Q&A with 2022 Alaska governor candidate Charlie Pierce

The Alaska Beacon asked Alaska’s 10 governor candidates to answer a 15-question survey about their positions on a variety of issues. Read all of their responses here. Answers have not been edited.

Charlie Pierce, Republican candidate from Soldotna

Yes/no questions

Do you support a constitutional convention?

Yes

Should the Alaska Constitution be amended to protect the roughly $30 billion in the Permanent Fund that currently isn’t constitutionally protected?

Yes

Should Alaska spend public money to ensure a natural gas pipeline is built?

Answered other than yes or no (see below)

Do you think the state prioritizes commercial and sport fishing over subsistence fishing?

Answered other than yes or no (see below)

Would you allow a bill limiting transgender athletes to become law with or without your signature?

Yes

Open-ended questions

How should the state of Alaska set the amount of the Permanent Fund dividend each year?

I support the payment of the PFD by the statutory formula and will work to restore the the statutory PFD as an “Alaskan Right”

What’s Alaska’s biggest need, and how would you address it?

Alaska is faced with a number of significant needs. To single any one out would not do justice to the residents of our state. Managing our budget, the PFD allocation, our education system, senior citizen, military and veteran affairs are just a few requiring attention and leadership.

Regarding the natural gas pipeline: Any state involvement on the funding for a natural gas pipeline would be dependent on the participation agreement with industry partners and the projected return on investment to the state of Alaska.

What policies and laws should Alaska follow with regard to abortion?

The laws of the State of Alaska must be followed. The constitution, as currently written addresses abortion under the “right to privacy” provision.

How should the state reduce the threat of gun violence and mass shootings?

64.5 % of Alaska households have firearms and our right to bear arms is a fabric of Alaskan society. Our states “gun violence” statistics are a majority caused by criminal activity and domestic disputes. Firearm safety, early intervention in domestic issues and a support for law enforcement are all measures that can be taken to reduce those threats. As Mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough I introduced and passed an Ordinance declaring the Borough to be a 2nd amendment sanctuary Borough, to protect your right to bear arms.

How much should a governor’s faith or religion determine state law and policy?

No

What should the state do to improve retention of public employees, including teachers?

The retention of teachers is especially important in our state. Reducing administrative overhead and increasing teacher salaries is critical to the improvement in the education of our children.

What does an ideal state ferry system look like?

The State ferry system is “The Alaska Marine Highway” and must be maintained and operated in a business fashion. The ideal system will provide economical and reliable ferry service to all residents of Alaska. Many communities depend on the ferry system for their economic and community access needs. The “Ideal” operation is yet to be defined.

What, if any, changes does the state need to make to ensure voting is equitable and secure?

The integrity of Alaska’s voting system must be assured. Edie Grunwald, my Lt. Governor will tackle that issue on day one. Beginning with the updating of the voter rolls to remove the thousands of non eligible voters from the rolls. Edie Grunwald has published a position paper on this issue

What do you intend to do about the poor returns of salmon in the Yukon and Kuskokwim drainages, and what are the main causes of the problems?

Subsistence, Commercial and sport access for recreational fishing are all critical aspects of Alaska’s fishing policies. A common issue that affects all areas is the trawler bycatch problem. Ending Alaskan Trawler bycatch will reduce the pressure on all Alaskan fishing concerns in the state. Our fisheries must be managed based on the science of marine biology, not the pressures of out of state special interests and lobbyists. My administration will appoint professional scientists in positions of responsibility to manage our fishing waters.

What, if any, changes should be made to Alaska’s school funding system?

Alaska school funding must be reviewed in detail. Teachers and students are the priority and a significant reduction of administrative overhead is a goal with the reallocation of those savings to the teachers and students.