Underdog mayor candidates want to make a change

September 10, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

David Straub and Bruce Walden aren't your typical politicians. If you ask them, they say they aren't politicians at all.

But the two men - Straub from Willow and Walden from Palmer - say they have seen a Mat-Su Borough Assembly that is not serving the people as well as it should, and both want to use their democratic right to make a change.

While their three opponents - Jody Simpson, Curt Menard and Charlie Fannon - each have various experiences in public office, Straub and Walden are approaching the race with a common-man strategy.

Voters won't see any yard signs or fancy flyers from the men, since they're running grassroots campaigns largely out of their homes. They were the only candidates who filed for an exemption with the Alaska Public Offices Commission's campaign finance disclosure, indicating they do not plan to spend more than $5,000 during the race. They also are the only candidates who lack a full campaign staff. But their determination is unwavering, and both Straub and Walden stand firm on issues they will take with them to the Oct. 3 election.

In a recent interview at the Frontiersman, Straub related his experience running three Iditarod races to how he would preside over the borough as mayor. He said if he can get 16 dogs to work together for a 1,100-mile race, then he surely can communicate the needs of everyone in the borough.

Walden also falls back on his life experience when asked about his qualifications to fill the mayor's position. An ex-Special Forces soldier who retired in 2001, Walden spent seven and a half years as an intelligence sergeant, and said he predicted the events of Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City. He said his leadership mentality and ability to identify upcoming trends instilled in him by the military have given him key tools to be borough mayor.

Walden and Straub may not pack the political baggage their opponents have, but their displayed devotion to Alaska has driven them to compete against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Straub came to the state in 1996 to live out his dream of running the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A Kansas City transplant, Straub grew up in the construction business - something he said allows him to understand much of the borough's infrastructure - and began working with Princess Resorts to help fund his Iditarod quest.

He now holds the fastest last-place finish in the race.

Turning his attention to politics these days, Straub is sticking to his woodsman-type mentality, raising concerns over the future of the Mat-Su's unique trail system.

Although he realizes development is inevitable, Straub said he wants to see it done wisely and wants to educate local residents and decision makers about the use of the trail systems as new development quickly impedes on them with private property and new roads.

Walden, however, says the borough's development is in big trouble under current leadership. No one has looked ahead in much of the planning, he said, adding that, as mayor, he would have the foresight to plan wisely and get all that is best for the borough.

&#8220I am a combat-proven leader,” Walden said. &#8220I'm not going to stand by and allow higher government, or what have you, to push this borough around.”

The borough government could use some changes as well, Walden said. He disagrees with the borough hiring a manager who is not elected by the people, which goes against his Constitutionalist ways.

&#8220I believe that our forefathers would rise from the grave if they knew a borough had somebody running it who wasn't elected,” Walden said.

Straub sees some problems with the government as well, and expressed concern about the levels of bureaucracy a citizen has to go through to get answers

Referring again to his Iditarod and other trail experience, Straub talked about the many levels of government he had to go through in an attempt to get simple signs displayed on trails that mark creeks and other landmarks.

&#8220It's like pulling teeth,” he said. &#8220It's studies and we'll meet with so and so.”

So, Straub wants to downsize borough government, and make it so there is not as many people and levels that have to be navigated on the way to an answer.

Both men likely will struggle for recognition against the more widely known candidates, but that isn't fazing them.

Walden said he believes fellow ex-military residents will vote for him, with Straub thinking he will be the choice of voters up in Willow, where he lives.

With about a month to go until the Oct. 3 election, Straub and Walden have time to prove themselves. As in all politics, it will be up to the voters to make the final decision.

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

frontiersman.com