Musings about the November election

On Nov. 7, I was handily defeated in my bid to be the representative in the Alaska Legislature for District 27. I was handily defeated by incumbent Scott Ogan. I had a very good time running. I had fun. I learned a lot. Now I am making my report to the citizens of District 27.

In campaigning, Scott, Larry Wood (the A.I.P. candidate) and I appeared together several times. We got to know one another. I believe we genuinely ended up liking one another.

At no time did any of us make disparaging remarks about each other. We found that we had major differences and we talked about those differences. I believe the behavior of all three of us can become a standard for future elections. There is no residual anger that must be disputed.

I have talked with both Larry and Scott since the election. In my conversation with Scott we agreed that we would work together in areas of agreement for the betterment of the people in the district. I will continue to try to convince Scott that some of my convictions have merit and need to be translated in community action. He will probably try to do the same with me.

There are some thank you's that should be publicly shared. We were hosted for public debates by a variety of organizations - the community councils in Upper Knik, the Butte and Sutton, the Parent Teacher Organization at Glacier View School, the Palmer Rotary Club. The Mat-Su school principals and teachers hosted a debate at Vagabond Blues. VALUE, a coalition of local labor unions, sponsored the "Depot Debate."

I regretted that the traditional debate sponsored by the Palmer Chamber of Commerce did not take place. And, of course, Public Television Channel 7 did their usual good job with their "running" series. We received some coverage by Channel 11 news, and Channel 2 did some interviewing. We would like more television coverage, but what we got was appreciated.

A special word should be mentioned about our appearances at two of our District 27 high schools. They were not designed to garner votes, but to encourage young people to participate in future elections. We all felt good about participating in the educational exercise.

The debate at Palmer High School was special in that it was completely student operated. It was moderated by students and all the questions came from the students. Our time at the new Pathways Alternative High School was also very satisfying. The student participation was lively and intelligent. We offered ourselves to Colony High School, but staff was unresponsive.

And then our local newspaper. The Frontiersman gave a significant amount of space to publish candidate answers to the questions that the newspaper staff put forward, and they printed Spectrum articles by candidates. All this was appreciated. However, in talking with staff, I learned the Frontiersman simply does not have sufficient staff to cover the campaign activities the way they would like.

I believe this. Ideally what candidates say on the campaign trail should be treated as news, but it takes reporters to do it. That is what happens in our American elections on national and state levels. It brings the candidates' views under real scrutiny. If future local candidates are to run on issues and ideas rather than signs and sound bites, we have to find some way of getting their messages out. I believe reporters pursuing candidates and recording what they hear and see in the pages of the Frontiersman is our best bet.

I am not suggesting that the Frontiersman was unfair in anything they did or reported. I would like to see them add staff or redo staff priorities so that election campaigns can be more thoroughly reported. I take note of the job the Frontiersman does covering local sports. They do an excellent job. I do not know how their sports writer gets to so many ball games. I would like to see as much attention given to the campaign trail as is given to the football field.

And last, I compliment the electorate. While the 57 percent turnout in District 27 is still not as high as I would like to see, it was the highest of any district in the state of Alaska.

Congratulations, Scott. May you serve us all well over the next two years. Rest assured that you will be challenged again in 2002.

The Rev. Howard Bess challenged incumbent Rep. Scott Ogan for the House District 27 seat on Nov. 7. He is the pastor of the Church of the Covenant.