Edward King (Alaska)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Edward King

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of Washington, 2010

Graduate

University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2012

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1998 - 2008

Personal

Birthplace

Bremerton, Wash.

Religion

Christian

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Edward King ran for election to the Alaska House of Representatives to represent District 34. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

King completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Edward King was born in Bremerton, Washington. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 2010 and a master's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2012. His professional experience includes working as the chief economist for the State of Alaska, as an infantry team leader, as a restaurant general manager, and as a small business owner. He served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2008.

Elections

2020

See also: Alaska House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Alaska House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Andi Story defeated Edward King in the general election for Alaska House of Representatives District 34 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andi Story (D)	62.0	6,284
		Edward King (Nonpartisan)	37.5	3,806
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	48

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,138
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary election

Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 34

Incumbent Andi Story advanced from the Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 34 on August 18, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andi Story	100.0	2,526

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,526
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Edward King completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by King's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My wife, Sarah, and I are proud to call Juneau home. It's a wonderful place to raise our family and enjoy our lives. I run a small business out in the valley, and she works for the school district downtown. Our days are typically filled by watching our children participate in orchestra, choir, and gymnastics. Yet, we still find time for a weekly date night.

Life wasn't easy growing up. My abusive father became an absent one when I was six. While his time in prison freed us from his destruction, it also turned my mom into a single parent of four. It was anything but easy growing up without knowing where we would sleep or what we would eat. But we got by. The Army was my escape from that poverty trap. It got me away from the temptation to just give up on life. Later, I used the GI Bill to become the first person in my family to go to college. Then, I used that degree to make a life for myself here in Alaska.

For the last seven years, I've been analyzing our state's spending and revenue streams as a professional economist. That includes time in the Department of Revenue, Department of Natural Resources, Office of Management and Budget, and the Governor's office. I spent four of those years working in the Capitol building, establishing relationships, and learning how things get done. Now I'm more than ready to represent Juneau as we get Alaska back on track.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Our state's finances have been mismanaged for too long. it's time to fix it.
• Our people are suffering as the economy grinds to a halt. We need to get it going agian.
• Juneau is losing in the budget talks. We need a stronger voice at the negotiation table.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My top priority is getting people back to work and putting Alaska on a long-term sustainable path. We've avoided the difficult conversations for too long. Now we're out of money and out of time. I want to cut through the party politics and get things done for a change.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Although it sounds cliche, I have to say Abraham Lincoln. I yearn for a future in which politicians can be honest, thoughtful, and filled with integrity. I aspire to be someone that rises to the occasion, puts politics aside, and does what's right - no matter the cost.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

It would have to be "Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith. Although the text is dated now, it exposes a root understanding of society, morals, and economics.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, personal courage, and selflessness.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, integrity, open-mindedness, selflessness, and compassion.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

An elected official has a duty to listen to their constituents, then carry those voices into the capitol. Being elected to represent the people is a great honor. One should never forget that an election is to decide whom will serve as the people's advocate, not as their prom king/queen.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to ensure Alaska is a place my grandchildren will want to live and people to remember me as someone that worked tirelessly for Alaska's success.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The space shuttle Challenger comes to mind. I remember watching the launch in school. Then I think we all went home early trying to deal with the trauma and grief involved. That was a sad day.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first "real" job was sweeping the floors at a repair shop. It was a summer gig when I was about 14. Before that, I would shovel drive ways and mow lawns around the neighborhood.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Stumbling on Happiness" is probably on the top of my list right now. It is a wonderful exploration and explanation of how we set ourselves up to be unhappy. I loved the way Dr. Gilbert exposes some of our misconceptions and illusions, which create false impressions about what it means to be happy.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I suppose I would say Superman. I like how he can step in and protect the innocent victims of crime and evil in this world, but then blend in to the rest of society.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Remember me" from the Coco soundtrack.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My childhood was a struggle. I grew up in poverty and never thought I would amount to anything. Going to college was outside the furthest I could dream growing up. But, I worked hard and refused to quit. That led me to become the first person in my family to graduate from high school. After serving in the Army, the GI Bill made college an option and opened previously unfathomable doors.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

Our two-chamber system provides for more thorough consideration of bills and dual representation for every voter. But, both bodies are citizen legislative chambers. So, I don't see much difference between the Senate and the House, other than Senators having a more powerful voice in the process.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

To an extent, yes. But I also support term limits. Experience helps a legislator navigate the political process. But, too long in politics detaches a representative from the people.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Alaska is an oil state in a world that is moving away from oil. Our revenues have already suffered and will not keep pace with the growing demands for government services. Finding ways to raise revenues without hindering economic growth is going to be a significant challenge.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The legislative and executive branches need to remain separate, but must work together toward a common goal. I view the ideal relationship to be similar to that between a CEO and a board of directors.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Nothing happens in the legislature without a majority of members voting in the same direction. Without relationships, there is no effective communication. And, without communication, there is no consensus building. Legislators must work together, respect each other, and be open to the views coming from other districts.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Redistricting should not be a political process. And being in power during redistricting should not provide an advantage for the next decade. I would like to see the process depoliticized.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As a professional economist that has spent years studying the state's finances, I would absolutely want to be a member of the Finance committee. My experience and education in resource management would also fit well in the Resources committee.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Not specifically. I just want to do what's best for Alaska.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Right now, the only thing I care about is getting Alaska on a long-term, sustainable, stable path forward. That's the only thinking about the future I'm doing.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Alaska House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Bryce Edgmon

Majority Leader:Dan Saddler

Minority Leader:Calvin Schrage

Representatives

District 1

Jeremy Bynum (R)

District 2

Rebecca Himschoot (N)

District 3

Andi Story (D)

District 4

Sara Hannan (D)

District 5

Louise Stutes (R)

District 6

Sarah Vance (R)

District 7

Justin Ruffridge (R)

District 8

Bill Elam (R)

District 9

Ky Holland (N)

District 10

Charles Kopp (R)

District 11

Julie Coulombe (R)

District 12

Calvin Schrage (N)

District 13

Andrew Josephson (D)

District 14

Alyse Galvin (N)

District 15

Mia Costello (R)

District 16

Carolyn Hall (D)

District 17

Zack Fields (D)

District 18

David Nelson (R)

District 19

Genevieve Mina (D)

District 20

Andrew Gray (D)

District 21

Donna Mears (D)

District 22

Ted Eischeid (D)

District 23

Jamie Allard (R)

District 24

Dan Saddler (R)

District 25

DeLena Johnson (R)

District 26

Cathy Tilton (R)

District 27

Jubilee Underwood (R)

District 28

Elexie Moore (R)

District 29

George Rauscher (R)

District 30

Kevin McCabe (R)

District 31

Maxine Dibert (D)

District 32

Will Stapp (R)

District 33

Glenn Prax (R)

District 34

Frank Tomaszewski (R)

District 35

Ashley Carrick (D)

District 36

Becky Schwanke (R)

District 37

Bryce Edgmon (U)

District 38

Nellie Jimmie (D)

District 39

Neal Foster (D)

District 40

Robyn Burke (D)

Republican Party (21)

Democratic Party (14)

Nonpartisan (4)

Undeclared (1)