen and even to processors. Do you support this approach for more of Alaska's fisheries?
I am against rationalization as it has harmed fishing communities such as Kodiak. Rationalization means fewer vessels which means fewer crew jobs and less money spent in a community. The federal government should not be involved in divvying up the supply of fish. The best fishermen should be the ones to catch the most fish.
