Political tyro hankers to do what the incumbent hasn't
HOUSE SEAT 29: But opponent says change takes time for good reason.
By KATIE PESZNECKER
Anchorage Daily News
(Published: October 16, 2004)
Employment & Careers
Political newcomer Chris Tuck said he's long pondered running for office and was moved to do so because he was disappointed by lawmakers in Juneau this session.
They didn't come up with a fiscal plan, and the culture of closed-door meetings and Republicans rubber-stamping legislation went unchanged, Tuck said.
"The state is on the verge of greatness or collapse," Tuck said. "And Ralph Samuels really hasn't done much."
But Samuels, Tuck's opponent and the Republican and incumbent for House Seat 29, says he's pleased with his accomplishments during his first term in office and excited for the challenges of another one.
Samuels said that if it appears change happens slowly in Juneau, that's because it does, and for good reason.
"To go in there on day one and think you're going to change the world is a fallacy, and I think it took me a while to realize that," said Samuels, 42. "I think I'm still new enough to believe in the system. I'd like to spread my wings and see what I can make a difference on."
Samuels and Tuck are vying for House Seat 29, a district bordered by Lake Otis Parkway to the east, Minnesota Drive to the west, O'Malley Road to the south and, to the north, a jagged boundary made up of Raspberry Road, the railroad tracks and 76th Avenue.
Samuels ran for office when redistricting left District 29's seat open. But the PenAir executive first got involved in politics because of the murder of his older brother, Duane, in 1989.
Lawyers for Duane's killer, a 16-year-old boy who confessed, tried to keep him from being tried as an adult. It prompted Samuels to lobby to have Alaska's laws changed so that 16-year-olds accused of violent crime are waived into adult court.
Samuels got on the Victims for Justice board, traveled to Juneau and worked with legislators to change the law. He later served on and chaired the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce board.
Born in Anchorage, but having lived in King Salmon, Nome and Fairbanks, Samuels said he's a strong legislator because he has a statewide perspective. He moved to Anchorage permanently in the mid-1980s and lives in the northwest corner of his district.
Samuels chaired the House Budget and Audit Committee and sponsored various legislation, but he is particularly proud of a victims' rights package he crafted with longtime acquaintance Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak.
"Every now and then you say, 'We can fix that,' and you do it, and that's why you run again," Samuels said.
He praised the Legislature for funding education at a record level and passing a cap to contain spending.
Samuels is known for championing victims' rights, but he said this session he will focus on other important areas and "do some heavy lifting."
He wants a long-term increase to oil production to increase revenues and supports the natural gas line. He's also interested in establishing more regional boarding schools, since Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka is so successful.
Samuels said he's the better candidate because he has experience, not only in politics but with organizations like the chamber.
Tuck, 38, is a business representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which means he represents the 5,000-member union in collective bargaining. Tuck lives just a couple of blocks from Samuels.
"I know what it means to represent a diverse group," said Tuck, who has a 12-year-old son, Devon, from a previous marriage. "I have a natural knack for it and I am a quick learner."
Tuck wants to invest in industries that support natural resource development. For example, why not make products here with the zinc mined in Alaska, instead of exporting the mineral? Tuck said.
He also supports the gas line.
It's dangerous for Alaska to continue to depend on service-based industries like retail and tourism, Tuck said. "We're relying on other states' economic situations for our own," he said.
Tuck opposes an income tax and said he wouldn't support using money from the Permanent Fund without a vote from Alaskans. High on his list of disappointments regarding last session's Legislature was its inability to create a fiscal plan.
"That's the most important thing we can do right now is get our fiscal house in order," Tuck said.
Tuck expects to spend about $25,000 on his campaign. He has pulled in donations from friends and unions, including IBEW.
Samuels expects to spend about $40,000. Donations so far have come from medical professionals, developer Mark Pfeffer and pollster David Dittman.
"And my parents live in the district," Samuels said. "They gave me $500."
Daily News reporter Katie Pesznecker can be reached at kpesznecker@adn.com.
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES: There's an easy way to find out where the candidates stand on the issues. The Daily News is partnering with Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan group that helps get information about candidates to voters. About 70 percent of Southcentral legislative candidates completed an extensive survey on Alaska issues, and the results are online along with bio information and more. In House District 29, both candidates participated. To see the issue surveys, and more on the Nov. 2 election, go to
www.adn.com/election04
RALPH SAMUELS
Party: Republican, incumbent
Occupation: Airline executive; businessman
Political and government positions: State representative, District 29, 2002-present
CHRIS TUCK
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Business representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1547, 2001-present; instructor, Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship School, 1999-present.
Political and government positions: Board member, Municipal Education Commission, 2004-present
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