James W. “JP4” Parkin
Republican | Alaska
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
James W. “JP4” Parkin
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lewis & Clark, Lewiston, BS Biology, 1981-1985
Lewis & Clark, Lewiston, BS Natural Sciences, 1979-1985
University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, MS Technology, 1999-2002
University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, MS Leadership, 2008-2012
WORK & MILITARY
Navy, Aviation Structural Mech, 1975-
7-12 Alaska Teacher 30 years, Teacher (7 certifications)
K-12 Alaska Principal 3 years, Principal
Alaska Miner 10 years, Assay Lab Tech 6
AFFILIATIONS
National Teachers Association Alaska, Local President/State Rep.
National Teachers Association, National Delegate
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Councilman
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidates response in the Alaska Watchman to the question "If elected, how will you protect unborn Alaskans from abortion?"
Alaska candidate position statement 2026.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
I am personally not neutral but extremely pro-life. I am, however, also pro-choice. My goal is to make abortion obsolete not illegal. I will form a task force to ask women and find out what supports they believe they would need to choose life over abortion. Then I would make these things available so that they will have a real choice. I believe that if we work together we can reach the goal of no more abortions by choice.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
This is a very personal decision. I feel comfortable advising the individual to pray about the decision and do what they feel is best. I want to support those in this situation not make judgements for or about them.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Agree
Life belongs first to the individual. Perhaps the most private of decisions. Yes, protect but demand no. I am not comfortable making personal choices for others. Of course I believe in providing every necessary support for those facing these kinds of decisions. That they will have the means to make the very best choice for them.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Did not answer
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Did not answer
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
It should be a livable wage for adult workers.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. S.M.A.R.T. Directives, 2. Feedback Access Reports (FAR's), and 3. One-page Accountability Reports (OAR's), 4. Change from a "Spend It or Lose It" budget system to a "Save it and Make It" budget system. These 4 priorities will eliminate waste from the inside out without the need for a DOGE type review. *see my website or contact me for details of how this system will work to create a reduced waste, self funding, sustainable budget.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It does not mean separation of God and state just that there will be no state designated church as was the case in England.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Exceptions for life and death situations.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Did not answer
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Neutral
The devision of our own people via party politics is the greatest threat to our nations security. If we are united we have nothing to fear. If we fight among ourselves we are vulnerable. If we treat others with respect we will gain their respect. Yes, there are radicals. We should not allow them to set the standard. I believe, to make America great we must set the example of caring for other nations without oppression. We should not give money but give a helping hand.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The United States relations with Israel and all other nations are very important. We are a world leader. We should do all that we can to establish good relations with all nations. I am not privy to inside information on international relations, only a personal believe that care begets care. I understand the complexities of world economics and relations, however, I believe the values of personal relationships hold true.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Disagree
I believe in obeying and sustaining the law. I believe that all people are endowed by God with inalienable rights. I do not support the way that ICE has been utilized to handle the illegal alien issue. I believe the divisiveness between the parties is a greater threat to our nation's security than our immigration problems. I believe we can solve our immigration and all other problems best if we can find common ground and work together. United we stand and divided we fall history has taught us.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Why stop with the education department? The federal government has taken control of many things I would like to see returned to the states. Control over and the return of our lands and the funds from our resources guaranteed in our Statehood Act (over 8 billion a year) , the right to control fishing in their outside waters to stop bycatch, to manage fish and wildlife in our national forests for consistancy in management across the state.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
I will take all the money I can get for our education system from wherever I can get it as long as it is moral, legal and comes with no strings attached. Would anyone care if the french or English offered to give us education funds with no strings attached?
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
What happens when parents don't recognize their duty and responsibility to care for their children. What if they can't even properly care for themselves?
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Neutral
Can we just leave the children alone? Keep them safe and let them grow up happy and healthy without worrying about grownup crap! When they are adults they can decide for themselves.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
The government has no business telling anyone how they should live their personal lives.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Ultimately it is a freedom issue but I believe gambling impacts those in lower economic circumstance, is socially addictive and has other negative effects.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a christian. I believe it is my goal in life to exemplify the savior to the best of my ability. I believe the words of our Declaration of Independence that "all men (people) are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I believe that all people should be free to choose what they will or won't believe or do and that they are responsible for and or will be affected by their choices. One person or group of people should not force his/her/their opinions on others and should never use government or law to enforce their beliefs. However, the government and law can and should be used to gently persuade all to do that which is most beneficial for all.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I pledge to support and defend The Constitution of The United States of America. Every civil servant pledges to do so. That same constitution grants voting power and authority to the individual states, not to the federal government! Let every state decide for themselves how they will vote. No, I don't agree with voting without identification, but it is not my decision to make. The people of Alaska have decided that they will require identification to vote and we do. Enough federal overreach!
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
Reparations should be given based on if it is reasonable and due. In our ignorance of the past we have done much harm. Is there harm in doing what we can to make amends so that we can all move forward?
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
No to biological men in women's sports or places. However, since the situation already exists where same sex attracted individuals are occupying the same bathrooms, etc... Efforts should be made to make these spaces more private. It does not need to be expensive. Minor changes to these spaces would suffice.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Agree
The Earth is our home. We are responsible for its care. What happens to the Earth happens to us all. We must protect the climate, air, water, wildlife and land. In Alaska, I believe that helium airships are a viable alternative to the building of environmentally destructive road construction. Alaska can access many of its resources that are currently inaccessible and can access all of its resources faster, with less permitting and environmental impact. It is the way of the future for Alaska.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe we should move in the direction of hydrogen power. It is clean burning and does not effect climate change. I needs further development, as all things have, but it is the right direction. It can be use to generate electricity and much more.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
However, I am also very tolerant of other's beliefs. Freedom to choose is a foundational principal of America. I believe it is a God given right.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To serve and protect all people. To exemplify and uphold the spirit as well as the letter of the law. To bring criminals to justice and to try to rehabilitate them.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Agree
It is the parents responsibility to protect their children from such and the governments responsibility to help if called on by the parent. It is also the governments responsibility to punish perpetrators of such behavior.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Agree
I am no expert, but I would be surprised if there were not some points within our legal framework that were similar to Sharia law. I try to respect the beliefs of others but, I would not support any diminishing of women's rights or anyone else's rights.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The Constitution of The United States and of Alaska say that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed" (restricted). I agree! Those who commit crimes with guns must be "Severely dealt with" such that criminals will not risk using guns to commit crimes. It is time to punish those who break the law, not those who keep it. As a concealed carry holder for many states and a hunter safety instructor for 15 years, I also believe that education is very important.
