Alaskan Independence Party Gives Up the Game, Officially Dissolves

Alaska’s third largest political party, the Alaskan Independence Party (AIP) dissolved on December 7, 2025, after 41 years of advocating its “Alaska First” agenda as an officially recognized party of the State of Alaska.

How Was AIP Started?

AIP began as Alaskans for Independence, a political movement established by the straight-shooting goldminer, Joe Vogler, who wished to see an independent Nation of Alaska. Vogler, known to many as “Old Joe,” vehemently advocated for the secession of Alaska from the United States of America. In 1984, Vogler renamed Alaskans for Independence as the Alaskan Independence Party and achieved State recognition as an official political party.

One of AIP’s most significant political achievements was the election of Walter J. Hickel, who won his 1990 governorship as an AIP candidate. Hickel’s governorship was wracked with political turmoil, drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle. Several attempts were made to remove Hickel from office under allegations of ethics violations and “mental unfitness.” However, the attempts proved unsuccessful and Hickel served a full term.

In 1993, Vogler was scheduled to present his case for Alaskan secession to the United Nations General Assembly. He was assassinated before he could present his case.

What was AIP Like in the 2000s?

Secession remained a top priority for AIP into the 2000s. Former AIP Chairman Mark Chryson, who played a critical role in electing Sarah Palin as mayor of Wasilla, stated in an interview that the Southern states should have been allowed to secede from the Union. He argued: “The War of Northern Aggression, or the Civil War, or the War Between the States — however you want to refer to it — was not about slavery, it was about states’ rights.”

However, Chryson did reform the party’s platform by toning down the secessionist language and instead emphasizing the party’s desire for a state-wide vote that presents the options of statehood, commonwealth status, or independent nationhood. At some point, the party’s platform dropped all mention of this or a similar vote and all mention of secession.

What Were AIP’s Most Recent Priorities?

The most recent AIP platform identified constitutional fidelity as its first priority: “We pledge to exert our best efforts to accomplish the following: 1. To effect full compliance with the constitutions of the United States of America and The State of Alaska.” Other priorities listed in the platform are abolishment of property and income taxes, return of current federally-owned land to the state and people of Alaska, reduction of bureaucratic regulations, protection of the Permanent Fund Dividend, and staunch support for gun rights, traditional family values, pro-life policies, and Alaska-focused employment policies.

Why Did AIP Choose to Dissolve?

In 2024, the AIP Board of Directors found “current party membership is either apathetic to the goals of the party, believes that the party is a branch of the Republican party, or is registered to AIP by mistake.” Despite the board stating its continued belief in “Independence for every individual Alaskan,” the party officially dissolved on December 7, 2025.

AIP Secretary Robert Williams stated: “We informed the state Division of Elections about the decision on December 7th, but are now making a general press release so that people are informed as they make their plans for 2026.” Alaska now has three recognized political parties: the Alaska Republican Party, the Alaska Democrat Party, and the Alaska Libertarian Party. Eight other organized groups have filed applications with the Division of Elections for official recognition.