Shower eager to get to work as District E Senator

WASILLA — Senate Seat E finally has a Senator. After Senator Mike Dunleavy resigned to focus on his gubernatorial campaign, Mike Shower was confirmed Monday night to represent District E.

The republican party originally submitted the names of Representative George Rauscher, Todd Smoldon and Tom Braund. Governor Walker nominated Assemblyman Randall Kowalke. Vicki Wallner was later resubmitted as a replacement for Braund, who withdrew. Governor Walker then nominated Shower.

“I know mike i support him 110 percent,” said Wallner. “We have a lot of the same thoughts on things. I think that he’s going to do well and he’s a real intelligent, real sharp and I think the Valley is going to be lucky to have him in there… I don’t think Mike, nor myself pictured ourselves being in the legislature; we’re just regular everyday people that want to make a difference.”

Smoldon spoke at the mid-session Town Hall for legislators at the Palmer Senior Center on Saturday.

“Mike here an excellent choice for this seat because you’re a man of courage and honor,” said Smoldon.

Shower compared being elected the Senate midway through the session to his Air Force Training. Shower spent four years in the Air Force Academy and another 20 an an enlisted officer from 1990 to 2010. During his time, Shower instructed a six month, doctorate-level weapons training course. He compares joining the legislature to arriving at the Top Gun weapons course two months in. He says many of the processes of state government are similar to the military, such as taking an oath. Shower says that the self governance in the Air Force, left largely up to the cadets once they take an oath as an officer and agree to the honor code, has helped prepare him.Though his military experience somewhat subdued his political activity, as his politics were not supposed to infringe on his ability to serve civilian leadership.

“You have to learn how to handle that before you accept a commission,” said Shower.

Shower spoke on his desire to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

“By the time I got there I’m beyond the ability to introduce legislation. Other than that, I’m trying to get smart on the issues and figure out where I would vote,” said Shower. “There’s so many things to wrap my arms around. It’s like drinking from a firehose times 10. I’m trying to narrow down my focus to most important things. What's most important for me is to get my arms around this budget.”