Anchorage Assembly candidate Q&A: Keith McCormick

Yahoo

17-03-2025

Mar. 17—The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage Assembly to answer a series of issue questions. Read all of them here.
Name: Keith McCormick — District: 6 — Age: 33 — Occupation: Physician Assistant — Website: keithforassembly.com
Candidate background:
Anchorage has been home to my family for three generations. I grew up in Oceanview, spending my time outside fishing and exploring the outdoors. After graduating from South High, I enlisted in the Marine Corps Infantry, serving over five years with multiple deployments overseas. When my service ended, my wife and I returned to South Anchorage with our eldest son, ready to build a future in the community that shaped us. I worked as an EMT in Whittier before deploying again as a private military contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan. I later founded a successful software company, earning recognition as Alaska's Entrepreneur of the Year. After years of service in high-pressure environments, I pursued a Doctorate in Medical Science, and now work as a Physician Assistant in pediatric psychiatry.
Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly, and what makes you qualified for the job?
I'm running because Anchorage is my home, and I want to ensure it remains a place where families can thrive. As a Marine Corps veteran and medical professional, I've dedicated my life to serving my community. Now I want to bring that same commitment to local government. We need common-sense solutions that prioritize fiscal responsibility, public safety and a strong local economy. I've spent my career in high-pressure environments, making tough decisions and leading teams through complex problems. I believe that my experience, combined with my deep roots in this community, will help me serve South Anchorage effectively. I'm not a politician — I'm a problem solver, and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for our city.
What is the most important problem facing Anchorage? How would you address it?
Anchorage's most pressing issue is the worsening homelessness crisis — one that continues to drain taxpayer dollars without delivering meaningful results. Despite millions spent, encampments are expanding, crime and drug use are rising, and public spaces like trails, parks and neighborhoods are becoming unsafe for families. This isn't just a funding problem — it's a failure of strategy. We need a results-driven approach that prioritizes both accountability and compassion. That means expanding access to mental health treatment, substance abuse recovery and job training for those willing to work toward stability. At the same time, we must enforce trespassing laws and crack down on illegal activity to protect public safety. Simply increasing spending without measuring outcomes isn't a solution. Anchorage deserves policies that actually reduce homelessness, restore public spaces and make our city safer for everyone.
Please give a letter grade, A-F, for Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's performance as mayor. Explain.
Assign a letter grade assumes leadership can be boiled down to a simple scale, but governance is about whether policies are working. Mayor LaFrance has kept city operations running and has engaged with residents, which is important. However, her leadership has mostly followed the Assembly majority, reinforcing existing priorities instead of pushing for new solutions. Transparency and accountability have been ongoing concerns, particularly regarding homelessness services, where increased funding has yet to show real results. Public safety remains a major issue — crime persists, pedestrian fatalities have risen. All while property taxes keep going up, yet residents aren't seeing meaningful improvements. Leadership isn't just about maintaining stability; it's about ensuring government delivers tangible benefits to the people who pay for it. The city needs leadership that values accountability, welcomes diverse viewpoints, and measures policies by their results, not just their intentions.
Please give a letter grade, A-F, for the performance of the current Assembly. Explain.
The real question is whether the Assembly's actions are making Anchorage safer, more stable and more prosperous. So far, the results don't reflect the record spending. Despite major investments, homelessness has gotten worse. Camps are more visible than ever, and the city's approach hasn't led to meaningful change. Public safety is a growing concern — encampments, crime and fire risks are on the rise, making many neighborhoods less safe. The Assembly has leaned heavily on tax increases — including discussions of a sales tax — rather than evaluating whether current spending is working. This approach places more burden on families and businesses. Effective leadership isn't just about allocating more money; it's about making sure it's being used effectively. Anchorage needs leadership that prioritizes accountability, asks tougher questions and ensures policies actually improve outcomes without creating unnecessary burdens.
What's your vision for improving and diversifying Anchorage's economy?
Anchorage's economy should be built on opportunity, not obstacles. Right now, overly complex permitting, contradictory development rules, and excessive regulations are discouraging investment and pushing developers and entrepreneurs elsewhere. If we want to solve our housing shortage and attract new businesses, we need to streamline these processes, eliminate unnecessary barriers, and make Anchorage a place where innovation and growth are encouraged—not hindered. Anchorage should be seen as a destination for investment, not a place to avoid. A predictable, business-friendly environment will attract new industries, support small businesses, and create quality jobs that keep young professionals here instead of looking elsewhere. By prioritizing smart, strategic growth, we can diversify our economy, strengthen long-term stability, and build a thriving, resilient community for future generations.
What other important issue would you like to discuss?
Anchorage's Hillside faces a growing wildfire threat due to dense fuels, beetle-killed spruce and increasingly dry summer conditions. Despite multiple close calls, the community remains at risk of a catastrophic fire. Addressing this danger requires proactive mitigation strategies, including expanding community Firewise programs, accelerating dead vegetation clearing and improving evacuation planning. Emergency access routes must be strengthened, and firefighters need specialized training and resources tailored to wildland-urban fire threats. Wildfire prevention isn't just a government issue — it's a shared responsibility. City leaders must work closely with residents to implement effective mitigation efforts that protect homes, families and neighborhoods before disaster strikes.