Editor’s Note: Alaska’s state primary elections are less than a week away, and except for the incumbents, most of the names on the ballot probably aren’t familiar to most Alaskans.
In these last days before the primary, the Empire will be introducing you to the men and women appearing on the Aug. 16 ballot. This is the third of six stories devoted to the topic. For the first story, click here, and the second, click here.
—
Cean (pronounced see-ann) Stevens is the only Libertarian Party candidate for U.S. Senate and is guaranteed to appear on November’s general election ballot regardless of Tuesday’s vote. Nevertheless, thanks to Alaska’s elections laws, her name will appear alongside those of the two Democratic candidates on the ballots used by non-Republican voters.
In November, she will face the winner of the Republican and Democratic primaries, as well as independent candidates Margaret Stock, Breck Craig, Ted Gianoutsos and Jed Whittaker. Veterans Party candidate Bruce Walden is also expected to appear on the November ballot.
Stevens, who owns and operates two businesses from her hometown of Anchorage, was not available for an interview due to a family emergency, said her campaign manager, Michael Chambers.
While the candidate herself was unavailable to answer questions, Chambers offered statements that explain her position. These statements were verified against statements posted on her campaign website and provided to the Alaska Division of Elections.
“She’s a conservative libertarian,” he said, explaining that her bottom-line position is that “we believe in the government leaving people alone.”
She views the national debt as a paramount concern. “She owns two businesses and she believes the government should run its business,” Chambers said.
Unique among the candidates running for U.S. Senator from Alaska, Stevens has vowed that if she is elected, she will serve two terms at most. “Congress was not designed as a retirement home for politicians,” she said in a statement provided to the Division of Elections.
With regard to foreign policy, Chambers explained that Stevens only supports military action against an opponent that has been an aggressor.
“We take the first punch, but we give the second punch,” he said.
On immigration, Stevens wrote to the Division of Elections that, “Our existing immigration laws need to be enforced. All applicants must be able to speak English, and owe their allegiance solely to America just as our laws require. Guest worker programs must be strictly monitored for violations. There should be substantial fines for employers who break the terms of the program. Refugees must be thoroughly vetted.”
One of the biggest issues in the coming U.S. Senate term will be the nomination and confirmation of a replacement for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Of Stevens, Chambers said: “She’s an originalist in the Constitution. She’s not into the interpretation of the Constitution.”
That would lead to a replacement along Scalia’s lines.
Stevens supports the sovereignty of Alaska Native tribes and is anti-abortion. “The beginning of life is scientifically clear,” she said in her campaign statement.
With regard to the nation’s presidential choices, Chambers said she’s on the fence about supporting Donald Trump or Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, whom Chambers called “basically a liberal-leaning Republican.”
• Contact reporter James Brooks at 523-2258 or james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com.
More election coverage:
In Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Blatchford and Metcalfe promote campaign reform
Read more local news:
Channel Construction plans new barge landing next to DIPAC
One of Juneau’s oldest bars is getting a new name and new look
