Alaska Landmine Radio

Ralph Samuels - Episode 50

Jeff was joined by Ralph Samuels. Samuels served in the Alaska House from 2003-2009. Prior to that, he had a long career in aviation with PenAir. He now works as vice president of government and community relations for Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. They discuss his history in Alaska, the tragic murder of his brother in 1989 and how that got him involved in the political process, his time in the legislature, his 2010 run for governor, and what it's like being in Juneau. 

Jason Brune - Episode 49

Jeff was joined by Commissioner Designee Jason Brune. Brune was chosen by Governor Dunleavy as Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Conservation. They discuss his educational background, his work history in Alaska that included working on the Exxon Valdez clean up, serving as the executive director of the Resource Development Council, working for Anglo American, and CIRI. They also discuss his new job as Commissioner as well as the concerns some have raised about his previous work on the Pebble Mine.

Tom Begich - Episode 48

Jeff was joined by Senator Tom Begich (D - Anchorage). He was elected to the Senate in 2016 after former Senator Jonny Ellis decided not to run for re-election. He is the son of former Alaska Congressman Nick Begich and the older brother of former Alaska Senator Mark Begich. They discuss his family's history in Alaska, including the the tragic disappearance of the plane his dad was on, why he ran for office, and some of the tough issues facing Alaska. They also talk about Alaska's political history, specifically the impeachment hearings on Governor Bill Sheffield in 1985. He also tells a great story about a book his brother Nick wrote about the HAARP facility. 

Scott Kawasaki - Episode 47

Jeff was joined by newly elected Senator Scott Kawasaki (D - Fairbanks). Before being elected to the Senate last year, Kawasaki served 12 years in the House. They discuss his time in the legislature, his recent campaign, the budget and PFD, as well as the challenges for the average person to serve in the legislature. He also tells the story about an attempt to move him into a different district, that resulted in an epic fail, during the last redistricting. 

Libby Bakalar - Episode 46

Jeff was joined by Libby Bakalar. After attending Brooklyn Law School, Bakalar moved to Alaska in 2005 to take a judicial clerkship. She worked as a lawyer for the State of Alaska for 12 years. She was let go right after Governor Dunleavy took office. After, with the help of the ACLU, she filed a lawsuit against the administration for unconstitutional termination. She also started a blog, One Hot Mess, in 2014. It has become very popular and sometimes controversial. They discuss her blog, her work as a lawyer, as well as cultural and political issues.

Jim Johnsen - Episode 45

Jeff was joined by Jim Johnsen. Johnsen was appointed to serve as the 14th president of the University of Alaska on July 28, 2015. They discuss his history in Alaska, including his work in the private and public sector, the recent proposed cuts to the university system in Governor Dunleavy's budget, the structure of the University of Alaska system, as well as its history. They also discuss the HAARP Research Facility. 

Chris Birch - Episode 44

Jeff was joined by newly elected Senator Chris Birch (R - Anchorage). Birch was elected to the State Senate last year. He previously served one term in the Alaska House of Representatives. He also served three terms on the Anchorage Assembly as well as two terms on the Fairbanks Assembly. They discuss his history in Alaska, his background as a miner, his career in Alaska politics, the budget and PFD, and his current position as Chair of the Senate Resources Committee. 

Peter Micciche - Episode 43

Jeff was joined by Senator Peter Micciche (R - Soldotna). Micciche was elected to the Senate in 2012. They discuss his time in local politics, which included serving as Mayor of Soldotna, his take on the budget as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, his recent narrow win in the primary, and the infamous chainsaw mailer. He also tells the story of how he got a giant brown bear skull that is on his desk. 

Jesse Kiehl - Episode 42

Jeff was joined by newly elected Senator Jesse Keihl (D - Juneau). Before being elected to the Senate, Kiehl served on the Juneau Assembly and was a staffer to former Juneau Senator Dennis Egan. They discuss how it has been being in the Senate, the budget and PFD, as well as a great discussion about the Alaska Marine Highway System. He also tells an interesting story about a seismic upgrade to the Capitol Building. 

Colleen Sullivan-Leonard - Episode 41

Jeff was joined by Representative Colleen Sullivan-Leonard (R - Wasilla). She was first elected to the House in 2016. Her father, George Sullivan, and her brother Dan Sullivan, were both Anchorage mayors. They discuss her history working as a legislative staffer, working as the Mat-Su Director for three governors, the organizational issues in the House during the first 30 days of session, the budget, and a bill she has on private police. She also talks about how she met her husband on a blind date.