Led by Anchorage Republican Sen. Cathy Giessel, more than one quarter of the members of the Alaska State Legislature wrote to the Federal Trade Commission, urging the government to block the Kroger-Albertsons grocery store merger.
Nearly all of the signers are Democrats or lawmakers who can’t get elected if they are listed as Republican, so choose to list themselves as Undeclared.
The letter was signed by Democrat Sen. Bill Wielechowski, Sen. Loki Tobin, Sen. Matt Claman, Sen. Jesse Kiehl, Sen. Scott Kawasaki, Sen. Forrest Dunbar, sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson. Republicans senator who signed the letter included Sen. Rob Myers, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, and Sen. Click Bishop.
It’s unusual that Sen. Rob Myers of Fairbanks signed the letter since he was banished from the Senate’s Democrat-dominated majority.
From the House, Democrat Rep. Genevieve Mina, Rep. Alyse Galvin, Rep. Ashley Carrick, Rep. Zack Fields, Rep. Donna Mears, Rep. Cliff Groh, Rep. Jennie Armstrong, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, Rep. Calvin Schrage, Rep. Andi Story, Rep. Sara Hannan, Andy Josephson and Republican-in-name-only Rep. Louise Stutes, who caucuses with Democrats.
The group falsely claimed to the FTC that Kroger would close 14 stores throughout Alaska, when in actuality the plan is to sell the stores. But according to these lawmakers this would leave “thousands of Alaskans unsure about the future of their employment, access to food supplies, and overall competitiveness to keep prices reasonable and low.
“Alaska is facing major uphill battles in recruiting and retaining skilled workers in all industries, while also struggling to keep residents in the state,” said Giessel who was once a conservative but now caucuses with the Democrats. “When you add on major store closures, decrease grocery options, and set the stage for antitrust practices in this state, it puts an additional strain on an economy that we are striving to improve for working Alaska families.”
Rep. Mary Peltola, along with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan have also gone on record opposing the merger.
“One of the basic functions of government is to provide opportunities and paths for success. We hope that Chair Khan and the Commission will embrace this fundamental value while considering the proposed merger and think about the impact to the Alaska economy and its citizens – from food security to quality employment where Alaskans can earn a living wage,” said Sen. Wielechowski. “We see no benefit to the residents of the state of Alaska with this merger, only increased hurdles.”
According to news reports, sources claim the FTC is not satisfied with the $24.6 billion deal, even if Kroger and Albertsons divest over 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers.
The Federal Trade Commission may be preparing to legally challenge the merger in court, and representatives on both sides are meeting this week to talk about the deal.
In Supermarket News, sources said the FTC will probably take Kroger and Albertsons to court over the sale of the stores to C&S.
