An exclusive interview with Alaska’s Lt. Gov GOP candidate Eddie Burke

Burke cited building a natural gas pipeline, budgetary issues, and a parental notification initiative as his priority issues for Alaska. He stated that a natural gas pipeline project “would be responsible for delivering jobs and energy to Alaskans and Americans throughout the lower forty-eight.”

He argued, “Alaska is probably the wealthiest state in the nation, but if we continue down the same path of passing unsustainable budgets, Alaska could very well end up like California.”

“Alaskans are going to have the opportunity to approve a citizen’s initiative – Proposition 2 – allowing parents to be notified if their minor child seeks to have an abortion,” adding, “I hope to be lieutenant governor when this initiative passes, so I can be involved in my authority to write the regulations.”

Burke is up against Jay Ramras, who was reported as saying “Vetoes are negative. Vagina is positive and beautiful” in 2008, and Mead Treadwell, who stated in 2008 that “Mr. Chairman, to conclude, we understand it is this nation’s goal – expressed with other nations – to reverse the trend of climate change caused by humans. In the Arctic, research to support adaptation to and mitigation of climate change is high on our agenda.”

A July 15 press release from Burke’s campaign states that it is Treadwell’s “donations to liberal, big-government Democrats Matt Claman (here and here) and Sheila Selkregg (here) that should concern Republicans and Independents alike.” Burke disclosed to me that “Many members of the Alaska Tea Party movement are supporting me. I have much support from the Second-Amendment community. And, I am also hoping for the Alaska Right to Life endorsement.”

With respect to the national scene, Burke affirmed that “Alaska has a potentially dramatic role to play as America’s leader in providing jobs and natural-resource supply.” He added, “We have an administration at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that could be creating thousands of jobs and pursuing the responsible development of crude oil for hungry markets around America. Unfortunately, America has a 10% unemployment rate, and President Obama sits idle because he wants to please the environmental obstructionists.”

Burke also paid tribute to Sarah Palin, who is the figure he claimed to identify with in terms of ideology, stand on the issues, and approach to the problems facing Alaska and the U.S. at large. He said, “Sarah Palin has tried her best to educate America on the vast opportunities Alaska has to offer. We need to keep the story going.” He added, “She and I have agreed on many issues facing Alaska and America. I have witnessed Sarah not only as a political leader, but also as a wife and mother. Her devotion to her children and husband are to be admired.”

My final question was “Why should Alaska choose Eddie Burke?” Burke responded with this: “People should not choose me. Instead, they should choose individual freedom and liberty. If they want a candidate who wants to give them the freedom to make their own important decisions in their lives, a candidate who would give them a variety of options to educate their children, a candidate who will get government off their backs and out of their lives, a candidate who supports their right to bear arms, and a candidate who will protect the life of the unborn, then I am the best candidate to vote for.”

In the spirit of his down-to-earth character, Burke invited me on up to visit his “beautiful state,” an offer I will likely jump at sooner rather than later.

For more information on Eddie Burke, please visit eddieburkeforalaska.com.

Jedediah Bila is a conservative columnist and commentator living in New York City. For more information on Jedediah, please visit jedediahbila.com.