Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog
Senate Majority Press Secretary
Phone: 907/465-4582
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: January 10, 1997
Contact: Senator Dave Donley (907) 465-3892

Senator Dave Donley Joins The GOP

Believes Republican Party Agenda Best for Alaska

Juneau — Signing on the dotted line Friday, Senator Dave Donley of midtown Anchorage switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, announcing that the Republican Majority more accurately reflects his opinion about the direction Alaska needs to head.

"I have always been a fiscal conservative," said Senator Donley. "The Republican Majority’s ongoing commitment to reduce government spending and protect the Permanent Fund have always been my top priorities as well," said Senator Donley. "When you consider that, by law, passing a budget is the only responsibility the Legislature must accomplish each year, me becoming a Republican makes inherent sense."

Donley noted his conservative voting record saying "In order to protect the Permanent Fund, I broke with the Democrat caucus last session. I opposed the Democrat’s plan to change the Permanent Fund and voted for the deposit of $1.2 billion to the Fund."

Donley also stressed that a big factor in his decision to change parties was the recent adoption by the National Democratic Party of a platform opposing opening ANWR to oil exploration.

"As a life long Alaskan, I know how important ANWR is to Alaska’s future," said Donley. "And I can no longer support a party whose national platform is patently anti-Alaskan and anti-job. Alaska’s future, and the future of our children depends on responsible development of our vast natural resources. The National Democratic Party platform is bad for Alaska and an agenda I cannot support. Alaska needs ANWR and the jobs it will provide well into the next century."

Senate President Elect Mike Miller said the Republican Party is pleased to have Senator Dave Donley as a new member.

"Senator Donley is a very good legislator who has often voted with Republicans anyway," said Miller. "By becoming a Republican, I think he is following his conscience as a fiscal conservative and will be in a better position to serve his constituents."

"It’s been a challenge to fulfill my campaign commitments as a Democrat because I have always run on a fiscally conservative platform," Donley said. "Becoming a member of the Republican Majority is the best way for me to be true to the campaign promises I made to the people of midtown Anchorage."

Senate President Drue Pearce and Co-Chair Elect of the Senate Finance Committee noted that Senator Donley made his decision with much thought and the support from his own constituancy.

"We welcome the transition and look forward to his capable membership on our team," said Senator Pearce.

Donley emphasized that his top priorities will remain the same: cutting state spending, protecting the Permanent Fund, and working to open ANWR to create more Alaskan jobs.

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