Mike Chenault in 2018 AK Governor's race
On Corporations:
I know how business works and I know how government works
Rep. Mike Chenault visited the Sitka Chamber of Commerce and gave the group some background on his story in Alaska. "I've lived on the Kenai Peninsula for 50 years," Chenault said. "I met a gal, been married for 40 years. I have 5 kids and 4 grand dogs.
For a number of years we ran a family construction business that at any one time employed up to 525 employees. So I do know about making a payroll. I know how business works. Also I have a second career: I was elected to the House of Representatives in
2001, and I've served in that body until this year. I was the co-chair of the operating budget for four years, and I was also speaker of the House for eight years. So I know how government works, or how it should work."Chenault lost his job as
speaker in 2016, when three of his fellow Republicans aligned with Democrats to create a bipartisan majority. In 2014, Alaskans also put an independent in the governor's office, Bill Walker, and Chenault doesn't think it's been going that well.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska gubernatorial race
May 21, 2018
On Civil Rights:
Lambasted laughing at same-sex equality issue, apologizes
Miller asked the Republican House caucus if they would support legally recognized civil unions or domestic partnerships for same sex couples in Alaska. He got his answer--uproarious laughter. Leading the bellowing guffaws were Speaker of the House
Mike Chenault. "I completely agree: laughter was inappropriate. However, it's clear from the totality of the response the laughter was in reaction to which legislator had to field the difficult question, and did not go to the merits of the issue."
Source: Huffington Post on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Dec 6, 2017
On Crime:
Was co-signer of mandate requesting prison reform solutions
The legislation created the 13 member˙Criminal Justice Commission.˙That new state entity was tasked with recommending reforms to the state's justice system. In 2015, Walker, House Speaker Mike Chenault and Senate President Kevin Meyer gave the
commission a mandate.˙They signed a letter˙with 3 other GOP legislative leaders˙that asked for reform recommendations to hit 3 different budget-cutting targets: averting all future prison growth and cutting the current prison population by 15% or 25 %.
Source: CorrectionsOne.com on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Oct 24, 2017
On Education:
Students futures depend on an education that prepares them
"I am looking at all the options to see if the support is there to run for Governor in 2018," said Chenault, in a statement released this afternoon. "I'm not satisfied with the direction of the current administration and
where the state is headed. We need to resolve our fiscal issues, create a climate where businesses can thrive, and continue to develop an educational system that will enable our children to learn and be part of our future work force."
Source: Must Read Alaska on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Sep 12, 2017
On Technology:
Priority in budget for renewable energy infrastructure
We are proud of the investments the Legislature has made for the 2009 fiscal year. Operating and capital budgets are expressions of policy and priorities. The final budgets show our commitment to saving the surplus, minimizing growth to the operating
budget, supporting communities and investing in infrastructure. The cost of energy is the most critical issue facing our state. A renewable energy fund was established to make resources available for investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Sep 29, 2016
On Abortion:
Says he's pro life defending a sidelined anti-abortion bill
Anti-abortion advocates say that House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, has sidelined one of their priority bills in the Alaska Legislature by referring it to a committee chaired by an opponent of the legislation,
Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer. "The bill went to a committee because it has jurisdiction, and that's about all I'm going to say," Chenault said. He added, as he walked away: "I am pro-life, by the way."
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Sep 28, 2016
On Health Care:
Any expansion of Medicaid must be result of careful analysis
The Alaska Legislative Council voted to file an injunction against the governor for his attempt to expand Medicaid without authorization. Medicaid covers Alaska's most vulnerable: families, pregnant mothers, disabled and children. Many legislators
support extending Medicaid if it's the outcome of a smart process. Any expansion must be driven by answers instead of by questions. Prudence demands sideboards and reforms to our system in order to protect the vulnerable Medicaid currently serves.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2016
On Energy & Oil:
Natural gas pipeline & North Slope development are crucial
Our state faces critical issues: declining revenues, oil production, getting our gas to market in time to compete with growing world demand and project competition. A natural gas pipeline and development of our North Slope resources are crucial
to our state's future. While an instate line could help alleviate energy problems, a bigger LNG project may help bolster state revenues until we see the benefits of new oil production fostered by the oil tax reform passed last year.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2016
On Gun Control:
Backs new law that allows concealed weapons across state
A new anti-gun-control law in Alaska will allow handgun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit--even in the 7 cities where permits are now required. Chenault said a law-abiding citizen should be able to carry a firearm wherever he wants to,
but in Alaska, that citizen may be breaking the law and not even know it. "You could leave home with a gun in your vehicle and find yourself in conflict with laws in other municipalities just by driving through those municipalities," he said.
Source: Daily Herald-Extra on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
Believes in both budget cuts and selective revenue sources
Chenault says he's focused on trimming the budget, but doesn't have a target˙number for cuts:CHENAULT: "I don't have an exact number. But we're in a position we've never been in before where our revenue stream dropped 88 percent over a
period of a year, year and a half, and I think it's going to call for drastic measures. not only within the budget itself, but also looking at those revenue streams and deciding which may move Alaska ahead without some of the conflicts that may arise.
Source: Alaska Public Media on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Jan 19, 2016
On Immigration:
Proposes bill that could mean certain deportation by judges
Judges in Alaska may soon lose the power to help noncitizens stave off an almost-certain deportation--even if that means reducing a prison sentence by as little as 24 hours. House Speaker Mike Chenault, has proposed legislation, HB218, which prohibits
judges from factoring in the possible deportation of a person convicted when deciding the punishment. "The immigration status of a person convicted of a felony should be a neutral factor in sentencing a person," said a senior staff to Chenault.
Source: Daily Herald-Extra on 2018 Alaska Gubernatorial race
Mar 25, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018