Running for U.S. House seat, Lindbeck says diversifying Alaska’s economy a key issue

Democrat Steve Lindbeck is challenging incumbent Republican Don Young for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy Lindbeck for Alaska)
Democrat Steve Lindbeck is challenging incumbent Republican Don Young for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy Lindbeck for Alaska)

Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives Steve Lindbeck was scheduled to be in Wrangell on Saturday, but fog prevented him from making one of his final Southeast campaign stops.

The former public radio executive officially announced his candidacy in May, hoping to unseat Republican Rep. Don Young, the Alaska Dispatch News reported.

Lindbeck spoke with KSTK by phone.

One of Lindbeck’s key issues is diversifying Alaska’s economy.

He said developing the arctic is one way the federal government can spur development and help the state’s economy.

“We really should approve the law of the sea treaty because that will clarify boundaries and authorities as exploitation of minerals and fisheries takes place,” Lindbeck said. “There’s just a tremendous amount of opportunity and risk that comes with the way this place is opening up, and we are not prepared as a country today.”

Lindbeck said building a deep-water port is one the key infrastructure components needed, as well as greater Coast Guard coverage.

He promotes exploring for resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge before making decisions on its development.

Lindbeck also supports Gov. Bill Walker’s push to build a natural gas pipeline.

Lindbeck argues he would be a strong advocate for transboundary mining issues in Southeast and would like to see the International Joint Commission become involved. That’s a U.S.-Canada panel that handles transboundary water issues.

“The State Department needs to push hard. The IJC obviously addresses this in other places and needs to do so here. We need to get President (Barack) Obama and Secretary (John) Kerry and President (Hilary) Clinton – presumably going forward – to stay after this problem,” Lindbeck said. “I think it’s probably a good idea to have a moratorium on approval of new Canadian permits until the government in British Columbia sort some of the recommendations.”

Among other Southeast issues, Lindbeck said the Tongass should be able to supply timber for at least one mill, while protecting fisheries in the region.

He said Alaska becoming exempt from the “roadless rule” would be one way of opening up logging lands.

The federal regulation set aside millions of acres of forest across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s case for an exemption in March.

Lindbeck also said the proposed Alaska Mental Health Trust land exchange would be good for the state.

That’s been a contentious issue in Southeast.

If Congress doesn’t approve the exchange by January, then Mental Health wants to log Ketchikan’s Deer Mountain and land above Mitkof Highway in Petersburg.

Other issues Lindbeck is pushing for are broadband infrastructure expansion and legislation allowing college students to renegotiate loan debt.

Linbeck’s campaign said it will focus on Anchorage and Fairbanks voters leading up to Election Day.

Libertarian Jim McDermott and independent candidate Bernie Souphanavong also are  running against Republican incumbent Don Young.

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