Two of three legislators who hosted a beer-fueled party in the Capitol complex last week have apologized to their colleagues in the House of Representatives.
The apologies from Rep. Sara Rasmussen and Rep. Kelly Merrick came a week after the incident, hours after details of the speakeasy party came to light in Must Read Alaska.
Rasmussen disputed some of the party details being shared on social media, although she did not say which ones. She said the party in the Terry Miller Building featured innocent board games, basketball, and ping pong. Others who witnessed it on video described it as a frat-party with beer, leg wrestling, and beer pong.
Rasmussen said some of the accounts on social media are having repercussions in the families of some involved in the party.
She apologized for allowing her friends who do not have key card access to the building to enter it. And she asked for forgiveness and that people not share rumors about the trio, which includes Rep. Zack Fields.
The Capitol rules,established by the Legislative Council say no member of the public is allowed inside, and that includes the adjacent annexes. Wednesday was Day 78 of the statutory 90-day session and the public has been kept from the building the entire time, unable to observe or participate in their government in any meaningful way.
Rep. Merrick also apologized to the House. Her apology was brief and vague.
Both Merrick and Rasmussen are Republicans who bolted from the Republican caucus and now essentially caucus with the Democrats, including Rep. Fields, who is part of their Juneau clique.
Blogger Jeff Landfield took to his personal Twitter account: “Last Wednesday after work a small group of us went to the #akleg gym to play ping pong, basketball, and have some beers. No one was playing beer pong and there was no mess. Suzanne Downing could care less about the truth, she just enjoys tattling on people she doesn’t like. This is a real glimpse into many of the partisans in Juneau. They are much more interested in making a big deal about their political enemies hanging out and having some beers after work than they are about trying to solve the state’s budget deficit and other problems.”
However, Jessica Geary, who heads the Legislative Affairs Agency, sent a memo last week reminding people to clean up after themselves in the Terry Miller Building, and during Rasmussen’s apology she referenced the memo. Landfield contradicted Geary and also the janitors who reported the incident.
All legislators, aides, and others working in the building are required to sign a pledge to follow the Covid-19 mitigation policies, set forth by leadership:
Others present at the March 31 party included a member of the governor’s senior management staff and the House Majority press secretary Austin Baird. There’s no indication that the Democrat-led Majority intends to take any disciplinary action against any of the partiers.
It’s the second time Rep. Rasmussen has been caught up in an uncomfortable situation with Rep. Zack Fields. Last month, Fields made remarks insinuating how sexy Rasmussen is when he feted her on the House floor, saying that she has such great legs she is a traffic hazard in her district. That incident led to an apology from Fields for being sexist, and a second apology after the first one was roundly criticized by feminists. After that came a tearful acceptance of the apology from Rasmussen.
This time, however, Fields didn’t apologize, but let the women legislators do that work, while he sat next to them in the House.
Rep. David Eastman on Wednesday asked that the security videos be released to the public so that “rumor and gossip could be put to rest. “
“This is a public building being used by public officials and the public has a right to know what is happening in those buildings,” he said.
Legislative Council would make the decision about that video. But when an incident happened two years ago with an accusation against Sen. David Wilson, building security would not even allow Wilson to view the tape of the alleged infraction. Ultimately, Legislative Council relented, allowed Wilson to see the video, and the accusation was eventually dropped because the reported event never transpired.
“Why do we have all these cameras around here anyway if we are not allowed to see what is on them?” Eastman asked.
Geary at Legislative Affairs Agency has a copy of that video, and Must Read Alaska is filing a public records request for a copy of it.
I am assuming they ALL knew the rules, right? Then it is time for them to go home and get some people into the government positions who show respect for where they are and why they are there and yes, even, the rules! Apologies not accepted.
Obviously they ALL need to resign to get jobs more compatible to their families needs Before their marriages fall apart and they raise dysfunctional and estranged adult children.
This may be Eagle River’s big break replacing Rep. Merrick
What a bunch of children.
Leg wrestling? Wtf.
That is unacceptable behavior for those supposed to be representing the people of Alaska.
Nothing to see here folks just a couple of RINOs who act like they are fighting with DEMS in public then behind the scenes in private (or so they think) they are courting each other over a few drinks…not to mention many of these same people voted to extend the emergency declaration for Alaskans. #Hypocracy
So its do as we say, not as we do from our crooked, self-serving politicians who think they are our Overlords.
Anchorage trash sent to Juneau dressed up as adults. You must be so proud of these xssclowns.
I don’t care if you party, but do it legally and your DAY job first! Kelly and Sara were sent to be the Republican voice for US. You couldn’t organize, or vote on conservative amendments or get any work done. You need to go home on day 90!
Anchorage sending its finest down to Juneau. Their constituents must be soooooo proud of these xssclowns.
Nobody believes your beer breath apology, Sara.
How long is this continued lack of judgement going to go on by those involved? Appears to be a habit. What are we 12? Lawmakers, Governor Dunleavy’s deputy chief of staff, and a Hilcorp lobbyist. I wonder what David Rubenstein, the Carlyle Group, and the Recall Dunleavy campaign thinks of all this nonsense? Grow up.
Oh come on people
This group is working thier butts off.
All this planning and scheming takes a toll thier concious. Just getting drunk to sleep. A little hanky spanky is good for moral. I hope there was cake served.
Reprimand, and give them some aspirin.
Don’t do it again, or you’re fired.
Release the tapes. Paid for with tax dollars, this should be a clear case of public property.
The question becomes which one of the two women is Fields “caucusing” with after hours?
Whoa! Beer? Leg Wrestling? Simply awful… but, a real improvement over the Cocaine fueled parties of the late ’70’s and early 80’s enjoyed by members of this august Assembly! What about the high stakes poker games enjoyed at the Baranof by former Guv’s and other high ranking members of both parties?
Just a little historical perspective folks.
I have to wonder if those legs of Representative Rasmussen that caused such a stir a few weeks ago were involved in the “wrestling”?
If you declare, run and are elected as Republican and then defect to the other party you should be stripped of your seat because you lied to your constituents.
Show us the video and let us judge it for ourselves. As for Landfield, him calling the janitors liars isn’t a good look but that’s typical behavior for him.
When is enough….enough my fellow Alaskans? How many more times are we going to skip Election Day or continue to make poor choices when we do go to the polls.
Is it We The People who own the power to control our future and it is We who are handing the keys to the henhouse, time and again, to the foxes.
Are there no true Statesmen left in the great northland?
“..and that people not share rumors about the trio,”
“she just enjoys tattling on people she doesn’t like”
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Translation: “How DARE those peasants think they have a right to know what we do in Juneau while on their dime!! We are your leaders and overlords!! Sit down, shut up, and do what we tell you to do!!…..#@^%&* peasants!”
So let’s make it clear, SOA Employees, Were consuming Booze on SOA property. I know of former SOA employees fired for drinking booze on SOA property after work hours.
What is the difference?
Further who is this Rep. Zack Fields?
Two women ‘fess up to screwing up and the man is silent.
Come on Man, you have to kidding.
Alaska is so screwed!
Landfield is such a want-to-be/loser. Plus those others Fake republicans Sara, and Kelly.
Get your job done. Party at a local bar are your own room.
Yes we should see the cameras. Wait just like BLM there nothing to see here but the building burning in the back ground.
Vote them all out liars, traitors.
I am enjoying the comments. So far I have found out that readers believe we pay State taxes, that My District 22 representative does not meet MRAK standards and that legislators of different political parties are not to meet socially. I am keeping my Sara sign to use for the next election.
If it was so innocent then the party of three should be requesting the video be publicized as well, Right. I mean, how boring to watch some serious minded legislators sitting there sipping on their beers while playing scrabble, isn’t that what Rasmussen insisted that that’s all it was. So Release the Video!!, let’s see who’s telling the truth. I’m sure some spouses wouldn’t mind seeing what’s on the video too.
Releasing the security video will show who is lying and who is telling the truth.
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But, just another illustration of why they (don’t) get so much accomplished on our behalf.
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PS. Reply function still not working.
Two Completely meaningless apologies from Two traitors making their apologies for getting caught. However, No apologies for selling out as of yet though.
Rasmussen Video apology…. Did She actually just pull the “Jesus only being perfect” card for this one. “hahahaha”
Sara, it looks like YOU just “SHOT YOURSELF in the foot”, turning RINO. Don’t expect yourself to win much next election.
And Zack Fields apologizes to his wife..
Again.
And then there’s the two Traitors Merrick and Rasmussen.
And to top off this clown show is the ringleader.. Jeff Landfield .
You just can’t make this stuff up, good on Eastman requesting the security video.
Not many are but I will ask the question of Mr. Dunleavy. Your deputy chief of staff, a position very close to you, was in on this scandal ! Kevin Clarkson, Ed Sniffen, all who are chosen by you , are less than I would invite into my own home, yet you Mr. Dunleavy continue to be hanging around and choosing the not so desirables to be your leaders, keeping them in your inner circle. Why? Will you ever come out of your damn closet and explain your reasoning for keeping this type of company?
“You will know the character of your leaders by the company they keep”.
Mr. Dunleavy what is your response?
Do we have anything more pressing to worry about ??? We have an economy that’s on egg shells, a president if that’s what you want to call him that falls down, drools and slurs his speech and we are worried about a couple beers in a capital building.
Can you imagine the response from leadership had it been Senator Reinbold or Representatives Eastman or Kurka who had allowed unauthorized visitors into the capital area? Censure, demands for resignation, locked out of their offices for not adhering to “safety” rules, recall petitions?
Spouses & significant others cannot be happy about this malarkey. When that drunk, showing that level of thoughtless indifference to the COVID-19 mandates *THEY PUT IN PLACE* one knows for a fact that the simple acts of mask wearing and condom usage are out the window too.
To Sara and Kelly, we don’t care what you do or where you do it.
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Clean up your trash, your post-orgy biohazards, try not to be too much of an embarassment and party on!
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Kudos to you for thumbing your noses at the Peoples China Flu Monitors.
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Kindly remember productive Alaskans have no lobbyists and damned little representation except for what you two may care to provide in a generous moment.
Let’s not forget a certain powerful senator in 1993, violated the state ethics law by sexually harassing young women, including a 17-year-old legislative page during his time in Juneau. The senator had been knocking on the motel door and trying to persuade the desk clerk to give him a key to the woman’s room, “reeked of alcohol,” the clerk said.
This is a reply to Frank Rast. We do pay state taxes. Eight cents a gallon on gasoline for one.
Reply to Frank Rast: Every single Alaskan resident from age one on paid about $2,000.00 to the state of Alaska last year, the year before, and the year before that. In 2017 we lucked out and only had to pay about $1,500.00.
@The Masked Avenger. Both at once. Democrats will do “Anything” to keep their majority. To a certain extent you have to admire their tenacity, and wonder why the Republicans lack their killer instinct
Infidelity.
Lying.
Drinking in state buildings after hours – anyone else would be fired.
I wonder what the spouses of Rasmussen, Kelly, and little Zacky think about this.
Liars.
Release the tapes if this is sooo innocent.
Wow.
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