|
|
|
State News Release |
Home | Press | State Press |
| Sykes Files for U.S. Senate Campaign in Alaska. |
|
January 26, 2004 Jim Sykes announced his run for U.S. Senate, Thursday, January 22nd in Anchorage. The "Sykes for Alaska " announcement ceremony began with a welcome from a representative of Eklutna Native Village which traditionally occupied and used the area that is now Anchorage. Sykes spoke about his own political history, several issues, and challenged all candidates for the race to accept campaign donations only from Alaskans--an issue he has worked on for many years. The two leading candidates, former Governor Tony Knowles (D) and present incumbent Lisa Murkowski-R (appointed by her father to fill his unfinished term) have very soft support and the race looks wide open. Sykes is asking for 5,000 Alaskans to donate an average of $100 in order to have an honest shot at what amounts to an open seat. Near the end of the well attended press conference, Elder and Chief Marie Smith of the Eyak people expressed her support for Sykes as a "friend of Native peoples." Sykes will be putting together campaign staff and a headquarters in Anchorage over the next month and doing lots of fundraising. Sykes was one of the founders of the Green Party of Alaska when he ran for Governor in 1990 and received more than 3% of the vote, making Alaska the first state to grant ballot status to the Greens. He recently stepped down from being a state party co-chair in order to run the race. He stated, "This race is not symbolic or for raising issues. This race is for the win!" Jim Sykes PO Box 696 Palmer, AK 99645 ------------------- PRESS RELEASE SYKES SEEKS U.S. SENATE SEAT, CHALLENGES OTHER CANDIDATES' FUNDRAISING Jim Sykes announced a run for the U.S. Senate today in Anchorage. He said the decision came only after careful consideration, talking with many Alaskans, doing lots of research and permission from my wife to put some finishes on our straw bale house aside. Sykes challenged the other candidates for U.S. Senate to raise funds only from Alaskan individuals saying, "We need an election by Alaskans and for Alaskans without interference from Outside special interests that try to influence the campaign. He spoke about his experience and said said: "For the past 20 years I've fought for people's rights from the Alaska Native Review Commission to local community councils, regional plans and defending the Permanent Fund Dividend. I pushed for an All-Alaska Gas line, protecting the Arctic Refuge, ensuring healthy competition for North Slope oil by helping to stop BP s takeover of Arco. My experience working with people across the political spectrum will be essential to ensure Alaskan interests are protected in the U.S. Senate. I will continue my efforts for universal health care for everyone, people's rights and sustainable economies that have clean air and water. For many years I have worked to get the Big money out of Alaska politics and I have challenged the other candidates not to accept campaign funds from Outside Alaska. The Sykes for Alaska campaign will accept donations only from individual Alaskans. I will continue my work for "clean election" reform if elected to the U.S. Senate. We need a Senator that represents Alaskans - not Outside special interests." Sykes added that he looked forward to listening to the ideas and suggestions from Alaskans as the Sykes for Senate campaign grows across the state.
|
|
State News Release |
Home | Press | State Press |
