James Canitz Sr.

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

James Canitz Sr.

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Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

U.S. Air Force Academy, 1974

Other

University of Alaska, Anchorage, 2009

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1974 - 1987

Personal

Birthplace

Milwaukee, Wis.

Profession

Airline Pilot

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

James Canitz Sr. (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Alaska House of Representatives to represent District 13. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

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

Biography

James Canitz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1974 to 1987. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974. Canitz also attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage Aviation Tech Center and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His career experience includes working as a commercial airline pilot.

Elections

2020

See also: Alaska House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

Ken McCarty defeated James Canitz Sr. in the general election for Alaska House of Representatives District 13 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ken McCarty (R)	67.6	4,730
	Submit photo	James Canitz Sr. (D)	32.1	2,250
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	20

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,000
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

Ken McCarty defeated incumbent Sharon Jackson in the Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13 on August 18, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ken McCarty	55.8	722
		Sharon Jackson	44.2	573

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,295
= 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.
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Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary election

Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

James Canitz Sr. advanced from the Alaska Democratic and Independence parties primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13 on August 18, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	James Canitz Sr.	100.0	655

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 655
= 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

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in the Midwest, I spent thirteen years as an Air Force pilot with assignments in Germany, and many states across the US. I deployed to Grenada, during Operation Urgent Fury. After the Air Force, I spent 17 years as a commercial airline pilot. During my two years at Elmendorf AFB, I discovered that Alaska was my true home. I've been here in Eagle River now for 23 years.

I married my wonderful wife, Brenda, 29 years ago, helped raise a family, and now spoil the grandchildren. We enjoy flights in our plane and fishing from our boat surrounded by the beauty of Alaska.

I believe in:  -Fair and equal treatment for everyone.  -A strong public education system.  -The Permanent Fund should be preserved and protected.  -Fiscal conservatism. Balance the accounts!  -Improved infrastructure.

 -I am a gun owner and support responsible gun ownership.

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?

• The key to the word representative is "represent". I am not here to lead you, I am here to be your advocate, and to facilitate your wishes, aims, goals and needs at the State level.
• There are two truths about politics and representation that I have learned. 1) You don't want to elect someone that wants the job so badly they will do anything to get it. 2) The best representation is self- representation: but second best is someone you can trust to represent your interests fairly and honestly. Eagle River deserves that choice, and I promise I will do that for you.
• Alaska must find a way to solve the hard problems: formulating a responsible fiscal plan, managing a safe and effective way to teach our kids in light of COVID-19, supporting our economy and businesses during these difficult times, and balancing health and safety with as much freedom of action as possible.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

 -A strong public education system.

 -The Permanent Fund should be preserved and protected.
 -Fiscal conservatism. Balance the accounts!

 -Improved infrastructure.

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

As a pilot myself with some pioneering adventure in me, I have always admired the dedication and skills that allowed Charles Lindbergh to succeed where others before him had failed. His focus and resolve, overcame technical obstacles, physical limitations, and sheer adversity. He was a pioneer that set world records in long distance aviation for years afterwards. I learned later, when I became a pilot for Pan American World Airways, that Charles Lindbergh flew proving flights for many of their Pacific Routes, and developed special engine management techniques that allowed the Pan Am pilots to successfully fly long distances.
While I don't espouse or agree with his reported beliefs and political views, in almost every other respect, Charles Lindbergh was a man to be admired for his accomplishments and leading the way to conquer the world of travel in the airplane.

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

Codes of Behavior

• The Golden Rule.
  
• The Honor Code (that I learned while attending the US Air Force Academy)
  
• The Oath of Office
  
  

Philosophy

• The Bill of Rights
  
  

Legal Concepts

• The Constitution of the United States of America
  
  

Inspirational Address

General Douglas MacArthur, Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance Address
as delivered to the Corps of Cadets, US Military Academy, May 12, 1962.

"Duty, Honor, Country"

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

Honor

Integrity
Dedication

Same as any public servant, government official, military member, or elected official.

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

What would define a successful officeholder?

The ability to represent his fellow man honestly, with dedication of purpose and integrity. To subjugate personal goals and ambitions in the interest of furthering the goals of his constituency without compromising his honor.

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

Honor the Oath of Office and keep it sacred.

To well and truly represent the interests and needs of his constituency.

To have the moral fortitude and principles to speak truth to power. To know the difference between compromise and capitulation, and to never capitulate. Choose to be a statesman rather than a politician.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was a good man. Loving to his family. A trusted friend. That I lived up to my Codes of Behavior. That I served my Country honorably.

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

When I was ten years old, I remember being in class at Root River Elementary School in West Allis, Wisconsin. We were just starting our afternoon classes when there was a commotion of teachers gathering out in the hallway. Half whispered conversations and emotional crying was coming from them. A short while later, we heard the news. President John F. Kennedy had been shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Another man had been shot also but I didn't know who he was. We were told that school was cancelled for the rest of the day and to go home.

I recall being very confused and disquieted by the dramatic event. Where was Dallas, Texas? I knew my uncle Ralph, my dad's younger brother and his family lived somewhere in Texas at an Army Base. Was that near Dallas? I wondered who would do such as thing and why? We all thought that President Kennedy, was handsome and had a pretty wife and two cute young children, a boy and a girl, who weren't that much younger than I was.
Now their daddy was dead and I remember my eyes welling up as I thought about my daddy and how I would feel if he had been shot and killed. It was all very strange. When we got home, mom was all red-eyed from crying and told us to go downstairs and play. I don't know why but we just didn't feel very much like having fun that afternoon. So we mostly sat quietly and looked through some books or colored.

I remember being sat down later that evening and my dad trying to help us understand what had happened and what it meant. All I know was that everyone was very sad for what seemed like a long time. It still makes me sad to this day when I remember and think about that horrible day.

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

Hooked on a Feeling. BJ Thomas, 1968, Charted at #5. Blue Swede, 1974, Charted at #1.

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

Patience. Gained with experience as I grow older. Never enough of it.

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

I believe that there should ideally be a mix, of experienced legislators and and new people inexperienced in the machinations of politics. The purpose of the experience is to help keep things going and provide continuity. The purpose of the new freshmen legislators, would be to keep things fresh, perhaps bring new ideas and infuse energy into the process. I don't believe that we should not allow career politicians and I favor strict term limits.
The down side of course, is to the party seniority system that is used to choose favorite committee chairmanships and leadership positions. But there may be an argument to encourage a multi-party system that requires more cooperation and compromise to achieve effective government rather than the gridlock, that can occur with a two party system.

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

Quite frankly, the same challenge that is facing almost every state in the union today. How to pay for government services and operations. Alaska is somewhat different in that we have unique challenges and limitations.

We are the largest state in landmass area, and have a small resident population.
We have extreme climate conditions. Most activities are limited by seasonal condition.
We have limited infrastructure. Access issues are huge.
We have the most diverse population of any state in the union.
We have a three legged economy; taking of natural resources (oil, mining, forestry and fisheries), tourism and government (federal. state and local).
To do almost anything in Alaska, just costs more.
We have limited and shrinking revenue sources to fund government.

Situation, as everywhere, is crisis. Tough decisions will need to be made and not everyone (or probably anyone) will be happy.

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

Standing Committees

Education
Health and Social Services
Labor and Commerce
Transportation

Special Committees

Military and Veterans Affairs
Energy

Joint Committees

Joint Armed Services
Legislative Budget and Audit
Worker's Compensation Working Group

Finance Sub-Committees

Military and Veterans Affairs
Fish and Game

University of Alaska

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

No.

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

2020 Elections

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Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

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External links

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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)