Mead Treadwell:
I want to be governor because I want Alaskans to trust their government again. I want investors here in Alaska and outside Alaska, who we need to bring jobs to the state, to trust Alaska again.
Alaskans don't trust their government after Bill Walker's veto of the PFD. It was not debated. The Senate decided not to have a vote to overturn it. Mike (Dunleavy) voted with the Senate to not overturn it. The speaker of the house, Mike Chenault, had asked for a joint session of the Legislature to overturn it. And Alaskans, I think, are upset with that. I hear that every day.
I want to grow business in the state but there's one business we have to shut down, and it's crime. We have a growing criminal enterprise here that is not just stealing cars — it's stealing cars to do other crimes, it's stealing cars for chop shops and things like that.
The domestic violence, sexual assault issue that we championed when I was lieutenant governor has been kind of swept under the rug and we still have the worst rates in the country. I've experienced that sort of thing in our family and it's something that happens in many kinds of families and we're not giving it the attention that we need to solve it, and even if that solution takes a generation, like Mothers Against Drunk Driving did or helping us understand that fetal alcohol syndrome comes if you see a pregnant woman drinking, we have to keep up the heat on that issue. There's not enough federal cooperation on crime.
So I would say, the budget, crime and then the last thing is, I'm sick and tired of seeing Alaska export jobs.
Mike Dunleavy:
I came to this state in 1983 and I thought it was a fantastic place. I'd have to live eight lifetimes, I think, to do everything I want to do in the state of Alaska. It afforded me a great living. I got to meet my wife. My kids were born here. And this is my home. And I've always been in public service — as a teacher, principal, superintendent. I was on the school board here in the Mat-Su and then, of course, ran for the Senate, was in the Senate. And for me, this is a logical extension.
Alaska, the last several years, has fallen on hard times. We have some of the worst statistics now in the nation, with regard to educational outcomes, public safety, unemployment, and I think we could do better. For a state of only 730,000 people, with all the resources that we have, Alaska has a great opportunity to turn things around.
And, I think, that my experience and my knowledge lends itself to help to do that. So, I think I'd make a good governor. I think I'd make a very good governor, actually, because of my experiences and that's why I've thrown my hat in the ring.
More questions with gubernatorial candidates Dunleavy and Treadwell:
— Under what circumstances would you consider reducing PFD checks?
— What sets you apart from the competition?
— Other than budget-related issues, what would your top priorities be as governor?