Vaska files for House District 38 seat

ALASKA NEWSPAPERS STAFF
editor@alaskanewspapers.com

June 02, 2008 at 3:36PM AKST

Prompted by the call of tribal leaders in the region, Bethel’s Tony Vaska confirmed Monday he’s vying for the House District 38 seat in the state Legislature.

Vaska, 50, will square off against fellow Democrats Eric Middlebrook and Bob Herron in the August 26 primary election.

“A lot of tribal leaders asked me to give it some serious thought,” Vaska said. “They feel like they’re not being represented by the two people (already in the race). I’ve been working with the tribes in the past and do now, so that’s why they asked me.”

Vaska, Middlebrook and Herron are gunning for the House seat that belonged for 10 years to Rep. Mary Nelson, D-Bethel, who has announced her retirement. As of 3 p.m. Monday, two hours before the filing deadline, no Republican candidates had filed for the seat.

Vaska is currently working as a Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. professional trainer.

Vaska said he’ll make energy costs and education two of his primary campaign focuses.“I work in the field and I see how few students are prepared for higher education and skilled training,” he said.

Vaska also stressed he liked to push the Y-K Delta into stronger forms of local government.“The direction we go in the region has to be done by the people out here,” Vaska said. “We have a great opportunity to control our lives.”