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Lawmakers express support for McGuire

by Bill McAllister
Tuesday, July 10, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- They were the only husband-wife team in the recent history of the Legislature. So, now that former East Anchorage Rep. Tom Anderson has been found guilty of seven felony charges, how might that affect the legislative career of his wife, Sen. Lesil McGuire?

The consensus from legislators appears to be that there should be no change at all.

McGuire, a senator representing South Anchorage, has not been charged or even accused of any wrongdoing in the ongoing public corruption probe by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice; therefore, her colleagues say there will be no guilt by association.

Sen. Bill Wielechowski said he has no problem with Anderson's conviction yesterday on seven felony counts including bribery and extortion.  

"It certainly is a tragedy, and it's a tragedy that it took the FBI to come in and clean house here in Alaska. But, I think it's a good thing. I think it's like a hurricane blowing through and it clears out the dead and diseased wood," said Wielechowski, D-Anchorage.    

But, Wielechowski said he stands behind McGuire, as a fellow member of the bipartisan majority working group in the Senate.

"I just don't think that it's fair to hold that against her: the actions of one family member who did something very wrong. To hold that against another family member that knows nothing about it -- I think most people would agree that's not a fair thing to do," Wielechowski said.    

Other lawmakers agree.

Rep. Berta Gardner, an Anchorage Democrat, acknowledged that there were no allegations made directly against McGuire during the trial.

"And as I understand it, in the trial there was testimony that her husband hid the source of money that he was getting. So I don't know that there should be any change for her, legislatively, in the immediate future," she said.

Sen. Gary Stevens said McGuire is valuable to the Legislature.

"It's very sad to see what has happened with Tom's case and everyone is concerned and shocked about it. But, as far as Lesil McGuire is concerned in her leadership in the Senate, she's well-respected. She plays an important role in the Senate organization," said Stevens, R-Kodiak.    

McGuire herself said her constituents and other Alaskans can rely on the same performance from her that they've come to expect.

"Your constituents get a rare opportunity, sometimes, to watch you in times of adversity and how you conduct yourself. I feel like it has been with strength and my nose to the grindstone and continuing to work hard, if anything, maybe some days more impassioned and more strengthened on issues," she said.    

Anderson could be headed to prison, but McGuire is still Juneau-bound.

Sen. Johnny Ellis said that while McGuire will no doubt be mindful the public eye is on her, he hopes all legislators will have a heightened awareness of their responsibilities.

McGuire said she has the support of family and friends, which is helping her deal with the recent events. Sen. Bettye Davis recalled being urged not to run for re-election in 2004, just after her husband died. Davis said she's glad she did and she thinks McGuire can persevere in this situation.

Contact Bill McAllister at bmcallister@ktuu.com