Republicans again have defeated the ranked-choice ballot. And it’s not even November.
In District 9, two Republicans have dropped, leaving Republican Lucy Bauer alone on the ballot to face Ky Holland, who is endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party.
Candidates Lee Ellis of Girdwood and Brandy Pennington made it official today. Bauer was the leading Republican out of the primary this month, so they’re making room for her.
Ellis came away with 870 votes, Pennington received 811, and Bauer received 933.
Rather than split the donation and volunteer base, and make Republican voters uncertain or confused about who to support, both Ellis and Pennington cleared the runway for Bauer, who can now also get the endorsement of the Alaska Republican Party later in September. Update: Ellis, who only recently registered as a Republican, has endorsed stealth-Democrat Holland. Evidently Ellis was recruited to run by hardline Democrat Rep. Zack Fields as a plant.
Holland will be tough enough to beat with just one Republican in the race. He received 1,880 votes in the primary.
Lucy Bauer will need the help of Republicans to beat him.
“I dreamed of coming to America when I was a child,” Bauer says on her website. “I immigrated here the first chance I got. I immediately fell in love with the country and never looked back. This country has given me so many opportunities for success and now I’m running for office to give something back. I will work just as hard for you in the State House as I have in building a successful business. I come from humble roots and look forward to serving the community that I have grown so attached to.”
The pattern of Republican self-sacrifice follows what happened earlier in Eagle River, with Republicans Sharon Jackson and Ken McCarty dropping out to clear the path for Republican Jared Goecker to face Sen. Kelly Merrick, who is also a Republican, but who has lost the trust of many due to her allegiance to Democrats. She is not kindly regarded by many in her district, and Goecker got more votes from her in the primary, even though there were two other Republicans to choose from.
In Senate Seat H, Republican Tom McKay dropped, and Republican Liz Vazquez now has a clean shot at taking out Sen. Matt Claman, the Democrat.
That leaves House District 36, where Republicans Dana Mock and Cole Crabgress have both dropped from the November general election to allow Republican Rebecca Schwanke a better chance at defeating Democrat Brandon Kowalski.
There are a handful of Republican-on-Republican races in the MatSu Valley, such as Districts 27, 28, and 30.
In the congressional race, Republican Nancy Dahlstrom dropped out to give Nick Begich a better chance of retiring Rep. Mary Peltola.
Ranked-choice voting was tested first in Alaska in 2022, and Republicans found that it split the donation base, the volunteers, hurt the unity among conservatives, and dragged down the momentum, as people became uncertain about who to trust with their vote, their dollars, and their time.
In 2024, the Alaska Republicans are showing they put their state before their ambitions, pulling together as a team behind one person.
Friday is the last day to in-person drop from the November ballot at the Division of Elections, although some candidates may try to drop electronically over the weekend, with a less-than-certain result. Labor Day is Monday and is also the final day to drop, but the Division of Elections is closed.
So happy to see the republicans finally getting the big picture. Thank you!
There is Hope !!
Except for House District 36 and Senate District R. Having Pamela Goode refuse to step down from the house race, and her husband James Squyres from the senate race, as well as them both shutting down comments on their several rural News and Info Facebook pages on important posts like of this article just 2 days ago. As Administrators, her and her husband James Squyres purposely keep their political opponents blocked. Not only is this disappointing, it’s disingenuous to the voters in House District 36 and Senate Distrct R.
Republicans starting to stay together, in the interest of defeating totalitarian, Left-wing, radical Democrats.
Amazing!
Till once elected and they switch sides…..
Ben, that’s a Lisa Murkowski trick. And we all know Lisa Murkowski is NOT a Republican.
Just looking at the candidates web sites I thought Pennington was the best candidate. She put forth some ideas rather than just repeat the party lines.
Me too, but Ill happily support Bauer!
So happy! That we can learn to beat the cheating machine! Sometimes, the old fashion ways of backing one candidate! Is the way to go! Regardless, joint efforts are needed when many issues are at stake!
Your summary reads as if “Dana Mock and Cole Crabgress” have decided to support Schwanke. You might want to wait for those candidates to indicate they are supporting Schwanke before announcing that they are. You may find that support for Schwanke outside of Juneau circles has been exaggerated to reflect the support she currently has inside Juneau circles.
Dana Mock and Cole (Snodgrass) have now withdrawn, leaving Schwanke and Goode as the two Republican candidates in District 36.
With the withdrawal of Mock, you now have only one candidate from Delta, which dominates that district geographically, and it isn’t Schwanke.
Exactly, and if Schwanke is another worthless Republican, then it is better she is defeated at all cost. Of the 3 alternatives, Goode was the leader and can consolidate Mock and Snodgrass votes. And easily defeat both Schwanke AND democrat Kowalski in that heavily Republican districts.
Bold statement. Have you talked to Rebecca?
Where is she from? There’s not much to her history. Alaska shenanigans again. Narrative.
Rs have pulled their heads out?
Finally!
Democrats figured out how to game Rank Choice Voting before it was first used in AK. Republicans had to clumsily learn by-guess and by-golly.
Republicans had a lot more viable candidates. It was kind of like that on the national level, too. We got to see many Republican presidential candidates, and they debated twice. Didn’t see anything like that on the Democrat side. In fact, Democrats haven’t really voted at all for a president yet this year.
“Democrats figured out how to game RCV” ?
They invented RCV to cheat – look at the Lee Ellis/Z.Fields scam pointed out in this article.
Dems didn’t have to “figure out” anything ….. they wrote the playbook
Disgraceful ….imo.
Thank you to the Republican candidates who are finally coming together in unity to defeat the evil. Praying for God Almighty’s blessings for every candidate who are still in the race and for those who stepped down.
Leo, I was able to speak with both Lucy Bauer and Brandy Pennington at a recent AMAC meeting and found both well qualified, articulate and knowledgeable about local issues. I liked them both. I’m sure Brandy will find another office to run for. In April, I have been told quite a few Anchorage Assmbly seats are up for grabs. We really need more conservatives who are/have been in the private business sector in this position. Too many now work for non-profits…not a good mix.
Anchorage better find some way to stall the Anchorage Assembly from removing the hydro dam before then.
We simply need a signature from Governor Dunleavy.
MRAK continually laments that the minority Republican Party no longer controls elections in Alaska.
Smoke another bowl Frank …. it’s Sunday.
Finally we get rid of the Republicans that only cared about themselves and the not the state.
Isn’t it sad that RCV doesn’t provide for a more robust and people’s choice oriented voting process?
Can’t wait to vote it down in November.
I would hope the republican party on the federal level is paying attention . When will they ever learn!
Millions of $ pouring in from “Outside” to support Ranked Choice Voting. Guess what party.
There used to be an old saying around
“ We don’t give a damn how you do it Outside”
Fits nicely here!
Unfortunately the “outsiders” have moved here and we let them vote; turning us back into an FDR, “colonist” Blue state; built on welfare.
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