We’re not voting for Trump this election

Early voting at the State Office Building on Oct. 19, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Dave Hanna

Our country is divided like never before and much of it can be attributed to our current president. While I believe we haven’t had a morally pure president since perhaps Jimmy Carter, our current president has definitely gone off the deep end. We need not go over his moral failings, his antics or bluster. There are too many to even begin listing, but unfortunately one issue is his meddling in this year’s elections and the repercussions of him doing so.

Many folks are letting their feelings about Trump influence their opinions of those currently running for office and this is glaringly apparent here in Alaska. The backlash against Trump is influencing many normally intelligent folks into totally disregarding the facts about who is running.

We currently have one of the most effective teams in Congress that Alaska has ever had. All three show up for work every day and get the job done in a most impressive way. All three have achieved incredible successes and enjoy positions of great influence in both bodies. We are lucky to have all three of them. 

And yet we are being encouraged to replace two-thirds of our winning team with people with poor track records or no experience.

In our Senate race we are asked to get rid of Dan Sullivan. This man has done more good for every corner of this state than we can relate. Military improvements, Coast Guard facilities, major transportation and energy projects get the news, but things like relief from disasters and $1.4 billion, yes you read that right, billion with a B for healthcare improvements in Alaska really hit home. Resource bills, fisheries bills, and on and on, his efforts are never-ending and get results. For this effort we are being asked to replace him with someone with an exact opposite track record.

As best as I can tell, in the past 27 years when she’s held various public offices Mary has had trouble passing any legislation of her own. On Bethel City Council, in her years in the Alaska Legislature, and her two-plus years in Congress, it would appear she has never really gotten anything done. Which matches her attendance record. On Bethel City Council, in the Alaska Legislature, and in Congress she was remarkably consistent. She consistently didn’t show up for work. Her average absence rate is 20% to 25%. If someone applied to work for me and I found out that they missed at least one day of work a week, I would show them the door and say thanks, but no thanks. Let’s face it. The Wall Street Journal calls electing Mary “economic suicide” and the New York Times, not exactly a fan of the Republican Party, felt compelled to do an expose’ revealing the darker side of her personality. And this is the woman the Democratic Party says we should send back to Washington. I don’t think so.

And then we come to our race for representative. We currently have Nick Begich, arguably the best representative we have ever had. Strong words, I know, but look at the record. He has set records not just for bills introduced but for bills passed, including bills the venerable Don Young couldn’t get across the finish line. He has repeatedly been given committee assignments and delivered results. There is a reason he gets handed the Speaker's gavel from time to time. This is amazing for a freshman representative. Add to this the fact that he has been getting bills passed unanimously.

He can reach across the aisle and has earned the respect of all his colleagues. And he deserves this. I have had the pleasure of knowing Nick well before he ran, and have had personal and private conversations with him. Not only is he incredibly intelligent and has a great breadth of knowledge, but I can also tell you that I believe his moral compass is unshakable and we can trust him to do what’s best for Alaska and for our nation.

And now we are being told to replace him with someone who has no political experience and their only administrative record is superintendent of a school district that appears to have consistently slid downhill in performance. A person who won’t own up to their political associations and linkages. Who says they will lower the price of fuel and groceries and ammo, but doesn’t say how. Well, I would say it’s because he doesn’t have the ability to do that and any reasonably intelligent person knows that.

So here we are being told to get rid of the best team we have ever had because we’re sick of Donald Trump. Please don’t let illogical processes influence your decision. If anyone ever appears in the future that seems like a viable Democratic candidate, then we can all have a rational discussion. But for now, let’s stick with a winning team who shows up for work every day and gets the job done.

• Dave Hanna is a Juneau resident.