Hawaii and Alaska have been connected in many ways for a long time.
It’s a special place with a wonderful Aloha spirit those of us blessed to have been there know as “island time”.
My colleague and longtime friend Eva Andrade runs Hawaii Family Forum and she’s on the show today talking about the challenges the 50th state has with a predominantly Democrat political environment. As with other blue states though, she is doing amazing work motivating and equipping the Body of Christ to be salt and light in the public policy arena.
Eva is unique in that she also serves as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Catholic Conference.
Please tune in for our chat. Mahalo !
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Why Are the Two Ryans Running?
Conservative Voters Deserve an Answer.
As conservatives prepare to vote in the August primary, one question deserves thoughtful consideration:
Why are Ryan Berry and Ryan Sheldon trying to unseat two of the Mat-Su Valley’s most respected conservative legislators—Sen. Cathy Tilton and Sen. George Rauscher?
This isn’t an attack. It’s an honest question.
And it’s one that deserves an honest answer.
For years, the Mat-Su Valley has sent principled conservatives to Juneau to fight for limited government, constitutional liberties, parental rights, election integrity, responsible spending, and the sanctity of life. Few legislators have established stronger conservative credentials than Cathy Tilton and George Rauscher.
Throughout their legislative service, both have consistently earned the trust of conservative organizations and grassroots activists. They have repeatedly stood against tax increases, defended individual liberty, supported parents, protected the unborn, and resisted the ever-growing reach of government. Their records are well known because they have been tested through years of difficult votes and political pressure.
That naturally raises several questions.
What exactly have Cathy Tilton and George Rauscher done that warrants replacing them?
Was there a major conservative principle they abandoned?
Did they suddenly become moderates?
Did they vote with liberals?
Did they betray the values of the Mat-Su Valley?
If the answer is yes, voters deserve to know exactly when and how.
If the answer is no, then why challenge them?
Running for public office is every citizen’s right. Competition is healthy, and contested elections are part of representative government.
But challenging a proven conservative is different than challenging an entrenched liberal.
When conservatives run against conservatives, the burden should be on the challenger to explain why replacing a dependable conservative benefits the conservative movement.
That explanation has not been obvious.
Instead, many grassroots conservatives are asking whether these campaigns unnecessarily divide conservative voters, consume donor resources, volunteer time, and campaign energy that could instead be directed toward expanding conservative majorities elsewhere in Alaska.
Those are legitimate questions.
They are not personal. They are political. And they deserve public answers.
So we’d like to ask both candidates directly.
Ryan Berry:
Why are you asking voters to replace Sen. Cathy Tilton?
What votes has she cast that convince you she should no longer represent her district?
What conservative principle has she compromised?
What would you do differently?
Would you caucus with the Democrats to give them even more power ?
Ryan Sheldon:
Why are you asking voters to replace Sen. George Rauscher?
Which positions has he taken that you believe are inconsistent with conservative values?
What specific legislative accomplishments or policy differences justify replacing him?
Would you caucus with the Democrats to give them even more power ?
These questions are not meant to discourage participation in the political process.
They are meant to encourage accountability.
Conservative voters should never vote based simply on a familiar name, an attractive campaign sign, or promises of “new leadership.”
They should understand why a challenger believes a proven conservative should be replaced.
Until those answers are clearly articulated, many Mat-Su voters will continue asking the same simple question:
Why are the Two Ryans running against two of Alaska’s strongest conservative legislators?
Inquiring minds really do want to know.
And before ballots are cast, conservative voters deserve thoughtful, substantive answers.
If Ryan Berry and Ryan Sheldon believe Senators Tilton and Rauscher should no longer represent the Mat-Su, we invite them to publicly answer these questions. Alaska voters deserve a respectful, issue-based explanation—not personalities, but policies; not slogans, but substance.”