Menard 'surprised' at Green's decision to drop out of Senate race

Frontiersman staff

WASILLA — Senate candidate Linda Menard said she was surprised to hear Republican Senate President Lyda Green will not seek re-election and is dropping out of the race.

Green announced her decision in a letter addressed to Alaskans Thursday.

“I have been truly blessed and honored that the wonderful, hard-working residents of the Mat-Su Valley have allowed me to represent them in the Alaska state Senate for the past 14 years,” she says in the letter. “So it is with a powerful sense of gratitude and of humility that I am announcing my withdrawal from the race.”

Green, who was first elected to the state Senate in 1994, was not immediately available for comment late Thursday evening.

Although a fellow Republican, Green has been a political foe of Gov. Sarah Palin and she cites philosophic differences with Palin over the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act as the main reason for abandoning her campaign to seek a fifth term.

“During this special session, it has become clear to me that a large majority of my fellow legislators intend to support Governor Palin on her AGIA plan for TransCanada,” she says in the letter. “I am completely opposed to that policy.”

Green goes on to write, “it has also become clear to me that a very large majority of my constituents also support and believe in Governor Palin’s oil and gas policies. But I sincerely believe that Governor Palin is wrong. I am concerned that her oil and gas policy will lead to terrible consequences for Alaska. I must make a choice.”

Menard, who was challenging Green to be on the Republican ticket for the general election, said she was gearing up for a tough battle for Juneau.

"I thought I was in for quite a fight," Menard said, "but I was up for it, and I felt we had the energy to take on the race."

When announcing she would run against Green in April, Menard said, “The timing seems to be right” for a change in Mat-Su representation.

Menard, who is a Palin supporter, said that, if elected, she would go to Juneau “to work with the governor instead of against her.”

In responding to Green's assertion Palin is wrong about her oil and gas policies, Menard said it's obvious Green has struggles with the governor.

"Maybe if she would’ve sat in on the hearings and heard all the experts, maybe perhaps she would have seen it in some different light," Menard said.

Green says that during her tenure in the state Senate she “never had a strong, personal desire to be in office” and that she does “not only represent my opinion, I represent the people.”

Menard is now the sole Republican vying for Green's Senate seat. Her Democratic opponent, Erik Cordero Giorgana, an unknown in the Alaska political scene, could not be reached for comment.

Menard officially kicked off her campaign at the AT&T Sport Center in Wasilla Thursday. The longtime Valley resident and wife of Mat-Su Borough Mayor Curt Menard said she has great confidence in her campaign.

"On a scale from one to 10," Menard said. "I feel it's at least a nine."

Text of Green's letter

Dear Alaskans,

I have been truly blessed and honored that the wonderful, hard-working residents of the Mat-Su Valley have allowed me to represent them in the Alaska state Senate for the past 14 years, so it is with a powerful sense of gratitude and of humility that I am announcing my withdrawal from the race. I will not seek reelection to the State Senate.

These have been rewarding years and interesting times.

As the Valley's senior Senator, I have always tried to stay in touch with the Valley. I do not only represent my opinion, I represent the people.

During this special session, it has become clear to me that a large majority of my fellow legislators intend to support Governor Palin on her AGIA plan for TransCanada. I am completely opposed to that policy.

Since returning to the Valley, it has also become clear to me that a very large majority of my constituents also support and believe in Governor Palin's oil and gas policies.

But I sincerely believe that Governor Palin is wrong. I am convinced that her oil and gas policy will lead to terrible consequences for Alaska. I must make a choice.

I have never had a strong personal desire to be in office, for me the decision has always been about public service and doing my duty.

My first priority has always been to my principles of free markets, low taxes, individual freedom, pro-family values and a strong economy. Secondly, I have always believed I represented the majority of the Valley. Today, I recognize that on the key issues of oil and gas policy, that is simply no longer the case. It is time for me to withdraw.

I am proud of the work, the legislation, the progress I have been a part of as a Senator. I am thankful and filled with joy for the friends and colleagues I have been able to work with.

I have enjoyed my years in public service, I can never thank the people of the Valley enough for that honor. I wish all the best to the many dedicated public servants who have served, continue to serve and will serve. Good luck, and God Bless.

Lyda Green