Justin Parish, Democratic candidate for House District 34, prepares to pose for a photo with supporters Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.

Justin Parish, Democratic candidate for House District 34, prepares to pose for a photo with supporters Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.

Parish and Muñoz slog door to door toward Election Day result

For Justin Parish and Cathy Muñoz, the race for House District 34 ends today.

Election Day culminates a busy campaign for the underdog Democrat and the established Republican, each of whom spent a frenetic weekend knocking on doors and shaking hands.

Despite their differences, the two candidates began that busy weekend the same way — with breakfast.

“We’re coming in to a landing,” Muñoz told a supporter in a back room of Donna’s Restaurant.

Each weekend during the campaign’s final month, Muñoz volunteers fortified themselves with breakfast here before trudging out to knock on every residential door in the district. On this, the final weekend, campaign manager Matthew Gruening paid for 30 breakfasts before heading across Glacier Highway to the Rie Muñoz Gallery, where Muñoz has her campaign headquarters in a back room.

“It’s hectic. We’ve got a big day today,” Muñoz said.

On a paper map, Gruening used markers to outline routes for teams of volunteers. Each leaned over to get a closer look.

“It’s just a ‘lit drop’; you’re not knocking on doors,” he said, handing out Zip-loc bags filled with campaign literature bound for doorknobs and doorstops.

“We’re trying to hit the most dense areas,” he explained of his strategy.

One volunteer interrupted with a question — “Where’s my hat?” she asked.

Gruening, at a loss, explained that there weren’t any more to give out. After a pause, he then lifted his own hat and set it on her head.

She smiled. “I want souvenirs,” she said, grabbing a handful of campaign buttons before heading out the door.

A mile and a half away, Parish was enacting a similar scene in the community room of the Mendenhall Library. Where Muñoz’s volunteers fed themselves at Donna’s, Parish and campaign manager Steve SueWing provided boxes of fresh fruit and pastries.

Parish had fewer volunteers than Muñoz, but they were just as enthusiastic. In the library, Parish also attracted passers-by who were interested in the happenings. As he posed for pictures, SueWing looked on.

“Make sure it’s tilted to the left,” he joked while Parish held a campaign sign.

As Parish’s group left the library, he began talking to a man who said he supports Donald Trump for President.

Parish has said he supports Hillary Clinton, but made his case anyway.

“If we can just get a bunch of honest people in government, we’d do a lot better,” he told the man, who listened politely.

Parish explained that he might not be a billionaire, but like Trump, he’s spent a lot of his own money on his campaign.

“Running for office has pretty much bankrupted me,” he said.

He said his goal has been to make people understand that the Alaska Legislature needs to change.

“We agree, even people, very conservative people,” Parish said.

While Muñoz headed from her headquarters to knock on doors, Parish’s first stop was a Mendenhall Flying Lions fundraiser at McGivney’s to shake hands. After that, he intended to go door-to-door himself.

“People are super-nice,” he said of his experience. “We live in a polite town.”

Both candidates spent Sunday repeating their Saturday pattern, then on Monday joined sign-waving details in the Valley and at the edge of downtown.

Heavy, chilly rain and blowing wind didn’t keep a hardy handful of volunteers from joining the candidates.

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Gruening said.

The same might be said for voters awaiting the result.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Rep. Cathy Muñoz, at background right, talks to campaign volunteers and staff as she plans her walking route Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.

Rep. Cathy Muñoz, at background right, talks to campaign volunteers and staff as she plans her walking route Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.

District 34 candidate Justin Parish waves to evening commuters at the corner of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road on the eve on the national and state elections Monday, Nov. 7, 2016.

District 34 candidate Justin Parish waves to evening commuters at the corner of Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road on the eve on the national and state elections Monday, Nov. 7, 2016.

Rep. Cathy Muñoz waves to evening commuters on the eve of the national and state elections Nov. 7, 2016.

Rep. Cathy Muñoz waves to evening commuters on the eve of the national and state elections Nov. 7, 2016.

Juan Muñoz waves a large sign for his wife, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, during the evening commute on the eve of the national and state elections Nov. 7, 2016.

Juan Muñoz waves a large sign for his wife, Rep. Cathy Muñoz, during the evening commute on the eve of the national and state elections Nov. 7, 2016.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Funding for the federal government will lapse at 8:01 p.m. Alaska time on Friday if no deal is reached. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A federal government shutdown may began tonight. Here’s what may happen.

TSA will still screen holiday travelers, military will work without paychecks; food stamps may lapse.

The cover image from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Alaska Priorities For Federal Transition” report. (Office of the Governor)
Loch Ness ducks or ‘vampire grebes’? Alaska governor report for Trump comes with AI hallucinations

A ChatGPT-generated image of Alaska included some strange-looking waterfowl.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, along with Juneau’s police and fire departments, are partnering in a new behavioral health crisis response program announced Thursday. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)
New local behavioral health crisis program using hospital, fire and police officials debuts

Mobile crisis team of responders forms five months after hospital ends crisis stabilization program.

Most Read