October 31, 2016
Monday PM

In the midst of this presidential election cycle, the nation has witnessed how partisan politics can fail the needs of its citizens. Personal attacks have become the norm, the issues facing our country are rarely discussed in depth, and it feels that we have come to focus on what divides us rather than what can bring us together.

Let us not lose sight of who we are in Southeast Alaska. We are united by a common goal: to provide more opportunities to the citizens of our communities, and to enhance and protect our unique ways of life. Dan Ortiz is a candidate who shares this vision. He has spent the past two years in the legislature working on both sides of the aisle for District 36. He makes his constituents his top priority, rather than a political party.

Let us also not forget how change really happens. We must remember that it takes more than a political endorsement to effectively enact change. Dan Ortiz has proven that he will work hard for District 36, as evidenced by the number of accomplishments he achieved with just two years in office. Negative attack ads may try to convince us otherwise, but all we have to do is look at Representative Ortiz’s track record and the picture is clear. He is the ideal candidate for District 36 because he works to serve the needs of all southern Southeast Alaskans.

Political super PACs may try to drag us into the negative, hateful discourse that is plaguing national politics, but the people of Southeast Alaska know better. We know that it’s the issues that really matter. Dan Ortiz is the candidate who can push our agenda forward, and serve our communities by working as an Independent Alaskan across party lines. He has (and will) always put the needs of southern Southeast Alaskans first.

Emma Scott
Ketchikan High School Graduate
AB Candidate in History, Brown University Class of 2017
Providence, Rhode Island

Received October 30, 2016 - Published October 31, 2016

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