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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ARLENE CARLE, nonpartisan from Anchorage
What in your background qualifies you to represent Alaskans in Congress?
The Constitution requires members of the House of Representatives to be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the State they represent. I meet those qualifications.
Why are you running for U.S. Congress in Alaska?
Washington, D.C. is a bit crazy right now. Especially the House of Representatives. Alaskans need someone who will give Washington, D.C. a dose of common sense. I believe I’m that candidate.
What would be your top priority if elected to Congress?
Don Young’s seat will have been vacant five months when I take office. My top priority is to serve constituents, fill committee assignments, and educate Washington, D.C. on the folly of green energy that is unrealistic in today’s technology. Windmills freeze up. Electric cars travel 200 miles and need five hours to recharge. Solar panels need sun. We have communities where the sun doesn’t shine for three months at a stretch. We need to stop the war on oil that is costing jobs and causing inflation.
What is your position on abortion?
Abortion should be legal, safe, rare and performed early in a pregnancy — within the first 10 weeks.
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?
No.
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?
If Roe v. Wade is nullified, each state will decide the issue for itself. If I correctly understand Alaska law, abortion is allowed at all stages of pregnancy subject to state-directed counseling that includes information designed to discourage abortion. I believe that is too liberal. Bringing a child partially through the birth canal and then severing its spinal column with scissors isn’t abortion, it’s murder. I think abortion should be performed within the first 10 weeks. Alaskans will have to decide that.
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?
The Supreme Court only hears appeals involving constitutional issues. With 160 court employees, that’s 17 employees for each of the nine justices. To prevent tie votes, the court would have to add two more justices. That’s 34 additional employees. For what purpose? Because the administration doesn’t like the balance between liberal and conservative justices? Administrations come, and administrations go. Are we to expand the court every time a new administration doesn’t like the court balance? I am for reducing the size of government, not increasing it. I would not support the bill.
What do you think should be done by the federal government to address mass shootings?
The common thread among mass shootings such as the one that just occurred in Uvalde, Texas, appears to be young males who struggle to find a place in society. If school protections could absolutely protect against monstrous acts, a shooter intent on harming others would turn his attention to more accessible targets such as malls, theaters, churches, parks. Government closest to the people seems to be the most efficient. From a federal standpoint, perhaps making all gun crimes federal crimes and improving mental health identification and treatment would be good first steps.
Do you support gun control legislation? If so, what kind of measures would you support? If not, why not?
Article II of the Constitution: “...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Chicago and New York have some of the strongest gun control laws in the country and the worst gun crime records. Obviously, gun control laws have not worked. Laws only control lawful people. Criminals should be prosecuted and removed from society. It’s the hand holding the gun that must be controlled.