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I’ll take results
By Paulette Simpson
Too many politicians spend their airtime and political capital on trendy national issues that have little to do with helping the people they represent. They’re after social media hits, invitations to the fanciest fundraising events, and TV spots.
I deeply appreciate that all three members of Alaska’s congressional delegation are not like that. Instead, we are blessed with a team of serious workhorses – not show horses – who put Alaska first in everything they do.
Hardcore partisans can’t seem to separate their emotions from issues relevant to Alaska (or Juneau) so there’s no grace given, or gratitude expressed, for good things that come our way – or even assigning credit where credit is due.
I understand that voting is a highly personal exercise. But the consequences of our individual votes affect the community in which we live, so it’s important to get it right.
That said, in a just world, Sen. Dan S. Sullivan would win Juneau by a landslide on Nov. 3.
Why? Consider the icebreaker and GLOF (glacial lake outburst flooding).
The homeporting of the icebreaker Storis in Juneau will be an economic gamechanger for the capital city. This isn’t happening because Juneau is an ideal coastal community or because we pay a lobbyist to look after us in Washington, D.C., or because we fund the Juneau Economic Development Council to bring jobs to Juneau.
It’s simply a fact that for the past four years, Sen. Sullivan has done most of the heavy lifting with his Senate Commerce Subcommittee membership and chairmanship to convince the U.S. Coast Guard to select Juneau as the homeport for the Storis. Sullivan’s diligence and mastery of the committee process were necessary conditions for the opportunity to materialize.
Relationships matter. Hard work matters. Seniority matters.
Something that does not matter — at least to Dan Sullivan — is that this town he has helped so much has never supported him politically. Juneau is not his stronghold — or even a place where most voters support him. But decent public servants do the right things for the sake of doing them.
Further consider Sullivan’s work to address the GLOF. The staggering amount of federal attention and investment Juneau has received to address Juneau’s flooding issue has come about largely because of Sullivan’s work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Of course, the long-term fix is still in the works. Disrupting that progress by switching out the congressional member and staff delivering it — because of partisan or philosophical differences — seems counterproductive.
Yet some in Juneau can’t seem to quit saying that, “Sullivan hasn’t stopped Trump from (insert offending item here).” I have two questions for you: Has any Republican succeeded in “stopping” Trump at much of anything? And when some may try, does that usually help or hurt their constituents secure critical natural disaster aid or perhaps an icebreaker?
Elected by some to take care of all is the way public officials are supposed to serve, and not all do. When they channel their time, energy and influence into delivering big things that matter to a community’s long-term viability, regardless of that community’s political support, good faith should flow in both directions. It’s something Juneau should think about.
Will any of this matter to the people of Juneau when we vote? I do not know.
But it will most certainly matter afterwards.
• Paulette Simpson is a Douglas resident and a member of Women for Dan Sullivan, which receives financial support from Alaskans For Dan Sullivan, the senator’s principal campaign committee.
