Edgar Blatchford in 2022 AK Senate race
On Budget & Economy:
Bottom line in budget cutting is fairness
The bottom line in all of the budgets I have had to cut, from city and state budgets, to private business budgets, is fairness. The simple questions are always going to be, is the budget fair to all and does it fall within the guidelines of the
mission statement of the reason why we have the Anchorage School District? I strongly suggest that an honest and fair budget can be implemented if we concentrate on the delivery of services that promote high achievement results.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
On Civil Rights:
I support expanding opportunities for people of color
Q: Achievement gaps persist in the Anchorage School District among economic, racial and ethnic groups of students. What would you do to address the gaps and what should the district do to close them?A: I see the results of a
high school education in my classroom. I think I have learned a thing or two. The first is BIPOC teachers who reflect the diversity of the greater Anchorage community.
One person who identifies with a minority group can be all the reason why a student is motivated to reach for the highest fruit on the highest tree.
The ASB of the future should not be a board where the members all look the same. I support every opportunity to expand the opportunities for people of color.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
On Education:
Greatest teacher contribution is motivating students
The greatest contribution any teacher can make in the classroom is to motivate the student to do the best. The comes from passion and dedication to the community as a whole.
There should never be a special interest in education except to do the best for student. That commitment will reflect well in how bright Anchorage's future will be in the increasingly global marketplace.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Epicenter for climate change is rural areas of Alaska
Blatchford said Congress should be working to address climate change. "The epicenter of global climate change is in the rural areas of Alaska. It's on the North Slope.
It's along the Yukon, along the Kuskokwim [river]. I, and in my lifetime, I, like anybody else who's been living in Alaska for even a short time, 10 years, can see that there are changes in climate."
Source: Indian Country Today on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
On Government Reform:
Wants to reform federal campaign finance laws
He wants to reform federal campaign finance laws, adding transparency. And he supports increasing corporate accountability, saying that Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a hero for her positions on corporations. He said it's clear why wealthy
donors outside Alaska give money to candidates in the state. "It's because they want to buy influence," he said. "People in global corporations don't give money out of the goodness of their heart. They expect something in return."
Source: KTOO-TV (channel 10 Juneau) on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 11, 2022
On Jobs:
Alaska should lead country in showing workplace diversity
Q: Why are you running?A: My second reason is to reflect the diversity of the Anchorage community. Our schools are among the most diverse in the country! Rather than hire
Outside consultants to tell us how they create a diversified workforce, we ought to lead the country in how we do it to reflect all of the traditions and cultures from all over the world in our hometown.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
On Jobs:
Union taught me a trade; helped me go to college
My Dad was a union man that goes back to the end of WWII. His sons, brothers and many of my cousins retired out of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302, Teamsters and Laborers. I went to college because IUOE Local 302 gave me the
opportunity to learn the skills of the trade. Just as I made the decision to learn the trade at 18 years old, demonstrates to me, that ASD students should have the same opportunities to learn a trade. I did because my Dad was a union man.
Source: Anchorage Daily News on 2022 Alaska Senate race
Aug 12, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023