Ogan recall campaign may be signal of general voter frustration

Frontiersman editorial board

Apparently playing off of an early campaign slogan, some constituents in Sen. Scott Ogan's district have begun the process to recall their senator.

The effort has been named, "Ogan is So Gone," likely a tongue-in-cheek reference to Ogan's original campaign slogan, "Ogan is Pro Gun." Make no mistake about it, though, the Ogan recall effort is not laughing matter. It's the first legislator recall campaign in Alaska, and it may be an indicator of a general sense of dissatisfaction and worry throughout the state. Whether the recall is a bellwether for which way the entire electoral flock is headed or not, it should send a clear message to legislators from the Mat-Su.

At the core of the recall effort is a sense that Ogan has turned his back on his constituents, and that he has placed the interests of Evergreen Resources Inc., an Outside natural gas developer, ahead of the wishes of his constituents. Ogan, while serving as the chairman of the House Resources Committee, worked as a consultant for Evergreen, collecting a $40,000 salary for his efforts to smooth the company's expansion of operations in the Valley. Cries of conflict of interest resonated throughout some parts of the borough, and eventually Ogan resigned from his position with the company. Still, he never conceded to an actual conflict, but cited instead respected friends and colleagues who expressed concern over even the appearances of conflict.

Ogan also was perceived as unresponsive to his constituents. He failed to attend several public meetings concerning the coal-bed methane issue, and he canceled a press conference when he learned several of his constituents would be in attendance. Following the press conference Ogan made it clear that he believed the media had leaked information to his detractors to create a media event. Those statements and others blaming Outside environmentalists, the media and so-called "Chicken Littles" for his troubles, have spawned several letters to the editor wondering why the senator won't take responsibility for the discord that has plagued his district in recent months.

Rather than tackle the issue directly, Ogan has chosen to lash out against the press and some of his constituents at several public meetings, including a student-related event at Wasilla High School. His tirade at a Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce meeting caused a buzz for several days, and the senator spent several minutes on the senate floor repeating the same mantra of victimization as the recent session opened.

Whether the recall effort succeeds or not, it should be seen as a message to Ogan that he is not in touch with many people in his district. It may also be a valuable lesson to other legislators: Voters' patience is not infinite, and we're near the end of it.