Opinions

It's politics as usual as Walker ditches Landfield

Gov. Bill Walker had another chance to be show Alaska that he is a different kind of governor -- one that bucks the trend of politicians that generally choose public relations over standing up for the decision he made amid adversity.

As I have written before, many of us expected Gov. Walker to be a different kind of governor. It's become increasingly clear that, on that issue, we have been sold a bill of goods.

Walker appointed Jeff Landfield to the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct, a commission that handles ethics complaints against judges. The nomination was withdrawn after the governor was made aware that there were photos of Jeff, which many considered controversial, circulating around various legislative offices.

Many of the photos were of a speedo-clad Lanfield surrounded by women in bikinis. The photos were controversial because Landfield is seen holding a woman's breasts and women with their hands in his genital region.

I've known Jeff for a couple of years. I've known him to be a smart guy with a good head for politics; a person who considers every issue based on its merits rather than ideology, and a guy that likes to work hard and play hard.

Landfield is a local information technology professional. He challenged Sen. Lesil McGuire in the 2012 primary election and did surprisingly well. The 28-year-old unknown candidate was able to garner nearly 44 percent of the vote against the incumbent McGuire. He was also a co-host of a Walker/Mallott fundraiser. He is also the current president of the Federation of Community Councils, secretary of the board for the Alaska Institute for Justice and sits on, and is a past chair for, the Chugach Electric Bylaws Committee. He has also expressed his intentions to run for McGuire's Senate seat again in 2016.

An expert on Russian politics, Landfield has made many trips to Russia and Ukraine. In fact, he just recently returned from a three-week trip, which included heading into Crimea and discussing the recent annexation with locals in the area.

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There is nothing new about a nominee's name being withdrawn because of controversial photos coming to light. That is politics as usual. After the nomination is withdrawn, it generally creates a little bit of buzz in the media and then the issue fades away as though it never happened. One major difference in this case, however, is that these photos didn't "come to light" -- anybody that knew anything about Landfield knew these photos existed.

Walker certainly knew Jeff Landfield. Even though Walker's spokesperson, Grace Jang, tried to make it sound like Landfield was brought to the governor's attention by Craig Fleener, there can be no doubt that Walker knew Landfield.

Jeff Landfield was friends with Walker on his personal Facebook page and co-hosted a political fundraiser for the Walker/Mallott campign. In the email that was sent out to those chosen to co-host that event, campaign coordinator Tessa Linderman said, "This is being sent to several people whom Bill specifically is requesting to cohost a fundraiser." It would be hard to argue that Walker had little to no knowledge of Landfield and his personality if he "specifically requested" him to be a co-host of a fundraiser.

As Walker's spokesperson Grace Jang said, Landfield is a young guy. He is of a generation that is more willing to challenge social norms and sexual mores. He is a freethinking and energetic young man who lives his life in a manner consistent with those who often scream "YOLO!" (You only live once). He's inclined to think in more open and free European terms in regard to sexual attitudes.

Landfield made a statement on his Facebook page. He believes that this has to do with the generation gap. He says, "Personally, I think this is a generational issue. I am 30 and grew up in the age of digital cameras, smart phones and social media. Many of my generation have told me that the potential for publicity such as this is the exact reason they do not want to get involved in public service."

Walker had an opportunity here to make a statement. He could have used this issue to stand up and show Alaska that he is above the politics-as-usual mentality. He could have done the unexpected and said that Facebook photos aren't an indicator of how good of a job Landfield would do as a member of the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct. Instead he did what everybody expected him to do. He did what Parnell and Murkowski would have done, rather than bucking that trend and supporting his pick.

This is a pretty minor issue, that's true, but the manner in which it was handled is a big indicator that politics as usual is alive and well in the Walker administration.

Mike Dingman is a fifth-generation Alaskan born and raised in Anchorage. He is a former UAA student body president and has worked, studied and volunteered in Alaska politics since the late 90s. Email, michaeldingman@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com

Mike Dingman

Mike Dingman is a fifth-generation Alaskan born and raised in Anchorage. He is a former UAA student body president and has worked, studied and volunteered in Alaska politics since the late '90s.

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