Incumbent Scott Kawasaki runs for seat P in the Alaska State Senate

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Incumbent Scott Kawasaki is running for seat P on the Alaska State Senate.

He said he is running because strong and effective leadership is needed in Juneau. “I’ve talked to the constituents in each of the neighborhoods, gone door-to-door, even when I’m not running, to let them know what’s going on in Juneau and to make sure that we have a cohesive voice with the interior delegation down in Juneau. I’ve fought hard for the folks in Juneau, and I’m hoping that folks recognize the work that we’ve done. Now we are met with a lot of challenges in Juneau, for sure, with the high price of energy, the high price, going up, in homes,” Kawasaki said.

According to Kawasaki, Alaska’s budget this year was able to use resources that may not be around next year, like federal money and high oil prices. “We need to come up with a long-term fiscal plan that protects public safety, protects public education, makes sure we have a strong university, that we have the kinds of things in Fairbanks that make it a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

He said he’s optimistic about Alaska’s future. “For the last four years I’ve served in the senate, but before that I also served in the council, city council locally, and then in the state house. People know me as a person who’s willing to speak my mind, willing to come back to the voters even on non-election years, tell them what we did, tell them how we can refine our technique in the future, and then fight hard down in Juneau.”

Kawasaki is running against Alex Jafre and Jim Matherly in the primary election in August 16th.

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