Primary vote decides candidates, issues

MAT-SU — Polls open today for Alaska’s 2008 statewide primary elections, continuing what has already been a busy political year for local, state and national candidates.

Locally, voters can cast ballots between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at polling locations in their districts in the Mat-Su Valley. To find a polling place, voters can call 1-888-383-8683 or 269-8683 and enter a voter ID number or Social Security number.

This year’s primary will help decide the political futures of longtime politicians U.S. Rep. Don Young and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. Both men are being challenged by a host of candidates looking to unseat the embattled incumbents.

Locally, races for state House and Senate seats are heavy on Republican candidates with a thin Democratic ticket. The area’s two Senate Seat G candidates — Republican Linda Menard and Democrat Erick Cordero — are both running unopposed in the primary. Following is a breakdown of ccndidates and issues on primary ballots.

• In District 13, incumbent Rep. Carl Gatto will take on David J. Parks and Florence Scott for the Republican nomination. David Cheezem, the Democratic candidate in District 13, is running unopposed.

• In District 14, Republican Rep. Wes Keller, who was appointed to the seat last year, is running unopposed in the primary. His Democratic opponent in the general election, Rose Smith, is also unopposed.

• In District 15, Republican incumbent Rep. Mark Neuman will face Trapper Creek resident April Moore to move on to the general elections. Lew Dischner, the district’s Democrat, is unopposed in the primary.

• In District 16, Chugiak Republican Rep. Bill Stoltze will face Justin D. “J.D.” Hatley and Kent Hermon in the primary. Democrat Beverly Serrano is unopposed.

• Ballot Measure 1 seeks to establish an Alaska Gaming Commission within the state Department of Revenue and chance gaming laws.

• Ballot Measure 2 seeks to amend the current bill banning same-day airborne shooting to include grizzly bears.

• Ballot Measure 3 would create a voluntary program of public funding for state election campaigns.

• Ballot Measure 4 is seeking to impose two water quality standards on new, large-scale metallic mineral mining operations in Alaska.

For more information on the primary elections, including the four ballot measures, visit the state’s Division of Elections Web site at ltgov.state.ak.us/elections.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.