Eagle River resident Bob Lupo discusses his priorities as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Lupo, a Republican, doesn't expect to win but instead hopes to bring attention to issues such as emergency readiness, the need for in-state oil refineries, and better veterans' benefits. Star photo by Zaz Hollander

Bob "Joker" Lupo is running for lieutenant governor.

But seriously, this entertaining Eagle River Republican knows he's got a slim shot at winning.

"I thought I might have a chance if people read what I have to say," Lupo said. "No matter what, I can at least get my ideas out there."

Lupo ran unsuccessfully for Anchorage mayor last year, but drew some attention after he tried – also unsuccessfully – to get his nickname on the ballot. Lupo isn't even bothering to pick that fight with the state elections division this time around.

He faces three challengers in the Aug. 26 primary elections: Fairbanks state Rep. Jay Ramras, talk-radio personality Eddie Burke, and former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission Mead Treadwell.

While some candidates in the crowded field are already dropping out rather than waste their money, Lupo is running his campaign on the cheap. So far, he's spent $150 for five T-shirts and 100 business cards.

The cards describe Lupo's service in the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army; his college degrees in electronics, philosophy and anthropology; and his birth in New York City 69 years ago and move to Alaska in 1981.

But there's not enough room on the small paper rectangles for Lupo's list of ideas about improving Alaska.

For one, he said, the state needs more emergency operations centers capable of responding to a myriad of disasters from earthquakes to floods to forest fires.

He is also pushing for more in-state refineries so Alaskans get first dibs on gasoline made from Alaska's oil.

Lupo said that if elected, he'd also fly to far-flung communities and villages all over the state as "an ambassador of good will" to hear from residents personally. To save money, he'd piggyback as much as possible on Alaska National Guard flights to the Bush.

Lupo serves as chairman of the Veterans Party of Alaska. He reads his poetry at veterans' gatherings.

Not surprisingly, he wants better services for the state's numerous veterans, including broader help with college tuition and bringing USO centers to Alaska's cities. The centers provide morale and recreation services to uniformed military personnel. Or, as Lupo puts it, a place "where somebody can get off base, have a sandwich and watch TV."

He also plans to lobby for a new Vietnam memorial that recognizes Alaskan veterans who died of non-combat injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder or complications of Agent Orange exposure.

If this lieutenant governor bid pans out, Lupo said he would rather be called a statesman than a politician.

While he has never held political office, he has lived a remarkable life, to hear him tell it.

Here's a partial list of Lupo's accomplishments, according to the man himself: missile systems technician; abalone diver; recipient of a theater scholarship awarded at the Kennedy Center by the actress who played Granny on "The Beverly Hillbillies."

But wait. There's more:

That cry a defiant Charlton Heston used to make during National Rifle Association appearances? It comes from a bumper sticker Lupo said he created: "I will give up my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."

He opened for Mamie Van Doren with his first comedy act, and a few years later got whisked away to the Playboy Mansion by an assistant of Hugh Hefner himself.

Lupo said he also invented a device to help cure leukemia by blasting the deadly cancer cells with lasers. He's still looking to give that idea away, he said. He just didn't have the time to devote to the concept years ago.

As for that nickname, Lupo earned it when he started his stand-up comedy career, and now uses it as his handle when he rides with the Veterans of Vietnam Motorcycle Club.

And even though it won't appear on the ballot next month Lupo said that's OK.

"People in Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek and of course, the bikers, they all know me as Joker."

This article published in The Alaska Star on Wednesday, July 7, 2010.