Republican and nonpartisan voters should support Treadwell

Nonpartisan and undeclared voters can vote in the Republican primary next Tuesday. Non-Republicans who can vote in the Republican primary outnumber Republicans themselves by about 2 to 1.

And they should vote, because they will undoubtedly pick the next governor. It's extremely likely that the winner of the Republican primary will be elected in November. The Republican nominee generally wins statewide races, but this year it is even more likely because progressive/liberal voters are going to split between Mark Begich and Bill Walker.

So, who might win the GOP primary? Many pundits have assumed it will be former state senator Mike Dunleavy. But it has become clear that former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell is the better choice, especially for nonpartisan and undeclared voters.

Mr. Dunleavy is simply too rigid to be an effective leader. The Legislature spent the past four years in endless, dysfunctional special sessions, deadlocked over the budget. Finally, last winter, the House Democrats, Senate Republicans and the governor crafted a deal. It was clearly a compromise to enable the state to move forward. But when Mr. Dunleavy did not get all his exact demands (nobody did), he bolted from the Republican caucus, forfeited all his committee assignments and staff, and quit the Senate.

He had become impossible to work with. But a governor needs to be able, and willing, to work with members of the other party, nonpartisan and undeclared voters, and especially the members of his own party.

Do we want a governor who will reopen this budget can of worms? Do we want more stonewalling and posturing? Do we want a governor burning through what little is left of our savings, trashing our credit rating, and legislative sessions that go into silver season, talking past each other without ever listening?

Mr. Dunleavy's prior career was in the public school system. Alaska ranks at or very near the bottom for student performance, and he should have some answers (or excuses), yet there is nothing on Dunleavy's website about education, either K-12 or the university.

Mr. Treadwell, by contrast, has been an effective leader for decades. He spent his career building jobs in the private sector, with public service in the Hickel administration and as lieutenant governor.

Treadwell has been on the front lines, fighting for Alaska, since he came here more than 40 years ago. He has been fighting for control over our lands and resources and shutting down criminals as Deputy Commissioner of the DEC. He has volunteered his time and talents in public service, including a term as chairman of the U.S. Arctic Commission. From the 200-mile limit to missile defense, Treadwell has been the indispensable man in achieving Alaska's goals.

And most importantly for the office of governor, he can work with everybody. He can disagree without being disagreeable.

You may think it feels a little like cheating to vote the Republican ballot when you aren't a Republican. But in Alaska, the parties themselves determine who can vote in their primary. The Republican Party has specifically invited nonpartisan and undeclared voters to participate in its primary. You have the same right to ask for a Republican ballot as Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Don Young.

Some nonpartisan and undeclared voters may prefer one of the other candidates. That's fine, but that is for another day, because Gov. Walker skipped the primary and Mr. Begich is unopposed in his. Meanwhile, nonpartisan and undeclared voters have the opportunity to pick, if you will, their second choice. They should do so. It is like taking out an insurance policy, a wise decision in this election.

Kirk Wickersham is a lawyer and real estate broker in Anchorage.

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