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 two-thirds 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.
It looks like I’m finally going to get some company.
Nancy, now it’s really hard for us to know who are real friends are. Lisa has poisoned our relationships with so many people in Alaska, that I’m now uncomfortable walking around town, let alone going with you to anymore Republican luncheons.
Primary Kelly Merrick out of office, 🙏
Did anyone consult the teachers who are on the frontlines ? So put money into early learning and don’t look at absenteeism or parental neglect? I question your logic.
Probably not.
I am sure they only listened to the dynamic duo of Bellamy/Bryantt who went to Juneau to demand more money for administrative assistance to deal with all the complaints about unruly students and parents.
It requires a 2/3 vote. Appropriations is a 3/4 vote.
Thank you ARWC— Judy Eledge and Portia Erickson and all of the other Republican women’s leadership clubs! You have spoken clearly. May the RINOs hear you loud and clear. I applaud your decisive leadership.
Thank you Governor Dunleavy for being an adult in a landscape of mathematically deficient buffoons!
Lol. Voting.
In the year of our Lord 2025.
The powers that be can import replacement votes faster than you can settle on another politician that will betray you as soon as they’re sworn in.
Get wise to the fake gayness that is doing the honest thing in a land of crooks.
If it weren’t for the Republican Women in Alaska, many of our conservative legislators would never have been elected. They deserve our thanks for working very hard to elect those conservatives. Now, some of those legislators are rebelling against the governor and vital education reform.
It appears as if the NEA and the Education Industry have much more power in Juneau than parents, grandparents, and just plain ordinary Alaskans. Alaska may be the last State to have real education reform and that is too bad for our students. Union wins, kids lose! That’s except for Tom Klaameyer who sent his kid to the most expensive private school in Alaska–Pacific Northern Academy. Public schools aren’t good enough for the entitled “leader”.
I tip my cap to Anchorage Republican Women’s Club, the Valley Republican Women of Alaska, Republican Women of Kenai, and the Kenai Peninsula Republican Women.
EVERYONE (including all union, NGO supporters, and poorly informed voters) STATEWIDE needs support these 4 groups, & Govenor Dunleavy.
I am all in with these groups, no coming back or changing your mind
RALLY THE TROOPS. IT’S TIME TO PLAY HARDBALL
Ok Republicans you have been warned! Get with the program!!
There you have it. Republican women groups have far more character than establishment legislators. We are all long past the foolish belief that throwing more money at the miserable failure known as the public education bureaucracy will do anything but make it worse. Since academic failure breeds drug and alcohol addiction, which in turn, breeds homelessness and destruction of life, it is fair to say the public education system is truly a system of child abuse. Republican women are making a last stand to save children.
Good job Ladies! Any bets this crap would stop if the Capital was on a road system? Been here 60 years and watched the greed get worse and worse Especially with the DemocRATS and Rinos
Disturbing how politicians act when they assume party positions outside their professed political affiliation. Instead of being out for themselves, political figures are SUPPOSED to be serving others. Deviously, they use their positions to rifle the public’s pockets so they and their Union friends can enjoy exclusive benefits
Hear Hear Taildragger’s words, Merrick and Saddler! Merrick, I already suspected as a phony conservative and she’s not in my district. Saddler, I’m sadly surprised. You will never again get my vote for any office and I will spread the word to my friends in this conservative community who elected you. Your vote was a dismal disappointment!
Stutes and Merrick. Under no circumstances should they recieve any GOP support, money or air.
Amen!
Thank you, women!!
Republican primaries don’t exist anymore
Wish they would do the same to every “republican” that entered into the caucus that robbed us from having the majority we voted for.
It’s past time to for the Districts to censure the 7 Republicans working w the D’s to pass these Bills. It’s also time to levy Art 6 charges against the Republican District Committees who aren’t Censuring these legislators.
Great job ladies, power in numbers, let’s unify on ousting murky and axing RCV
Poor Rob Yundt, I’m afraid if integrity were dynamite he wouldn’t have enough to blow a fart.
Yundt.
Quite possibly THE biggest disappointment in Alaska politics in the last 20+ years.
Besides the FRAUDULENT write in senatorial campaign when Murkowski stole the election from Joe Miller.
Dunleavy’s math does not math
To bad the Republican men don’t have back bones like these women.
And you wonder how/why we end up with bipartisan majorities run by the Dems instead of huge majorities run by Republicans the way we had for ages… Republicans have been useless on PFDs, are awful on schools/childcare, and no matter how bad the Dems keep doing (at basically everything else) voters (and the AK constitution) say we have to operate a public education system that works.
Dunleavy has been stunningly unsuccessful as an executive at bringing about improved student outcomes (or restoring PFDs – which Dunleavy said he couldn’t do from Senate Finance – but would be able to do from the Governor’s office – how’s that going?) with no real indication he might start doing better before he leaves office.
If more Republican groups would nut up and do this, the Kelly Merricks and Cathy Giessels of the Alaska political world would either toe the line or be primaried. All things being equal, I’d rather see the both of those rats primaried.
Rollo,
There is no longer a Republican primary, thankfully.
Dump Costello!!!!!
Don’t just ignore them, actively work to defeat them.
You Go Girls!
basically the whole group in Juneau needs to go! bunch of lying Rinos!
I just love, love, love watching Republicans eat their own ! Love it !!
It’s called housekeeping, the democrats should try it.
A Huge Block of Like Minded VOTERS, can affect RCV. One solidly endorsed Republican can unseat a RHINO. Unions have power in small numbers, A. REAL REPUBLICAN candidate will be able to overcome Union money, endorsement, and physical assistance. YUNDT, in 3 1/2 tears you are out of here. A Governor’s Veto pen can undo everything you pushed through. You will go down in history as a Waste of Our Time.
Yeah, yeah! As some would say, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! So what’s new?
So the bastards stuck it right in your faces, overrode Governor D’s veto of their gift to the education industry, and you’re going to do what, remind again, please?
.
Gonna “withdraw support” from your cute and cuddly friends, declare them persona non grata like the Georgia GOP did with their RINO’s, bar them from all events and places owned or sponsored by the GOP? Even though they kind of look like Republicans and cheated on you like only just this once?
.
Well gals, you’ve got it to do. Let us know how it goes. Today, by close of business, is good.
.
And to our state GOP leadership, where’ve you been while this is going on, if you don’t expel these bastards from the GOP, what the hell good are you?
.
No young up-and-comers ready, willing, and able to take the places of these education-industry prostitutes, or do you lot even know …or care?
I agree with expulsion of the rot! How can it be accomplished without the steady onslaught of litigation? $$$$$?
Way to go Republican Women. You have MY full support! I will support whoever you choose to support!
These staunch conservatives have no problem cashing their unfunded State of Alaska pension checks which are billions in arrears. Easy to cut funds from issues that do not affect your pocket. Let us square up the pension fiasco and place those monies in the Permanent Fund.
Keep em stupid and make them afraid of the 3 Gs they are gonna take Our God, Guns and make our kids Gay.
Republican mission statement 2025.
I find it strange the vote is not tallied, along with who voted how, on the website. I’d like the votes of our senators and representatives posted with the same speed as the overall count.
OK, republican women – now remember to carry out your threats in 2026. Governors need support and these Rinos did not deliver. He had a better bill, but the democratic overlords buried it. Did the Rinos care? Probably helped. No wonder there has been no improvement. Line up the Rinos and vote them all out of politics – permanently!
Good move, ladies!!
It’s about time. Hope all Republican groups follow!
Out with Yundt
How about the rest of the Alaska Republican Party? They censure Murkowski then, reverse it. Their testosterone levels pale in comparison to these women.