Parnell emphasizes state's opportunities

June 25, 2006

By DARRELL BREESE

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Alaska wasn't even a state in 1957 when Pat Parnell served in the Army at Fort Richardson, but he found a land of limitless opportunity, which led him to move his family north from California in 1972.

Now, 34 years later, his son Sean sees a similar future for the state, one filled with hope and opportunity. That vision is the core of Sean Parnell's campaign to become the Republican nominee for the office of lieutenant governor.

&#8220I believe that Alaska is still the Last Frontier,” Parnell said. &#8220I want to see the state move forward in such a manner to provide my children and grandchildren the same opportunity that brought my father north from California.”

Parnell, a former state representative (1992-96) and state senator (1997-2000), lives in Anchorage with his wife and two daughters.

&#8220Moving the family back and forth was too much,” Parnell said, explaining why he left public office after six years in Juneau. &#8220My girls were in two schools a year while I was serving, and that was too much to ask of them.”

His daughters are in junior high and high school now, and if elected to serve as lieutenant governor, Parnell said his family could reside in Juneau year round.

During his final term in the Senate, he served as co-chair of the Finance Committee and managed to help produce a balanced budget.

&#8220Things were a lot different then than they are today,” Parnell said. &#8220Oil was just $9 a barrel, and the state was facing a billion-dollar deficit.”

After leaving office, he worked as a legal consultant for ConocoPhillips before going to work for the state of Alaska as deputy oil and gas commissioner. He is currently a partner with the Patton Boggs law firm in Anchorage.

&#8220I believe that my past relationship with the oil industry isn't a negative, as some may view it,” Parnell explained. &#8220I spent three years working for them out of a 20-year career, the rest of the time was spent working for the state and in the private sector. When I worked for the oil company, I learned how they work. I believe that I can apply that experience and knowledge to help the state negotiate with the oil companies and reach agreements that are in the best interest of the state.”

While working as the deputy commissioner for oil and gas, he helped negotiate the Trans-Canada gas pipeline plan, but he is reserving complete support for the plan because it lacks a work commitment.

&#8220I believe that Alaskans don't want a company warehousing oil and gas in the ground and not working to bring it to market,” Parnell said of the current plan. &#8220Without a commitment to begin work by a certain date, that is what the state will be getting.”

Parnell faces a challenge from Jerry Ward of Nikiski in the August Republican primary. While he said he respects his former Senate colleague, Parnell believes his experience and past leadership make him the better candidate.

&#8220I was selected to several committee leadership positions by my fellow legislators and have been able to build bridges across party lines to get legislation passed,” Parnell said. &#8220The experience I have from sitting at the table with the oil companies negotiating for the state also sets me apart from Jerry (Ward).”

With six different candidates seeking the Republication nomination for governor, Parnell said he had no preference for a running mate.

&#8220I've been reaching out and building relationships with each of the three (major candidates). Working on establishing the trust necessary to work together,” Parnell said. &#8220I will do my best to serve with whatever candidate is elected.”

Parnell said he believes the surge of support his campaign received since his formal announcement is based on his past record of service and the trust he developed in his years of service.

When asked whether the Republican Party is at a crossroads in Alaska, with so many different candidates and differing views on issues, Parnell said it is the state that is at the crossroads.

&#8220I like to think about Alaska first and not the party,” Parnell said.

&#8220In my lifetime, I haven't seen the opportunity that exists now in the state. Whether that opportunity be through the gas pipeline or developing an extraordinary education system is yet to be determined.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@ frontiersman.com.