December Newsletter

All Alaska Governor December 2009 Letter to Supporters

Posted 12/7/2009

We are in full stride with the campaign. This past month I have had the opportunity to address the Alaska Municipal League, UAF student government, the Valdez Commerce group, and other groups in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Several speaking engagements are already scheduled this month and I welcome all invitations. I am especially enjoying getting out to community events and talking with Alaskans one on one. A highlight for Donna and me was attending the Bridge Builders International Potluck where Anchorage residents representing over 50 cultures joined together to share food, entertainment and ideas for building a stronger, more unified city and state.

Alaskans understand that my theme of “All-Alaska Governor” is not just about an All-Alaska Gasline but it means All Alaska jobs, affordable energy to All Alaskan homes and businesses and economic stability for Alaskans for decades to come. It also means enhanced state revenues to finance All Alaskan education, roads, public safety, and essential government services in light of the drastically reduced state revenues anticipated as the oil flow through TAPS continues to decline. There is increasing evidence that the Canadian route for commercializing our gas will never materialize, at least not in most of our lifetimes. The Prudhoe Bay to Valdez/LNG option with a spur line from Glennallen to the Southcentral grid is Alaska’s best, and I believe ONLY, hope of getting our gas to Alaskans and to market.

Young Alaskans especially get it! At UAF we discussed how the University would benefit from the All-Alaska Gasline. I explained how the approximate $7 million spent by the University on energy each year could be reduced by several million leaving those extra dollars for scholarships and other programs. A 32 year old helicopter pilot well versed and educated in energy issues contacted me to voice his full support of my candidacy. He sees business slowing down statewide in all areas and worries about his own job security. He understands that the All-Alaska project is essential to fulfilling his goal of building a future in Alaska and that the trickle down benefits to All Alaskans from an All-Alaska project are innumerable.

In case you haven’t seen it, my first TV ad featuring Governor Hickel, one of Alaska’s truest statesmen in on the Videos page. Now there’s someone who truly gets the All-Alaska plan! One might even say he invented it. In addition to radio ads, I have also had some great interviews on radio talk shows and was one of three guests on the inaugural TV show, “Moore Up North.” I was interviewed by Channel 13 in Fairbanks last week. Here is that clip.

I have also added to our team two outstanding Alaskans, Taylor Bickford as Campaign Manager and Sandy Moore as Statewide Fundraising/Events Coordinator, who will energize the campaign with their expertise and enthusiastic commitment. Taylor is an experienced political operative with proven success in all aspects of campaign management and operations. He is a graduate of the Republican National Committee’s Campaign Management College with experience at the local, congressional and presidential levels. He got his start in politics by interning for Senator Lisa Murkowski in Washington, D.C. In 2008, he was hired by the McCain-Palin campaign to serve as its Election Day Operations Director for the state of Nevada to encourage voter turnout and to ensure the integrity of the election process. Most recently, he worked as Political Director to Congressman Ken Calvert in California, responsible for executing the Congressman’s campaign plan for his nationally targeted 2010 reelection effort. Taylor was born in Juneau and graduated from West High School in Anchorage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University.

Sandy brings a rich background of legislative and organizational skills and experience to the campaign. She was a legislative aide in Juneau for six years, four of those in the House Speaker’s office. Prior to that Sandy owned a consulting business specializing in tourism and marketing. Sandy has known Bill throughout her 23 years of working in Alaska. She is committed to his candidacy and says, “Bill is the right governor to secure Alaska’s future.” Sandy is a graduate of USC with a dual major in marketing and business administration.

With expanded campaign efforts come expanded expenses. You can trust your contributions are treasured and conscientiously expended. Ask my family and they will tell you that few things delight me more than sitting down to write “Thank You” notes to supporters. On the other hand, the most awkward but unfortunately, one of the most essential parts of this process is asking for funds. As expenses mount, I do need your financial support. Contributions can be mailed in or contributed on line. Fundraising hosts are needed around the state as well. If you are able to host a fundraiser or know someone who can, please call or email and let us know how the campaign can provide assistance. You can also sign up to volunteer on the website. Type your email address into the Get Involved box and let us know how you can help.

Finally, I hope all of you will go to my Facebook page by clicking here and sign up to stay updated. You will see that the Facebook page is lively and interactive and you can go to the Discussion Board to see my views on various issues. Since this newsletter will also be linked on my Facebook page, I am asking that all of the Facebook supporters enter their email address in the newsletter sign up box on my website and at your option, tell us how you would like to be involved in this effort. One immediate and effortless way you can help the campaign now is to forward this newsletter to at least 5 of your friends and/or invite 5 friends to sign on as Facebook supporters. Would you take a few minutes now to do that on my behalf?

We are only just beginning. We have come a long way in two short months. As we head into 2010 we need to be running full speed on all cylinders. Gear up with me! Tell others what we are doing and what we will do if I am your next governor. The challenge is great. The rewards even greater.

Donna and I will enjoy Christmas with all family members home for the holidays. We live for these times. The tree is up, the boys and I are working on the outdoor lights (although not as quickly as Donna would like) and Donna is adorning the stairs with garland and putting up the Christmas village. With one exception, I have spent every Christmas of my life in Alaska and this will be Donna’s and my 32nd one together, All Alaskan style. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

May God bless you richly this season with health, well being and loved ones to share it with–all the truly meaningful things.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to All!
All-Alaska, All the time,