Four prominent Republican women’s organizations in Alaska have announced they are withdrawing support from legislators who vote to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 57, a bill related to education funding.
The announcement was made in a joint statement by the Anchorage Republican Women’s Club, the Valley Republican Women of Alaska, Republican Women of Kenai, and the Kenai Peninsula Republican Women. These groups have long been active in conservative grassroots efforts across the state, playing key roles in mobilizing voters and supporting Republican candidates.
In the statement, the organizations accuse lawmakers who support overriding the veto of aligning with union-backed politics and preserving a broken education status quo.
They assert that overriding the veto would be a “failure of both principle and leadership,” and the women vow to withdraw all forms of political support — including endorsements, fundraising, volunteering, and campaigning — from any legislator who votes to override.
“Today, the women’s conservative leadership across Alaska is making one thing clear to members of the Alaska Legislature: If you vote to override Governor Dunleavy’s veto of HB57 it is a failure of both principle and leadership. And we will not stand behind it, or behind you,” the statement says.
“The women’s conservative clubs and grassroots leaders who have fueled Republican victories in this state, who’ve knocked the doors, made the calls, and rallied the support, you have officially lost us.
“We are the moms, grandmothers, and community leaders who have powered Republican victories for years. We’ve knocked on doors, made phone calls, raised money, and rallied voters. But today, we say: Enough.
“What the Governor is fighting for does matter to your family:
• Stronger early interventions, so every child has the foundation to succeed in school.
• Expanded school choice, to bring transparency, accountability, and open enrollment options to every parent.
• Greater accountability for how education dollars are spent and the results they produce.
“These are the kinds of changes that put your child’s future first,” the statement continues.
“Let us be perfectly clear:
“We will not endorse.
“We will not volunteer.
“We will not fundraise.
“We will not campaign. Not for any legislator who sides with union-backed politics and the broken education status quo over real solutions for our kids.”
Gov. Dunleavy vetoed HB 57 on Monday, citing concerns that the bill increased public education funding without tying the funding to structural reforms that would improve learning in Alaska’s failing schools.
The governor has pushed for changes such as stronger early interventions, expanded school choice, and greater accountability in how education dollars are spent — proposals supported by many Alaskans, but not reflected strongly enough in HB 57.
The Republican women’s clubs echo the governor’s priorities, arguing that reforms must accompany any funding increases to ensure educational outcomes improve for Alaska’s students.
“Bottom line: The Governor is demanding more than just funding — he’s demanding a system that works. If your legislator chooses more money with no change, they are choosing failure. And we will not stand beside failure. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN,” the statement says.
HB 57 had passed in the Legislature, but overriding a gubernatorial veto requires a three-fourths majority vote. With several conservative organizations publicly opposing the override, political pressure on undecided lawmakers has increased sharply.
The fallout from this rift could have implications for the 2026 election cycle, particularly in Republican primaries where conservative grassroots support is often decisive. Legislators who support the override may now face backlash from within their own party at the district and state level.
Bravo! Ladies.