Alaska Home Educators Alliance (AHEA) Candidate Questionnaire - August 2008
(updated 10/24/08)
Candidates who answered yes to all questions are highlighted in blue.
Questions Key:  Y=Yes, N=No, *=See Comments below the list of candidates for that seat, P=Please Call Me
  Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Candidate_Name Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5
United States Senate 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Mark Begich (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Ted Gianoutsos No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Fredrick D. "David" Haase (Libertarian) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Ted Stevens (Republican) -Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
United States Representative Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Ethan A. Berkowitz (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Don R. Wright (Alaskan Independence) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Don E. Young (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District A Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Bert K. Stedman (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District C 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Albert M. Kookesh (Democrat) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
   Rosemary A. "Rory" Schneeberger (Non-Partisan) Y Y N*  Y Y
State Senate District C Rosemary A. Rory Schneeberger #2 - Will support Alaskan families in curriculum/materials choices BEYOND those aligned to state standards.
The child is NOT the creature of the state, so why align your family up to "state standards" which  MAY be lacking and not in touch or  sensitivity with your experience, 
beliefs, lifestyle, opinions...         #3 -  Parental choice in children's curriculum should require NO legislative review or interference.                     
State Senate District E 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Cynthia Henry (Republican) Y Y P* Y Y
Joe Paskvan (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
*Senate District E: Cynthia Henry - # 3 - Stated she needed more info. Per phone call: "I am very supportive of religious eduation, funding not precluded. I can not commit to co-sponsoring legislation at this time."
State Senate District G Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Erick Cordero (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Linda K. Menard (Republican) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District I 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Steven C. Amundson (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Fred J. Dyson (Republican) - Incumbent  Y Y Y Y Y
State Senate District K Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Bettye J. Davis (Democrat) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Dave Harbour (Republican) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District M Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Hollis S. French II (Democrat) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District O 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Kevin Meyer (Republican) Y Y Y Y Y
Douglas P. "Doug" Van Etten (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District Q Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Nels Anderson (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Thomas H. "Tom" Wagoner (Republican) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State Senate District T Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Donald C. "Donny" Olson (Democrat) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 1 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Kyle B. Johansen (Republican) -Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 2 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Lisa A. "Lily" Herwald (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Peggy Wilson (Republican) - Incumbent * Y * Y Y & P
House District 2 - Peggy Wilson - #1 Yes for In-District.  10/19/phone after futher explanation of the intent of the task force - "I'd rather do something else. Task Forces
tend to be quite expensive and not accomplish as much as you hope for." #3 10/19/phone - "The problem with bills is that so much gets added into what you start out 
with. I voted for the bill in 2002 and would be interested in supporting a bill that allows parents to use any materials they want as long as they are learning and take the 
test."
State House District 3 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Beth Kerttula (Democrat) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 4 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Andrea Doll (Democrat) - Incumbent  Y & P Y Y Y Y
Cathy Engstrom Munoz (Republican) P Y Y Y Y
House District 4 - Cathy Munoz #1 - Need more info. 
State House District 5 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Tim R. June (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
William A. "Bill" Thomas Jr. (Republican) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 6 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Woodie W. Salmon (Democrat) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Ward H. Sattler (Republican) Y Y P Y Y & P
State House District 7 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Karl Kassel (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Mike Kelly (Republican) -Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 8 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Will Finley (Republican) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
David Guttenberg (Democrat) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 9 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Sue Hull (Republican) P P P Y Y
Scott Kawasaki (Democrat) - Incumbent Y Y Y* Y Y
   House District 9 - Scott Kawasaki (Democrat) - #3 - "I do not cosponsor unless I can help!"
State House District 10 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
John S. Brown (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Jay Ramras (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 11 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Corey D. Allen (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
John B. Coghill Jr. (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 12 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
John L. Harris (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Nancy Lethcoe (Democrat) Y Y Y Y Y
   House District 12 - Nancy Lethcoe (Democrat) - "We home schooled our daughter during high school."
State House District 13 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
David Cheezem (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Carl J. Gatto (Republican) - Incumbent Y * * P *
State House District 13 Carl J. Gatto:
# 2 - / conversation 10/21 -  Expressed concerned about the use of the word guarantee.  "I'm not not capable, able to get a guarantee." Stated that he was strongly 
impressed with homeschoolers and will look into homeschooler's concerns.
#3 - / conversation 10/21 -  Stated he will seek the opinion of respected legislators who were around then.  He "would support a new bill..assuming the original intent is in
 dispute."
#4 - (when conversing, we did not get to this question)
#5 - Originally responded yes - / conversation 10/21 - Expressed concerned about the questionnaire's comments/question - particularly the appearance "of promising to 
do something for the (campaign) support of homeschoolers."  Rep. Gatto stated several times that he "supports homeschoolers."
  1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Wes Keller (Republican) - Inucmbent  Y Y Y Y Y & P
Rose Smith (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
House District 14 - Wes Keller - #5 Yes, Please call me at 376-6115!
State House District 15 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
Lew Dischner (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Mark A. Neuman (Republican) - Incumbent Y Y Y Y Y & P
State House District 16 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Beverly Serrano (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Bill Stoltze (Republican) - Incumbent Y Y Y Y Y
State House District 17 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Anna I. Fairclough (Republican) - Incumbent  No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
William A. "Bill" Gossweiler (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 18 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Nancy A. Dahlstrom (Republican) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 19 1. Would you support a task force that would work to restore curricular choice (that is aligned to state standards) to the district that serves the students? 2. Would you work with our families to guarantee that homeschool parents can use any materials which are aligned to state standards?  3. Would you co-sponsor legislation that affirms the original law and district processes of review/approval for use of privately-purchased materials? 4. Do you support the right of Alaskans to homeschool independently without government funding or intervention?  5. Would you like us to tell our member families you would welcome their help in your campaign?
James "Pete" Petersen (Democrat) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Bob Roses (Republican) - Incumbent Y Y Y * Y
House District 19 - Bob Roses #3 - "It is a violation of legislative ethics to promise a vote or action for political gain."   Called and explained that AHEA is not endorsing a candidate.

With that understanding, and the latest legal opinion on surveys, Rep. Roses stated "Yes."  
#4 - "There needs to be oversight, but not total control." Called and asked for further clarification. "Government should help people, not hinder them. I don't think Big Brother needs 
to stand over a homeschooler's shoulder, but I am concerned that the uneducated not become burdens to the state. 
State House District 20 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Max F. Gruenberg Jr. (Democrat) - Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Scott A. Kohlhaas (Libertarian) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 21 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Gene W. Brokaw (Republican) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Harry T. Crawford Jr. (Democrat)- Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 22 Click here to print candidate's questionnaire  or copy and send this link - www.AHEAnow.org/08aheaquest.pdf 
Sharon M. Cissna (Democrat)- Incumbent No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
Mark S. Fish (Republican) No Response No Response No Response No Response No Response
State House District 23