Contributed by Huhnkie Lee
Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Huhnkie Lee. Recently, I filed a declaration of candidacy for Alaska Senate election in November 2020. My “Senate District D” includes Meadow Lakes, Point MacKenzie, Big Lakes, Knik-Fairview, Wasilla and neighboring areas. Of course, I will have to win the Primary election first within the registered Republican voters in the next summer, but I would love to introduce myself to you, my dear neighbors and voters.
I was born in Ithaca, New York, when my dad came to America with my mom to study. After he got his PhD in economics in Cornell University, we all moved back to Seoul, South Korea, where I lived until high school graduation. Then I came back to America like Alaskan salmon who remembers the scent of his native land. I majored in computer science in University of Wisconsin-Madison, then went to study for PhD in computational biology in Cornell University. I dropped out after two years in order to become an actor in Los Angeles, California.
I worked full-time as a computer programmer in LA for three years and made a movie all by myself, including acting/directing/writing/filming/editing/music. It is called “A Therapy for Metrophobia” and five film festivals accepted my movie for public view. Then I joined the U.S. Army as a junior-enlisted soldier, working for four years as a helicopter electrician, and I was deployed in Afghanistan for a year.
After I was honorably discharged, I went to University of Michigan Law School with GI-Bill and graduated in two years. Then I came to Alaska. I worked as a computer programmer for three years for the State of Alaska. Then last year, 2018, I passed Alaska Bar Exam and got a lawyer job here in Wasilla. So, that’s my story.
I came to Alaska because I was fascinated by its unique adventure and nature that I saw on TV, like “Alaska the Last Frontier”, “Yukon Men”, or documentary on Mr. Heimo Korth. I wanted to be part of that wonderful American state, and I’ve been loving this state ever since. I first lived in Anchorage from 2015-2016. Then, I moved to Wasilla when I bought a house for the first time, as I wanted space and quietness and quasi-rural environment.
Now, let’s talk politics and religion, shall we? I am a registered Republican and a Christian conservative. So, that sums up pretty much all I have to say about all the issues. There is one part, however, that I do not 100% agree with in the Republican Party’s list of doctrines. It’s about abortion. Please, allow me to explain.
I understand both sides of the issue. I understand that Christians feel strong about the dignity of human being, as they believe that humans are made after God’s image, even the fetuses. I 100% understand their viewpoint and I do respect their religious conviction.
But, let us calm ourselves and think of a scenario. Say, there once was a young girl who met a boy. They fell in love, she got pregnant, and he left the state. Now she is left with a baby that she does not want, that she cannot afford raising. Now, if there is a law that forces her to undergo 9 months of pregnancy and a huge pain of birth labor, also to raise the unwanted baby, what becomes of her education, her career, her life? I think it is unfair for young women to take all the burden from other people’s religious beliefs against abortion, and other men’s irresponsible mistakes to impregnate them.
I understand that this fairly “liberal”’ view of mine on abortion issue probably abort my chance to win the next or any Republican primary elections to come. Then why am I expressing this highly unpopular view in public like this? It is because it is a great pleasure to me to be controversial.
Next, I want to tell you why I am running for Alaska Senate. It is a great hobby. In all honesty, I think Senator David Wilson is doing a fantastic job for my District D, representing our interest in Juneau very well. I have absolutely nothing to criticize about him at all, both in political or personal level. I am running for the seat for pleasure and for my education as well.
I hope that people, organizations, radio or TV shows would invite me for a forum, speech, Q&A session, even debates. It would be a great honor to interact with people to teach and learn. That is why I am running.
I also run on the streets too. If you live in Greater Wasilla, you probably have seen me running during lunch time or in the evening. I believe that diet and exercise is the key to all the health-related issues in America, including Medicare, Medicaid, rising health insurance premiums, opioid addiction, etc.
Oh, I forgot to tell you one thing. Or two things. I smoke cigarettes and drink vodka. I don’t drink and drive, but I do drink vodka every night at home.
Thank you very much, Alaskans //:-)
