Walker is GOP. "During the 1964 Alaska earthquake which severely damaged Valdez, the family lost most of their personal and business possessions. At the age of 12, Walker became a janitor to help his family. Walker worked in his family's construction business as a carpenter, laborer, and teamster on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which helped him pay for his education. He later was elected as mayor of Valdez, Alaska from 1979 through 1980, becoming Valdez's youngest mayor at 27