FROM THE EDITOR.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha

Alaska Business doesn't cover politics, nor do we accept political advertisements. This policy was launched with the magazine in the '80s and has been reinforced time and time again in the nearly four decades we've been reporting.

With that clearly established, I'd like to write a few words about Don Young. Like many of the policy decisions he was involved in, Young was a foundational fixture in the Alaska landscape, and he was instrumental in building the Alaska that we know today. Whether or not one agreed with his decisions, his longevity in the US House of Representatives and the influence he was able to build over nearly five decades of holding office were assets to Alaska that cannot be easily replaced.

Regardless of the challenge, Alaskans need to select someone to act on our behalf in the US House of Representatives. There are forty-eight candidates on the ballot for the primary election, taking place this month on June 11 (the general election will be August 16). That's a lot of options for us to consider, especially in this pivotal moment. Those who liked Young's policies will want to ensure their continuation, while those who disliked them will see this as an opportunity to adjust course.

The candidates themselves, and their supporters, are of course eager to provide the public with guidance on how to vote. In their eagerness, they reach out to media platforms, including Alaska Business, throughout the campaign process.

Campaign season is when it's personally the most difficult for me to adhere to our no-politics policy. It's not that I necessarily want to advocate...