PETERSBURG, AK Petersburg Republican Steven Samuelson says boosting ferry ridership and energy development are two of the issues he’ll tackle if he’s elected to the Alaska house next year. The 32-year-old hardware store employee is starting his second run for the District 2 seat representing Petersburg, Wrangell, Sitka, Pelican, Elfin Cove and Port Alexander. He challenged Wrangell incumbent Peggy Wilson in the August 2008 primary, winning 39 percent of the votes cast in that race, with his strongest support in his hometown. Samuelson spent part of last year working for the Sitka-based company Allen Marine in the Juneau area. He also got married in August and says he’s spent time following the legislature during last winter’s session and staying involved with the regional organization Southeast Conference. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Samuelson about his decision to run again.
