The tale of these mountaineers when both of these awesome people met as young man and young woman when Chris was living in Fairbanks in the 1970's. Both had the awesome amazing spirit of the outdoors.
Fast forward to 2005
In 2005 Chris Birch defeated Dick Tremaine to start his career in the Anchorage Assembly which lasted three terms.
In 2007 Jennifer Johnston runs for an open seat when Janice Shamberg decides not to run again due to fact she was no longer eligible to run again.
Both Chris and Jennifer during their time on the Anchorage Assembly may not agree on all the issues facing their district. They worked together to find solutions for all there residents in their district while they served on the Anchorage Assembly.
From 2014 to 2016 Chris was term limited and could no longer serve on the assembly advised Jennifer during her last two years in office on issues involving the Assembly district.
The next adventure of these two dynamic duo
In 2016 both Chris and Jennifer decide to run for seats in their legislative districts
Chris decide to take on an incumbent in the primary named Bob Lynn and won the primary. I made no endorsement in that race. I liked both candidates.
Jennifer ran for an open legislative seat since Craig Johnson ran for the State Senate. He lost to Natasha Von Imhof in the primary who became state senator. I did endorse Craig Johnson for the seat. I did not endorse either Natasha or Roselynn Cacy for that seat in the general election. She beat Ross Bieling in the primary. I endorsed Ross in this race.
Both won their races and began to work together again for South Anchorage this time in the legislature. Most conservative not happy with some of there votes.
Then in 2018 Kevin Meyer decided to run for Lt. Governor. This change the role of this dynamic duo from South Anchorage. You know had the two in two different chambers. You have Jennifer in the house and Chris in the senate. Both easily won their primaries. Chris was able to easily defeat Bekah Halat due to a last minute bomb shell of welfare fraud claim. Jennifer easily defeated Ross Bieling a second time. I may have to due a South Anchorage version of the Hatfields and McCoys like I did with the Higgins and Milletes in 2016. The South Anchorage version would be title it is Johnston and Bielings again. If Ross runs a third time.
At the time of Chris Birch's death both members of this dynamic duo had recall petitions against them due to their unpopular stance on the permanent fund dividend. Jennifer's decision to join the Democrat lead house majority and Chris's decision to go to Juneau instead of Wasilla during special session. Chris's recall campaign has been terminated and Jennifer's is currently on pause. I am suggested it be terminated as well.
Both served South Anchorage well in the legislature to the end. Both Chris and Jennifer are doing a great job.
