Election preview Senate E: After appointment in February, senator seeks return to Juneau

Sen. Mike Shower made an immediate splash upon arriving in Juneau in February to replace Mike Dunleavy. Shower emulated his predecessor and did not join the caucus, causing a stir with GOP leadership. Shower voted with Democrats on a number of issues, and admits he hates partisan politics and has no higher aspirations for elected office.

But Shower, a 50-year-old FedEx Pilot, will have to defeat Su Kay in the race for Senate seat E.

This is Shower’s first campaign after the confirmation process, and he defeated Randall Kowalke in the Primary, garnering more than twice the votes of his opponent. Shower has 24 years of experience in the Air Force, and has lived in Alaska since 1993.

Shower focused on the big three issues facing the state during a debate at Mat-Su College.

“I don’t like the direction of the finances as far as the budget and how it’s increased. I don’t like where we sit as far as crime goes in the state and I don’t like where we’re headed in the permanent fund, which I think is very important to our economic future,” Shower said.

Shower is part of a growing number of Valley legislators who are not joining the party caucus.

“I’m a rebellious fighter pilot that doesn't like to be told how he’s going to vote, what he’s going to do. Oh, the system, that’s just how it works. I go, ‘that’s not the right answer.’ If we’re just doing business because, well that’s the way we’ve always done it and you have to work inside the system, then change the system! It’s clearly not working on every level. Maybe we need to do it a little better,” Shower said.

Shower is eager to continue work in the Senate, regardless of party affiliation.

“I think it shows willingness one to work across party lines,” Shower said. “I’m not intimidated by the Senate leadership. If you’re not doing the right thing, then I’m going to find out a way to make you do the right thing.”

Shower described the image of crime in the Valley at the Mat-Su College debate, and noted that his wife has begun to arm herself while gardening due to the increased crime rates statewide. Shower sees the short-term economic future as reliant on oil, but hopes to diversify resource development in the near future.

“We are a resource state so we’re going to have do do that for the short term. We need to find other industries up here, because we are a wild state when it comes to the budget, and the reason is, it’s because we’re not diversified. We’re not going to get away from oil and gas for a while, because that’s who we are. So we have to develop that responsibly,” Shower said.

Kay earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2002 at 45 years old to help support her children, some of whom are disabled and require specialized care. Kay had her first child just out of high school, and knows the hardships of providing for a family on a single income.

“I already lived in a car with kids before. I didn’t want to do that again, so I decided to get my butt to school,” Kay said.

Kay has done award-winning work with the SouthCentral Foundation since 2003. Kay was awarded the “Living Our Values” Award from SCF for her work at Benteh Nuutah.

“If I’m going to work for anybody and support anybody on my time and labor, it’s going to be the Native people of Alaska. I love my patients,” Kay said.

Kay has been on the front lines of the state’s budget crisis, with a house that has been continually under construction for decades and seeing unnecessary expenses in the medical field.

“I know where the pockets of money are. We don’t need to cut medicaid. A suction tip shouldn’t cost 11 dollars,” Kay said.

Kay was shocked to discover the process for determining candidates when she became involved in the Democratic party.

“I just wanted to get to know my neighbors when this whole thing kind of blew up into the Senate race,” Kay said.

I’m a resource you are a resource we need to gather together in our communities, in our immediate family, our immediate communities, and out in district communities because we are going to be leading the United States in industry because of our climate and because we have the opportunity,” Kay said.

Kay does not differ from Shower in that she is willing to work with anyone, regardless of party affiliation.

“Diversity, inclusion, and cooperation. Those are my big three,” Kay said. “Those three things I think makes me qualified to make negotiations and push a button.”

Kay has also spent time as a summer camp director, working with the 4-H. She has five children and grew up in Fairbanks.

“What they need to know is that their one voice is the voice that will change the direction,” Kay said.

Kay has spent time in Juneau previously as a lobbyist, and was honored to be featured on Lyda Green’s campaign literature, even though she was not affiliated with the same party.

“That was a big win for me, for her to reach across, respect my opinion, even though she knew about my motives. That was my win,” Kay said.

Kay has been an advocate for special needs individuals, and interacted with Gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy while he was Senator. She offered to give back money that her family received from the state for medical care, and was shocked when he said it wasn’t enough.

“Nickels and dimes matter!” Kay said. She decided in 2015 that she would get more involved, although she still cares for her sons and must keep a tight schedule with her work and political aspirations.

“I’m a dental hygienist, and everything else has to do with family.” Kay said.