Ditching the "D" -- Non-partisn Burchell leaves Democrats

Perhaps the most exaggerated example of the Republican's dominance and veritable exit of the Democrats in Valley politics is the race for State House District 14 in which incumbent Vic Kohring is challenged by Peter Burchell, a Wasilla educator who dumped his Democratic party affiliation last February and changed his party status to undeclared. The Democrats have no candidate in Kohring's race, and he's unopposed in the Republican primary.

Kohring has said he'll make an issue of the re-registration.

"It will definitely be an issue, because a person should come out of the closet and show their true colors and affiliations," Kohring said.

Some Valley Democrats are also upset with Burchell.

"One of the things that saddens me is that some people, like Peter Burchell, feel that they have to remove that 'D' next to their name in order to run in the Valley," said Carolyn Covington, an active Democrat.

Burchell insists he dropped the affiliation to join the majority of Valley voters.

"I've been a Democrat, and now I've joined the majority of the Valley and they are independent," Burchell said. "… I'm not doing this because it makes it easier. I've lost the Democratic party funding. I've lost some acquaintances who are very politically active, and if I do this and don't make it, I'll live with that."

On a door-to-door outing last week, Burchell had no campaign volunteer with him, but demonstrated a sophistication beyond what might be expected of a rogue independent. He carries a clipboard in his car called a "walking list." It's similar to a mailing list and contains information that is available from the state but customized by commercial data wranglers who are paid by the candidates. Burchell's walking list shows the voter's name, party affiliation and voting frequency for the last four state elections. There is another column Burchell uses to gauge face-to-face meetings on a scale of one to five.

If the encounter scores a five, he might ask the voter for permission to place a sign on their property. A one or a two will be asked what issues they are concerned with, if they give the candidate any time at all. Threes and fours will likely be contacted by telephone during the days just prior to the election.

"You've got to play your best cards," Burchell said.

Kohring is no slouch either, when it comes to door-to-door campaigning. He claims to have knocked on 3,000 doors so far this summer.

Due to redistricting, Kohring is meeting some new voters this time around. District 14 includes the two precincts inside Wasilla city limits and stretches north to Government Peak Ridge. The previous Wasilla House District was District 26, and included Wasilla and precints south of town, such as Fairview Loop and Peters Creek across Knik Arm.

Kohring regards door-to-door campaigning as a way to explain his philosophy.

"When people really see what makes me click they don't see me as too far to the right. Once I explain it to them, they'll realize that Vic's not the right-wing radical that the Daily News wants to portray me as," he said.