Challenger Steve Lindbeck: Alaska needs new leadership in Congress

Alaska's future belongs to all of us. Even in times of economic turmoil, a changing Arctic Ocean, promising oil and gas opportunities and a growing entrepreneurial culture mean Alaska's future is bright if we make the right decisions now.

I'm running for Congress against Don Young because Alaska families and workers face economic challenges we've never seen before. This November, it's time for a representative who will always put Alaska first and is up to the challenges of building a new future for our state.

In the 40-plus years I've lived in Alaska since moving to the military base on Kodiak Island with my family, I've had the great privilege to work with Alaskans in every corner of the state. As general manager of Alaska Public Media, I inherited a $2 million deficit on my first day on the job – and, eight years later, left with $3 million in reserves after making the tough decisions to return the organization to sound financial management.

As executive director of the Alaska Humanities Forum for nine years, I worked in villages and Native communities across our state on cultural and community projects to strengthen Alaska's rich heritage and traditions.

A deep understanding of Alaska and the ability to make the tough decisions to do what's right for our state is the kind of leadership I'll bring to Congress.

[Don Young no longer puts Alaskans first]

While I respect Congressman Young's 43 years of service, it's clear that he continues to look out mostly for himself. Just two years ago, Young was reprimanded by the House Ethics Committee for accepting illegal gifts uncovered by an FBI investigation – and was forced to pay back $60,000 in trips, flights and gifts.

This year, Don Young stayed silent while accepting $300,000 from the Louisiana company that ran the Kulluk oil rig aground – a company that now could outsource 200 good-paying Alaska jobs to Louisiana workers and put Prince William Sound at risk. Behavior like this is why former Republican Speaker John Boehner "forced Young to step down as ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee … because of the ongoing criminal investigations."

Young's light regard for ethical standards and the rule of law are distractions that have continued to cost Alaska. But throughout my grassroots campaign, I've traveled to Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Sitka, Petersburg, Fairbanks, Homer, Seward, Akiak and communities across our state to talk with voters and local leaders about what Alaska needs and what our future holds.

[Steve Lindbeck announces run for Congress against Don Young]

In Congress, I'll work with Democrats, Republicans or independents to do what's right for our state. I'm committed to supporting Alaska's traditional industries and working to build new ones.

On Day One, I'll get to work on a national infrastructure bill – fighting to build new deep-water ports, bridges, roads and airports here in Alaska. I'll stand up to national Democrats by supporting environmentally responsible exploration in ANWR and the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. I'll back additional leasing and production in NPR-A, push for federal lease revenue sharing for impacted Alaska communities and support responsible mining projects around the state.

It's also time we made new investments in Alaska's broadband infrastructure so that both urban and rural communities can take full advantage of the internet. I'll champion renewable energy projects so we can reduce the cost of fuel in rural areas – and I'll work to pass the Magnuson-Stevens Act so we ensure continued sound management of Alaska's fisheries.

As the son of a career Navy officer and Pearl Harbor survivor, I'll be a staunch advocate for Alaska's veterans and our military bases. As someone who worked my way through college with summer jobs as a cannery worker, bus driver, furniture mover and sandblaster, I'll work for Alaska students to champion affordable college education by expanding Pell Grants, reducing interest rates and supporting greater access to technical and vocational training.

Things may be changing in Alaska – but by boosting our economy to bring better, good-paying jobs, we shouldn't be afraid to seize the opportunities coming our way.

On Nov. 8, the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – and I humbly ask for your vote to be Alaska's representative. We need a congressman who will always put Alaska first. It's just time.

Steve Lindbeck is Alaska's Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. He has been general manager of Alaska Public Media, executive director of the Alaska Humanities Forum and was a  reporter and editor for the Anchorage Daily News and Anchorage Times.

The views expressed here are the writer's and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email to  commentary@alaskadispatch.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@alaskadispatch.com.