Liz Vazquez For Alaska State Sentate

August 29, 2012

This morning, I wanted to thank all my supporters and volunteers who have worked with me on my campaign for the new Senate Seat for West Anchorage, District J.  I filed my intent to run last December and worked throughout the winter building a network and planning a campaign. I developed a flyer that told about my life story and background as a way to connect to voters and to run a race that set out the critical issues facing this state; these are issues that will affect how we live in Alaska for years to come: diversification of the economy; rationalization of the state budget, and better education achieved by meaningful reforms.

It was also designed to a campaign that was fresh, and full of new ideas ranging from the use of the Segway and Facebook to advocating for public-private partnerships as a way to build needed infrastructure in South-Central and throughout the state.  It is the approach I pursued when I was the Chair of Chugach Alaska, and which I sought to bring to the Senate. I ran for office from a belief that new leadership and new faces are needed in Juneau to end the gridlock; while there will always be differences of opinion, I believe that legislators should always be prepared to tackle the issues and proposed bills before them rather than bicker and end the session with major issues unresolved.

Beginning in the spring, I began to go door-to-door throughout the district, and canvassed areas of that include many different types of neighborhoods. I learned that many residents face serious water quality issues that could be fixed by the legislature through the creation of new water districts and issuance of long term utility bonds that run with the realty. I drove on roads that are reminiscent of those in a third world country despite a state capital budget that is much too large and spends money on trivial items and pet projects. I tried to reach out to each resident with a message of a need to change the status quo in the Senate and Juneau. In the process I learned a lot of about my fellow residents in West Anchorage, and I enjoyed meeting you.  No matter what the weather, I just kept going talking with voters and discussing issues.

Many of you shared these values and understood this message.  Many of you worked long hours and worked hard, and I appreciate that very much.  I enjoyed out time together and our meetings at local establishments such as Elm’s Café and Tastee Freeze. This campaign was not about fund raisers and email blasts. That is why I went door-to-door, and I appreciated the voters who put up my yard signs, followed our progress on the web site or sent messages via Facebook.  I hope that you will stay involved in our political process and always remember to vote.