Newcomers say folks want fresh ideas

It's the first time since his 2002 election to the seat that Stoltze, a Republican, has had to battle in the primary.

His challengers are 50-year-old Palmer High School teacher Kent Hermon and 29-year-old oil field environmental compliance consultant J.D. Hatley. The two men are neighbors on Maud Road in Butte, although they didn't know one another before signing up to run for public office. This is the first time either has raced for public office.

All three candidates are Alaska born and raised.

Hatley said he's in the race to combat what he believes is too much influence by special interests in Alaska politics.

"Everybody is so fed up with politicians right now. I get this all day long. People are like, 'I don't care who the incumbents are, we need fresh ideas,' " he said.

Hatley has ideas -- he said he'd like to put an end to property taxes and instead institute a statewide sales tax with the bulk of the profits dedicated to funding education. Local governments could tack on a few percent for their own operations, he said.

The district he's racing for is diverse, spread from Fairview Loop to Lazy Mountain, Butte and south to Chugiak and Peters Creek. Hatley said he's been spending as many as eight hours each day campaigning. He's had good feedback, he said, and he believes his hard work could spell victory on Aug. 26

"I think it's going to be very close," he said.

Hermon teaches special education at Palmer High. He's running, he said, because he and Stoltze disagree on critical issues.

"I consider him a friend. But because of his issues with public (employee) retirement and he keeps voting against any bill related to education ... instead of complaining, I just threw my name in the hat," Hermon said.

Hermon said he's not happy with the current public employee retirement plan. And he doesn't like that Stoltze voted against an education funding formula that changed how state money is allocated to schools.

Stoltze said he agrees there are bugs to be worked out with the current public employee retirement plan. He and other legislators believed immediate action was needed to address problems with the previous plan, namely the $8 billion to $10 billion gap between the retirement fund's assets and the amount of money needed to pay public employees enrolled in the program.

"When we're dealing with unfunded liabilities that are the size of the permanent fund ... let's just say there were billions of reasons I felt compelled to vote for that one," he said.

Stoltze said he hasn't opposed every education bill, but he did oppose a bill changing the way the state funds education.

The bill didn't treat the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District fairly, he said.

Hermon said he recognizes taking on an incumbent is difficult. And although Stoltze has been busy on legislative duties much of the summer, Hermon has also been away commercial fishing until last week. Hermon said he knew he might have compromised his chances at unseating Stoltze.

"I realized I probably don't stand a chance, but I figured I'd get my name out there this time and if I'm still simmering in another year, I'll start earlier," Hermon said.

Stoltze said his primary race has been difficult because the state Legislature has continued work over the summer on a natural gas line and energy rebates.

I don't know where the myth of a part-time legislator came from," Stoltze joked.

But he said he's confident that the district he represents appreciates the things he's done in office, like helping pass a law in 2006 that designated land near Jim Creek as the Knik Public Use Area, and increasing Alaska State Trooper presence in the Butte area, which has also cut down on problems there.

Stoltze said he shares the broad views his competitors espouse: reasonable government, less influence from special interests and even a desire for an all-Alaska natural gas line route.

But he believes he has an important edge.

"I think the difference is my experience and what I've been able to do for the district. I've put in the hard work, and I think I've done it honorably," he said.

Whoever wins the Aug. 26 primary race will face Fairview Loop resident Beverly Serrano, a Democrat, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Find Daily News reporter Rindi White online at adn.com/contact/rwhite or call 352-6709.