The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for U.S. House running in the special primary election to answer a series of questions. Read all of their responses here.
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ANDREW J. HALCRO, nonpartisan from Anchorage
What in your background qualifies you to represent Alaskans in Congress?
My background includes being a former state legislator, statewide business leader, nonprofit executive and a community development leader.
Why are you running for U.S. Congress in Alaska?
To provide Alaskans with the best option to finishing the remaining four months of Don Young’s term. Candidates who seek the entire term will spend 75% of Young’s remaining time campaigning for the November election. As someone who will only serve the remainder of the term and won’t be on the November ballot, 100% of my focus will be on representing Alaska during a time of geopolitical upheaval.
What would be your top priority if elected to Congress?
The way America and Alaska engages with Russia has forever changed. There will be new opportunities in Alaska’s seafood markets with the prohibition on Russian imports, Alaska’s resource development industries with the global shift in energy policy and Alaska’s military positioning in a day of new Russian aggression. Alaska needs a dedicated voice to represent Alaska’s interest, not one that will spend 75% of their time on the campaign trail.
What is your position on abortion?
I am pro-choice.
If legislation came before the U.S. House that would guarantee the same abortion rights nationwide as the Roe v. Wade decision, how would you vote?
Yes.
If you support abortion rights, what limitations, if any, do you think should be placed on those rights, such as waiting periods or a specific point in a pregnancy where abortion should no longer be legal?
A woman should always be able to control her own destiny and be able to make her own health care decisions with her own personal doctor with complete privacy. Period.
Would you support a bill, if it came before the House, to expand the size of the U.S. Supreme Court? Why or why not?
No. I don’t believe expanding the court would accomplish anything positive. Given the events of the recent weeks where several justices proved themselves as having been dishonest during their confirmation hearings, I would support confirmation reforms.
What do you think should be done by the federal government to address mass shootings?
Tighten background checks, as well as put a consistent effort into investing in mental health services.
Do you support gun control legislation? If so, what kind of measures would you support? If not, why not?
I support tightening background checks and any provision that equally protects the Second Amendment while ensuring we stop these senseless mass shootings.