Valley representative confidence without caucus

WASILLA — Results from the general election on Nov. 6 have been determined for over a week, but races still undecided in Fairbanks could change the majority leadership in both bodies. One Valley legislator is sticking to his campaign promise, and wants to put a repeal of SB91 as his first priority.

“During the press conference, (Rep. Dave Talerico) was asked about SB91 which is very important to my district, and he didn’t have an answer. I am interested in knowing that answer,” Rep. David Eastman, of Wasilla, said.

Eastman has not yet agreed to join the Republican caucus, which stands at 20 members, still not a majority of the body. On Wednesday, absentee ballots counted in Fairbanks put two Democratic candidates ahead of the Republican incumbents with absentee ballots yet to be counted. Eastman routinely votes against the majority, and sometimes against every other member in the house.

“The question is knowing that there are people in that 21 who are committed to repealing SB91 and there are some, probably who aren’t. Now begins the question of, all right, between those two competing agendas which is going to be favored by my support,” Eastman said.

Eastman is confident that the Republicans will have enough to form a majority and that Governor-Elect Mike Dunleavy, from Wasilla, will be more positive in interactions with Valley legislators.

“I think the (Gov. Bill Walker) administration was going so far in an opposite direction of where Mat-Su residents need to go that there was constant friction. I think you’ll see that dispelled immediately once Dunleavy is inaugurated,” Eastman said.