KNOM spoke to each of the four candidates running for Alaska’s sole seat in the US House of Representatives. This interview profiles Jim McDermott, Libertarian candidate.
The paragraphs below summarize statements made by Mr. McDermott during his conversation with KNOM. Profiles of his opponents are also available: Don Young (incumbent), Steve Lindbeck, and Bernie Souphanavong.
Background: Jim McDermott is currently a University Instructor and a small business mentor. He has taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 2008. He was formerly the director of the Small Business Development Center in Fairbanks, AK. Before that he worked as an UAA enrollment services specialist and college recruiter for DeVry University. He is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force after serving for 22 years and earning the rank of Master Sergeant. During his service, he was awarded multiple medals including four Air Force Commendation medals.
Why run for Congress?: McDermott followed his own advice, which he gave to his class of college students, about considering pursuing politics so as to bring an Alaskan mindset to D.C.
He is running for the Libertarian party for many reasons, but one of them is to end the “perpetual wars that neither of the other two parties can seem to get out of,” McDermott says.
Education: As a University Instructor, McDermott believes that the policy on education should not be based on a “one size fits all” mentality. He would prefer that local communities have more power and control over what they teach in their schools rather than politicians in D.C. deciding a national educational policy for every school in the country.
Reaction to State Budget/Economy: McDermott wants to focus on strengthening small businesses by removing the regulations and burdens on them. He says small businesses account for 97% of all businesses in the United States, and they can help secure Alaska’s economy.
When discussing the current state budget situation, McDermott said he would not have taken away half of the peoples’ dividends as a solution.
Rural Alaska/Arctic issues: McDermott says he would improve infrastructure in the Arctic regions of Alaska by focusing on small businesses. When talking to Alaskans from all over the state during a summer class he was teaching, McDermott says some of those people wanted bed and breakfasts or other small businesses in their communities. He says he would help develop those businesses to build infrastructure in rural, Arctic communities.
Energy/Oil: McDermott supports the use of alternative energy sources such as natural gas, wind, or solar power as opposed to relying solely on oil. McDermott says our leaders need to step up in order to develop one of these alternative energy sources.
Opioids/Drugs: McDermott believes that marijuana should be regulated in the same manner as alcohol. He would rather see some of our nation’s wealth spent on educating people about the danger of alcohol and drug abuse, rather than spent on incarcerating people for marijuana use and sales.
Final Thoughts: “An important part of communication is listening, and that’s the one skill I see lacking in Washington, D.C. They can speak well, but they don’t listen well, and that’s something that I bring to the table. I will listen to the Alaskan people, I will hear the Alaskan people, I won’t interrupt the Alaskan people as they speak to me. I will hear them out and we will move forward,” said McDermott.
