Murkowski faces several rivals in debate on Arctic issues

  • By Becky Bohrer
  • Wednesday, October 26, 2016 10:02pm
  • News

JUNEAU — Voters weighing who they will support for president should consider issues such as energy development and opportunities for developing Alaska’s resources, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a debate Wednesday.

The Alaska Republican said Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has espoused a philosophy that will hold back Alaska, the Arctic and the country.

Murkowski did not remark on her party’s nominee, Donald Trump, except to repeat that she cannot support him or Clinton.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The debate, focused mainly on Arctic issues and broadcast online, was held in Barrow, the northernmost U.S. city, at the edge of the Chukchi Sea. Residents of the largely Inupiat city recently voted to change Barrow’s name to Utqiagvik (oot-GHAR-vik).

The debate featured three of Murkowski’s rivals — Democrat Ray Metcalfe and independents Margaret Stock and Breck Craig. Libertarian Joe Miller and independent Ted Gianoutsos did not participate.

Stock, who has won backing from factions of the state Democratic party, has struggled to break through the crowded field. She said she doesn’t think Clinton would be a “disaster” for Alaska or the Arctic.

President Barack Obama, a Democrat, has been supportive of Alaska Native interests and concerns, Stock said.

Craig, who is supporting Clinton despite some “serious reservations,” said Trump would probably have little interest in the Arctic unless he could build a hotel there.

Stock sought to paint Murkowski as a career politician and part of an ineffective Congress. Stock and Metcalfe each said they would serve just two terms if elected.

Murkowski, who has served in the Senate since 2002, said some would argue that building up seniority is important for a state that has only a three-person congressional delegation. During this campaign, Murkowski has touted her seniority as an asset.

The candidates talked about the need for greater investments in the Arctic and helping to protect a subsistence way of life and communities in rural Alaska.

It was the third of four debates or forums in which Murkowski will participate. The last one, a public media debate, is scheduled for Nov. 3.

More in News

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Erfurth found guilty on 28 counts for sex abuse, exploitation of a minor

The former Soldotna high school teacher and union head was convicted after six days of jury deliberations.

President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia during a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. President Trump is pushing to end the war in Ukraine, but analysts say the Russian leader could turn a hastily-planned meeting to his advantage. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Trump to meet Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage

Trump was expected to make what amounted to a day trip to Alaska to meet with Putin.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet 1st Lt. Hugh Traugott (right) works with Cadet Airman First Class Audrey Crocker (left) during a statewide training exercise on disaster response on Aug. 9-10, 2025, in Homer, Alaska.
Civil Air Patrol practices disaster response

Homer cadets and senior members were part of a statewide exercise last weekend.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly president, Peter Ribbens, speaks in an aside to District 8 representative and Vice President Kelly Cooper before the beginning of the Aug. 5, 2025, KPB Assembly meeting at the Porcupine Theater in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Voters to decide on borough sales tax cap increase

Assembly Ordinance 2025-14 aims to adjust the sales tax cap with inflation.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Few candidates have filed for upcoming election

The filing period for candidacy applications across all six electoral races closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD reverses some activity stipend cuts, raises fees

The district’s final budget adopted in July called for a halving of all activity stipends.

Joel Johnson, president of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Carrie Hourman, lead sustainability director for Dow Climate & Circularity; and Susan Sherman, executive director of the Marine Debris Foundation, sit for a panel at the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Kenai Classic Roundtable at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Annual Kenai Classic Roundtable to focus on Alaska king salmon

The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the Soldotna Field House.

Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai to inventory roads, streetlights

The projects will identify the condition of the respective city infrastructure and identify possible “major deficiencies,” officials said.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Grand opening for Soldotna Field House on Saturday

Though the field house will be opened this weekend, it will not open to general public operations for a couple more weeks.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in