Dems switch candidates in District 10

HOUSTON — Two months and a week from election day, Alaska Democrats have switched their District 10 House candidate.

Christian Hartley, who was the only candidate and received all 419 votes in the Aug. 16 Democratic primary, stepped aside last week, clearing the way for the Dems to tap Patricia Faye-Brazel, who moved to Alaska from Vermont in 1997, and most recently, was the appointed designee of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign in Alaska.

While living in Vermont, Faye-Brazel said she worked with Sanders on campaigns and causes, and was the leader of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition in Burlington.

Hartley said he stepped aside for professional reasons. Having applied for the position of Houston Fire Chief, vacated by Tom Hood in July, Hartley believed it would be improper for him to also be seeking political office.

“I feel like the person in that position (Houston Fire Chief) needs to not be political at all,” Hartley said. “I don’t think it would be ethical.”

Faye-Brazel cited her experience working with Alaskan Native Tribes, the Mat-Su Regional Urgent Care Center, her work with the police commission, tax commission, Elks Club, Lions Club and her status as point-person for Sanders’ presidential campaign, as her chief qualifications.

“With the tribes I would do a lot of negotiation, grant management, grant writing, program development — a lot of planning and structural stuff,” she said. “I think that for many years, the northern tier of this district has been pretty much ignored. I’d like us to have some of the same opportunities larger cities have in support from the state.”

In the Nov. 8 general election, Faye-Brazel will go head-to-head with David Eastman, a firefighter from Wasilla, who defeated incumbent Wes Keller 45 to 32 percent in the Aug. 16 Republican primary.

Looking to overcome not only a heavily Republican electorate in her district, but the name-recognition advantage Eastman gained in his primary, the Faye-Brazel campaign has hired Jeffrey Eide to manage it.

“Patricia has been involved with public works for quite a while and she has an extensive political history, having been a part of things,” Eide said. “Seeing things misrepresented in District 10 was an opportunity for her to really stand up with people — everyone in her district.”