Rep. Bob Herron is running for his fifth term in the Alaska State House. He represents the lower Kuskokwim and surrounding coastal villages of House District 38. He's now headed back to Juneau for yet another special session. But this weekend, he had time to campaign in Kwethluk during the village’s Independence Day Celebration.
Transcript:
[Boat stops]
Herron docks his Woolridge boat outside Kwethluk, about a half hour upriver from Bethel.
[Anchor clanking]
He grabs his campaign signs and a small backpack, and we climb up the bank where a man is walking by.
Herron: Mr. Long! What’s going on, Richard? Good to see you.
Long: Nice seeing you.
Herron: Been a while.
Long: Yeah.
Richard Long chairs the Kwethluk Advisory School Board. He served with Herron on the Lower Kuskokwim School Board years ago, and he is a cousin of Herron’s wife, Margaret.
Long; I’m supporting Mr. Herron. He’s done a lot for the region, and he’s done a tremendous job for us, because we’re getting a new school.
A skeleton of the new school stands down the road. Money for construction had passed during one of Herron’s former terms.
[Dogs howling]
Just as dogs start howling, Mr. Long asks Herron what he thinks his chances are running against Zach Fansler.
Herron: My record versus his record, I guess. My experience with the region.
Long: That’s what counts.
Two more men stop to say hi.
Man: Margaret with you?
Herron: No, she’s in Seattle.
This keeps happening as Herron walks around town. People welcome him to Kwethluk, say hi, ask about Margaret. She grew up in the region, has family here, and worked with the school district for decades. Before leaving, Mr. Long agrees to let Herron hang a campaign sign on his house.
Long: My house is kinda tan-ish with red trimming.
Herron calls Mr. Long an Elder with a capital E.
Herron: Alright, last stop will be your house.
Long: Alright. Good luck, Mr. Herron.
KYUK: How many signs did you bring?
Herron: Seven. I didn’t want to plaster it, because you put them in the right place or someone’s house who’s considered an elder. You don’t need too many of them.
KYUK: Do you feel comfortable that you’re going to get reelected?
Herron: I’m confident that I have support. Not by all, but I do have the support of many people, and my record, that’s what people have to consider.
[Stapling]
Herron hangs more signs, stapling them to buildings. They’re blue, white, and yellow. Some he hangs next to Zach Fansler signs. This is what Herron is doing outside the store when he runs into Kwethluk City Council member, Liz Dillon.
Herron: Hey Liz!
Dillon: You! What are you hiding behind the damn door?
Herron: Put a sign up.
Dillon: How are you?
Herron: Good. Good to see you.
Dillon: Where’s the wife?
Herron: She’s in Seattle with the grandbaby.
KYUK: How do you know Bob?
Dillon: How do I know you? All I know is he’s a common person like any of us. Just like common Eskimo person. He’s quiet. He cares.
KYUK: Have you voted for Bob Herron before?
Dillon: All the time, since I’m a democratic.
Dillon says she knows Herron’s wishes to help Alaska Natives. But she hasn’t heard those wishes from Fansler. She doesn’t elaborate on what those wishes are.
Fansler visited Kwethluk the night before for fiddle and bingo, and he’ll arrive shortly after Herron leaves today. Fansler also visited the town in late June.
[Sound of kids playing]
Outside the school kids are playing basketball. It’s the center of the town’s Independence Day celebration.
There’re games like piggyback racing, sprints, and balloon toss.
Lady: Ready…Go!
[Cheering]
Herron hands the lady running the games a bag of candy for prizes. He pulls out more candy from his bag, handing pieces to kids.
Herron: Hey! How’re you? Cama-i!
Herron says he has $14,000 in his campaign account. Half of that is his own money and the rest donations. He hasn’t held a fundraiser, but says he might soon. And the special session—that’s cramping his campaigning.
Herron: Hopefully, the Legislature, specifically the House, will figure out a way to have some sort of dividend restructure. I have no idea what it’s going to look like, but I think it’s necessary. And at least, I hope we have a debate on some of the taxes.
Herron wants to restructure the permanent fund dividend to $1,500 for this year, $1,250 the next, and then $1,000 the year after. That’s a change from Gov. Walker’s decision to cut dividends to $1,000. If there’s no reduction, Herron says the state will lose the dividend. But cutting too much too fast is no good, because many people in the YK Delta depend on the checks to offset living costs.
Herron says he could probably support a fisheries tax and an income tax, if it doesn’t unfairly affects one segment of the population.
Herron: We got a lot of work to do. Well, looks like the boat survived.
[Wet, washy, sloshy sound, then boat rev to speed]
With the last sign hung, we climb back in the boat, and return to Bethel. The next day, Herron will get on a plane and fly to Juneau.
Herron has also campaigned in Toksook Bay, Kasigluk, Crooked Creek, Napaimute, Upper Kalskag, and Bethel.
