James William Parkin IV
RepublicanQ1 America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions?
While I recognize that artificial intelligence is a growing industry nationwide, my priority is protecting Alaska’s resources and residents. Under my administration, Alaska will not host AI data centers. These facilities demand massive amounts of electricity and water—resources that we must carefully manage and prioritize for our communities and existing industries, not for the immense utility draw of data infrastructure. However, this does not mean we will ignore the technology itself. We will adopt a cautious, measured approach to using AI in state operations and services, ensuring that any implementation strictly prioritizes data security, educational integrity, and tangible benefits for Alaskans. By maintaining a firm boundary against resource-draining data centers while carefully evaluating practical AI software applications, we can protect our state’s infrastructure while remaining adaptable to technological advancements.
KEYWORDS: Resource Protection, Caution, Security
Q2 Alaska’s coastal resources are among the best-managed and most sustainable in the world, with research and monitoring having allowed ocean ecosystems to support not only commercial fisheries, but also recreational fishing, tourism, and culture throughout the state. What are your policy positions for the continued management of Alaska’s coastal resources?
The preservation of our wild fish stocks and marine biology is foundational to Alaska’s culture and economy, yet I am deeply concerned that financial interests are currently corrupting scientific research and resource management. We are witnessing critically low numbers of king salmon, while multi-billion-dollar commercial trawlers generate unacceptably high levels of bycatch. Millions of pounds of dead fish are wasted annually, but because large areas are under federal control—and because of the immense money involved—government agencies lack the political will to intervene. Furthermore, there is a troubling reluctance among scientists to report the true negative impacts of these practices. We must end this corruption. My policy is to fight aggressively for state influence over federal waters to strictly regulate bycatch and hold this industry accountable. Management must be driven by independent science, not by corporate profits.
KEYWORDS: Accountability, Bycatch, Integrity
Q3 Alaska has one of the highest energy consumptions per capita of any US state, with energy resources primarily underpinned by oil and gas, but an increasing diversification into renewables like hydropower. As electricity demand increases across the country due to manufacturing, electrification, and data infrastructure, what role, if any, do you believe alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, or geothermal, should play in Alaska’s future energy mix? What policies, if any, would you support related to alternative energy development, regulation, and/or research, and why?
Alaska has always been an energy powerhouse, but as we look to the future and our high per-capita energy consumption, we must diversify responsibly. My administration will prioritize moving Alaska toward hydrogen and hydroelectric power as our primary alternative energy sources. Hydroelectric power is a proven, reliable source of baseline energy that makes sense for our geography and water resources. Pairing it with emerging hydrogen technology provides a powerful path to clean, sustainable energy storage and deployment. These technologies offer a robust alternative to our reliance on fossil fuels without sacrificing grid stability. We will support policies, regulatory frameworks, and research initiatives that incentivize the development of hydrogen-hydroelectric infrastructure, ensuring Alaska remains an energy leader while securing long-term, affordable, and sustainable power for our communities.
KEYWORDS: Hydroelectric, Hydrogen, Diversification
Q4 Alaska faces unique obstacles in its transportation infrastructure due to its vast size, rugged landscape, and harsh weather. These challenges have led to significant advances in cold-weather design, seismic resilience, and drone inspections, but issues remain: for instance, Alaska’s ports continue to face maintenance challenges as they age, and many of the state’s interior communities remain poorly connected to rail and highway transportation networks. What are your policy positions on the management of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure in the face of these unique challenges?
Alaska’s vast, rugged terrain and harsh weather require both resilience and innovation. While we will continue to support and maintain our current transportation infrastructure like ports and highways, we must integrate helium airships into our logistics network. Modern cargo airships are environmentally friendly, carry heavy payloads, and require minimal infrastructure—needing no roads or landing fields to operate. They have multiple applications for Alaska, from delivering freight and medical supplies to interior communities to supporting remote resource development. Furthermore, I propose establishing a state airship construction company, which would bring a new high-tech manufacturing sector to Alaska and create excellent jobs. By blending the maintenance of our existing systems with the cutting-edge capability of helium airships, we can finally solve the unique access challenges facing our remote communities.
KEYWORDS: Airships, Connectivity, Innovation
Q5 What do you see as the purpose of the department of health and human services and what skill sets and values do you set as criteria when considering who to appoint to this state department?
The Department of Health and Human Services exists to protect and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of all Alaskans, ensuring our most vulnerable populations have access to the care and support they need. It is a critical agency that requires leadership grounded in both rigorous expertise and profound empathy. When considering an appointee to lead this department, my criteria are strict: the commissioner must possess an extensive background in science and medical knowledge, paired with strong, demonstrated humanitarian experience. We do not need a political operative or a pure administrator; we need a qualified health professional who understands the science behind public health policy and has a proven track record of fighting for people’s well-being. This ensures that our health policies are both medically sound and deeply compassionate.
KEYWORDS: Science, Humanitarianism, Experience