Rep. Ramras running for Alaska lieutenant governor
Originally published Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 8:33 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 11:51 p.m.
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE — State Rep. Jay Ramras announced Tuesday he’s running for the job of lieutenant governor.
The three-term Republican from Fairbanks says Alaska must reshape policies for sound growth using the resource based economy.
Ramras, who has focused much of his work as a lawmaker on promoting natural resource development, said the 2010 race presents a bully pulpit with which to expand discussion of the need for an in-state natural gas pipeline. He said such a line would jointly benefit both Southcentral and Interior Alaska.
Ramras, who announced his intention early Tuesday in Anchorage, said upon his afternoon return to Fairbanks that Alaska needs to initiate change in development policies to ensure the state competes in the global marketplace.
He said he’s working on a slate of legislation aimed at extending oil production and spurring private-sector development of natural gas resources.
“We cannot approach Fairbanks’ interest, or the state’s interests, as if the state is having a going out of business sale,” he said.
Ramras’ announcement follows, by one week, incumbent Lt. Gov Craig Campbell’s announcement he’d also seek the post.
Ramras owns Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, Pike’s Landing and the Food Factory restaurant in Fairbanks. He currently serves as the chairman of the House Judiciary committee and the House special committee on Economic Development, Trade and Tourism.
Community Discussion
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jaybird feels he can better serve his big oil masters at a higher
level. Did you ever wonder where all the money was coming from to
keep his mug plastered all over the tv adds for month on month??
I don't understand why everyone is bashing Jay. As far as I'm concerned he is good for the community (Food Bank), and has always been nice and cordial to people. You guys need something to do.
Now we'll see how far he can fly with those wings of his.
Jaybird--
If you manage to finagle your way into that office, you better put some points on the board instead of sitting in the penalty box and watching. That seems to be the way of the walk so far for you. Impress me.
Congratulations on Rep. Ramras's candidacy. He is able to get things to happen and gets the attention issues need for public discussion. Rep. Ramras has reached out to Rural and Remote Alaska and that is more than most candidates do when they seek higher office. Many concentrate on their home turf and the Railbelt. We know that is where the votes are but many of the non-renewable resources that the state gets its revenue from are for the most part in Rural and Remote Alaska. So I wish him well.
Meh, while I may agree with him on some political issues, certainly don't like his sexist views of women and I wouldn't vote for him.
After all his Sarah bashing, he doesn't get my vote either.
I wasn't referring to Palin although in retrospect he stooped a little low there a few times. Come on now, really - Palin deserved a lot of criticism but enough of her already.
What a putz, what has the man done for Fairbanks? name something that has been good for the local area that he didnt directly benefit from.
His slogan should be, "A chicken wing in every pot."
I called this months ago. I knew it in July when I kept seeing him pal around with gov candidate Rep. Harris. Guarantee you that's the idea.
...that and his commercials were a HUGE hint. Not condoning or condemning him, but I think he made this run pretty obvious.
oh boy
Funny how this has happened after all those commercials that people said looked like he was campaigning for the govs office. And of course it was denied till it was admitted. Folks can always justify lying about their status until they finally come out, then everyone forgets they were lied to for months. When will these professional politicians just fess up to what they are. Jay wants to be in charge of all of you for the rest of your lives. Most of you are blind, or naive'. Those that are not are vastly outnumbered by those that are anymore. Just look at the last election. Pathetic turnout, same people complaining afterword that didnt vote. Bah.....
Great. Just great.
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Can I get fries with that??..
He lost my vote when he bashed Palin but failed to stand up when it counted. None of the incumbants get my vote this time.
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I went to Lathrop with Jay. No way he was a dealer or anything else. He was an honor student, student leader and a wrestler. There are plenty of legitimate criticisms of Jay, womanizing, penchant for very young women, the way he constantly looks at his blackberry or over your shoulder when he "talks" with you, etc but his money is his and was earned as legitimately as anyone else in the bar and resturant business earned theirs.
Wow! You hacks with your sleazy "I heard"'s...! Like Alaskaman said, there's plenty of legitimate reasons to like/dislike a candidate without you people mudslinging conjecture.
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Some people are just mad cause there not in the loop.
I hear he curses in front of children and used to drink coke. I also hear that he treats his employees badly and is an anti-gay employer.
Then again, I never give credence to rumors --_^
I do know his pro-oil actions speak louder to me than rumors. I do know that his food-factory ran a LGBT speed dating event, and I do know that he has donated time and support to local charities. I also know that I have seen him hard at work sitting in his own restaurant. If his politics were a little more reasonable and a little less populist/industrial I would probably support him. Might even go work for him.
I will hold my vote until I see the rest of the candidates. Jay is qualified and for those that have a particular distaste for Jay or any other Alaskan running for this office I suggest you sign up to run for the job.
I don't like some of the things Jay did down in Juneau but he does represent his Fairbanks folks. Time for a Fairbanks Lt. Gov. in Juneau and I hope a few more Fairbanksans sign up so we can pick the best.
Jay is a successful business person. He didn't get where he is at being stupid. He is well informed and always two steps ahead of you. I found that he is a true politician.....take away two steps for that.....but at least you know that up front and you can adjust your objectives accordingly.
I don't question his value to this community. He gives from his heart. But Jay wants to go back to Juneau and like everybody else I will decide in the ballot box.
I hope he does a campain ad in his chicken suit.
I would vote for him before I vote Campbell.
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While we're spewing rumors--I heard he "owns" several "businesses" in "town" and that he is "running" for "Lt. Governor".
Why do the quotations make it look like I'm saying something else?
Go Jay!
You are a good man with your head and heart in the right place.
I'm not a Repub, but I totally support you.
Hmmmm Alaskaman. You may have gone to High School with him, but I spent a lot of time in the old Cheap Charlie's in the early 90's and watched what he was doing there. I can't vote for the hypocritical even tho they may have cleaned up their act. Therefore it is a wonder that I can vote at all. I do tho, and I will not be voting for Jaybird anymore than I would be voting for Stepovich if he were to run again in a few years thinking that all had been forgotten.
Wow two decades, you must have had a real dillema on your hands when Jay and Stepo ran against eachother. Cheap Charlies...haven't heard that name in a long time. No good memories of that place.
When I Jay getting married? We need his wife to hit him with da ol rolling pin.
"is" not I duh!!!
I'm shocked ,shocked I say.I expected him to run for Governor.
To the DNM: Opps! Sorry about that, no harm was intended. It will not happen again.
Is it true that it is imminent that the Flynt Hills Refinery is going to be closing around the 1st of the year Jay? If not what is going on?
He'll be lucky to get pass the primaries. If you have listened to the Anchorage commentaries in their news, he is nothing more than a laughable put my name in the news by banning cold medicine politician. Anyone in this state needs Anchorage and MatSu to get elected. Fairbanks vote is irrelevant any more in a state wide election. How many more will place their names into the primary before all is said and done. How much good did his massive report on gas prices change the price of gas? He is a joke where the votes make a difference.
How have there been no ethics complaints against him - most of his commercials seem to intermingal his business with his official duties. I have trouble figuring out if they are an ad for Pikes or a political ad.
We should have known he was running for something state wide when he was gathering donations for the bush.
Jay started Wing World and Pikes Lodge but his other 2 business FF and Pikes Lounge he bought from someone else. Big Bob started the Food Factories Jay bought them and took them from 3 stores to 1. And many would argue that Pikes is nowhere near the place is was before he got his hands on it. He may be a hand maiden to big oil but he also carries the water for the tourism industry. Never misses a chance to denounce the Cruise Ship head tax.
I am surprised he is not just running for the top spot, Governor. Why not? I think he would have as good a chance as any. He certainly seems to work hard an be involved at the capital, which is more than I can say for a number of politicians.
Talk to former employees from years ago and others who were in the business. You will find out the truth about what he was like and did. A man's past is his character. Jay, you will NOT get my vote due to you conduct in the past.
Where does Jay Ramras stand in the mayoral runoff election? Will he support Tammie Wilson?
also rember that jay also said it was all right for flint hills to stick it to the alaskans because the railroad needed the buisness of moving fuel to anchorage to sell to the airlines. so jay why don't you go get the votes from the railroad because you have proved you do not care about alaskan voters you are owned by big oil and the tourist industries. i have started not doing buisness with pikes or food factory and maybe if enough people do that jay will go back to running his two mediocre resturants
The curent Governor and Lt. Governor are doing fine jobs.
Do we want another circus? NO!
ram-ss can't even run a bar...i went by pikes sat night at 10:30 and there were two cars in the parking lot......also he could not keep his foodfactory open in north pole and blamed it on everything but his lousy food and crappy service....now benny has turned the same building into a successful restaurant with good food and great service.....anybody who gets on goodmorning america looking for a date is some body who has ties to the east coast money managers who want to maintain control on alaskas permanent fund management fees....hundreds of millions in management fee's. this guy is bought and paid for...if you don't think so follow the money....he ain't making it.
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Wow, am I in shock! Certainly all of his grandstanding that includes Sarah bashing wasn’t positioning for a higher elected seat. NO! aaah!
For anyone who has nuggets of scandal on Jay. Pray he gets the VP nomination, then and only then will it ever be uncovered. If this happens one word, EBAY!
Palin Ramras 2012
Give Sarah the bird
Jaybird is a minor league player filing for a minor league job. I shan't vote for him. If the man had any guts whatsoever (he has the money, just not the guts), he'd run against Miss Bailout herself, Lisa Murkowski.
C'mon, you all elected Sarah Palin. This can't be much worse.
Just worry about cooking us good cheese steaks Jay. They gotten smaller since you been peddling in politics.
Jay has done more to promote Fairbanks than the whole group of you union hacks who are spreading lies about him. He is respected in his industry. He is respected by his legislative colleagues. Isn't it easy to sit here anonymously and criticize. I, for one, will be voting for the candidates from Fairbanks.
I am glad Jay is running. He is a thinker and innovator. Whether he wins or loses, he will bring facts about the issues to the forefront. Fairbanksans should be glad that one of our local representatives has chosen to enter the race. I hope the voters take the time to hear what he has to say. He has a vision for the future and deserves a chance to tell the people of Alaska about it, in his own words, not what the bloggers want the public to believe.
Here's to cleaning up the blogs. I hope some of you will have the courage to start using your real names. Blogging does not have to always be so negative, it just takes enough people who want to turn it into a productive forum to start using their real names and start acting like civil human beings to each other; ignoring the back and forth of the people who are too cowardly to insult people using their real names.
All issues can be debated - the pros and cons, and it can be done without animosity toward someone else. These same people question my motive for blogging concerning the Mayoral race, maybe because they cannot fathom that someone actually wants to hear the truth about the candidates, not the make believe that the bloggers perpetuate. I have respect for both of the Mayoral candidates and respect that they think differently on the issues. There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification on issues - the wrongdoing is in perpetuating and insinuating lies and then knowingly spreading it around as if it is truth. Give Jay a chance to say what he thinks and please think twice before you smear and attack him.
Thank you Jay for stepping forward.
Diane
I am confident that Jay will work hard to move the state forward in a positive direction. He will add intelligent debate to the race for Lt Gov and, who knows, he just might win. I know that if people listen to him talk about the issues, they will be impressed with his knowledge and commitment to public service.
Never liked him. Have yet to meet a living human being that does like him. I am sure they must be out there, how else could he still be in office. I know he has a bad rep in the food industry and some of the stupid laws he wanted to push through did nothing but benefit his businesses and screw waitstaff. Oh and of course there was that little statement that pretty much summed it up that Alaskan woman are not good enough for him. He is just an overachiever of the worst kind willing to sell his mother for a little power and prestige. He is not getting my vote even if he is the only one to vote for!
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i have to admit, those TV ads go all the way, as much as possible in making ramras look lovable, affable, relatively harmless. his ad people are geniuses, no doubt. [though, not smart enought to make me actually vote for a republican.]
reminds me of how anchorage mayor tom fink was dressed up by advertising in the 1980s. i didn't think it could be done, making a ruthless, cheapskate flim-flam, crusty old union buster look like a sympathetic character.
If anyone wants to see those Pike's TV ads you can find them on my YouTube channel. Just use the search field to the right of the featured video.
http://www.youtube.com/finaldesignstudio...
Sorry Jay,...i remember when you threw Sarah under the bus.
Reaganesk, you are not, you are just a modern day republican.
Kathleen, sorry but one point... This is not a blog in any way, this is a comment section. A blog is entirely different.
Apologies, my comment is directed to Mrs. Hutchison.
Hey, there's an even higher post that Jay should strive for:
Lord of the Wings!
I would only vote for the "Lord of the wings" tittle, if he used them to fly off :)
LOL@TAC nice :)
Do any of you "tough guys" posting on your anonymous names even know Jay? He was born and raised here in Fairbanks and if i'm not mistaken so was his mother. He is a strong supporter of the Food Bank and other local charities, He was one of the first to seek and get help for rural alaska communities when they needed it most. He is a local businessman who started with one tiny store accross the street from the old Burger King (Jaybirds Wingworld) and bought the Food Factory's, Pikes Landing, and opened a hotel.
Jay is obviously a smart businessman but hasn't forgotten his roots. He helps and supports the community. I can only think that all this negativity stems from the DNM letting people post anonymously. I doubt any of you would psot here using your real names. Hopefully someday the DNM will become a newspaper again and not a tabloid and stop allowing anonymous posting
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