Weather report: Despite heavy snow last week, increasing daylight suggests a growing likelihood of summer.

Political Forecast: Alaskans ready for new leadership and new direction. That’s what I heard over the last couple of weeks as I criss-crossed the state, from Nome to the Mat-Su and the Kenai. I heard it from seniors and I heard it from students.

The high cost of energy is a concern at the forefront of my campaign. Our utility bills are too high, and we have the ability to do something about it. We can gear up for a gasline, and even do the exploration and development needed for Cook Inlet or Nenana Basin gas. We can bring local, low-cost renewable energy resources like wind and geothermal on-line. We can make sure that Alaska’s energy fuels Alaska.

As long as energy costs are high, schools spend money on electrical bills, not classrooms. Family budgets strain under the load. We export raw materials and let others add value and collect the big profits from Alaska’s resources. And, as Juneau is unfortunately aware, we remain vulnerable to energy price changes when disaster strikes. Alaska can achieve energy security and energy independence – if we make those objectives our goals, and if we implement the policies to make them real.

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Snapshots on the Campaign Trail

During the last few weeks, I have been everywhere from Nome to Kenai.

I attended the joint Kawerak/Norton Sound board meeting in Nome and walked around town with Mayor Denise Michaels. I had so much fun dog mushing that I missed my plane out of town!

I traveled down the Kenai Peninsula where I spoke with the folks who run the Central Kenai Peninsula Hospital about trying to balance the amazing innovations in healthcare with the lack of access.

In Homer, during my “meet and greet” at the Captain’s Roast Coffee Shop, I spoke with residents about ways to offset the high cost for fuel throughout our state.

In Soldotna, during a Chamber lunch, I explained how I would restore trust in government and move forward from the recent scandals.

In Kenai, on my way out to visit the ConocoPhillips LNG plant, I stopped in and spoke with Mayor John Williams about the closing of Agrium and the need for new job development in the region for economic stability.

I visited the Sterling Senior Center and had a wonderful time talking to Dorothy Westfall and Dillon and Jean Kimple – they told me about the benefit of the great facility they’re in the process of remodeling.

Every single Alaskan has an opinion on issues that are facing the state, but there was one common thread. Whether they think the most important thing is: getting a gasline now, solving the healthcare crisis, giving our children a better education, or offering solutions for climate change - the same message comes through - people are ready for change.

Tags: campaign