October 27, 2022
Thursday

After watching the Ted Ferry civic Center candidate debate event virtually, I am compelled to again express my support for Representative Dan Ortiz. Watching my community in Ketchikan, indeed Alaska realign solely along party line is discouraging.

Alaska voters, especially in Ketchikan have a strong history of voting for the person we believe can do the best job representing us. Ketchikan has been a tolerant and inclusive community. Party affiliations are not always important and in the fall race for representative, it is less important than ever.

We need to elect the man who has a proven track record and has made his life in Ketchikan. relative newcomers have high ideals, fueled in part by youth, but especially by ignorance of how politics function in the legislative sense and how the work is accomplished in Juneau for our state. We don't always agree, but that is part of the process.

It is not easy to be in the legislature. One can harken high ideals and rest on military laurels, but that is not how any elected body works. Any newcomer has many years of frustrating learnings before she/he can become effective. Dan Ortiz has proven himself; he has the knowledge and intelligence to work effectively across the aisle. Dan listens, votes thoughtfully, and is well-respected by his elected peers and constituents.

Let's vote Dan Ortiz to another term for Ketchikan and for Alaska. We cannot afford a newcomer.

Sincerely,

Richard H. Smith
Retired Civil Engineer
Past Board Member Southeast Conference
Ketchikan, Alaska

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Received October 18, 2022 - Published October 27, 2022

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