With the upcoming April 1 municipal election, union contributions to Anchorage Assembly and School Board races are worth taking a look at. Organized labor, and more specifically the public employee unions, are historically one of the most influential special interests in local politics.
In this election, there were a reported $35,500 in union donations to candidates, as of March 1. The next financial disclosure report is due March 25.
The Anchorage Assembly, which has the final say in approving union contracts, oversees agreements that commit taxpayers to wage, benefit, and other cost increases for up to five years.
Currently, more than half (55%) of the city’s budget is allocated to salaries and benefits, while 58% of municipal revenue is derived from property taxes.
Union donations play a significant role in the campaigns of Assembly candidates.
- Kameron Perez-Verdia has received $10,000 from unions this election cycle. Over the course of his Assembly campaigns, unions have contributed a total of $43,600 to his campaigns.
- Daniel Volland has received $8,000 in union support this election, in addition to $2,000 from a previous campaign. The Alaska AFL-CIO has further contributed $2,500 to his campaign through its special interest group, “Putting Alaskans First.”
- The AFL-CIO has also funneled $5,000 to “Putting Alaskans First” to oppose Jared Goecker, who is running for the open Eagle River Assembly seat.
Unions have also directed funds toward Anchorage School Board candidates, continuing their pattern of financial support for big-spending Democrat incumbents:
- Margot Bellamy, seeking re-election, has received $5,000 from unions this year. Over the years, unions have contributed a total of $25,550 to her campaigns.
- Kelly Lessens has received $5,500 from unions in this election cycle, adding to a total of $26,800 in union support across her political career.
Organized labor remains the largest special interest group contributing to local elections in Alaska. The financial influence of unions on Anchorage Assembly and School Board races raises ongoing questions about the balance of power between elected officials, labor groups, and taxpayers.
Because union contracts representing a significant portion of municipal expenditures, voters will have to consider the role of these contributions and how they influence their elected officials.
Additional financial disclosures due on March 25 will provide further insights into the extent of union influence in the 2025 race.
Browse through the contributions here:
Success doesn’t show up for April elections. The class warfare waged by these unions against success is no different than a king and servant relationship. The king rigs the election and his peasants vote. All he needs to do is convince them they aren’t being treated fairly. An easy gig. Ask Bernie Sanders.
It’s a never ending vicious cycle. A self-licking ice cream cone. Unions collect dues from city workers, who then donate to Assembly candidates, who when elected vote to give the union workers generous compensation.
And the cycle repeats itself over and over. Union workers literally vote for their own paychecks. The Assembly and the unions are both on the same side of the negotiating table. Meanwhile NO ONE is representing the residents of Anchorage.
Tax money and public service unions have no place being together. This is an outright theft of tax money that is used against the tax payer to perpetuate the socialist agenda of the unions. Abolish all the “public service” unions. Anchorage, look at what they have given you: A city council full of degenerate dictators. Wake up and smell the corruption.
So… who to write-in Assembly 3-D and School Board A
You have a good candidate already on the ballot for School Board A – Alexander Rosales, good conservative.
If people really cared they would vote. Every city election there are less than 30% that vote. If you own property or
don’t like the decisions that are made you have to vote. Obviously enough conservatives don’t care!
Right there.
That is the problem, people just do not pay attention to local politics. Despite the fact that the Mayor and Assembly can make your day to day life much worse than the people in DC can, people still just do not pay attention.
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Ask your neighbor if they can name their representative on the Assembly? I will bet 7 out of 10 cannot.
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And, the Assembly knows this, and takes advantage of it. Why do you think the Muni elections are in April? Why do you think they went 100% mail in? Because they know the average person is just not going to bother voting.
So, unions can support who the members want.
Historically, it has not been the membership that is being represented by the unions in these political endeavors. The upper management of the unions are protecting their fat paychecks using membership money.
EXACTLY! And it’s pathetic!
Public sector unions are anathema, a curse on the population of the cities in which they exist. That they win big pay raises form their employees is a myth. They take money out of the employees paychecks and then pay themselves to put on a big show about how hard they fought to get them their next raise or benefit.
In reality, the Union shills win nothing for the employees, but they win favor among the politicos. I went through a vote to organize in Fairbanks in the mid-80s. I was one of 9 to vote against joining APEA. After a year, most of the 28 people in that particular group saw zero benefit from the relationship, but they also saw the new deduction on their pay stub every two weeks.
I eventually let my feet vote and have been in the private sector ever since.
There is a reason why Union states and union businesses struggle to be profitable
I generally drive by the IBEW offices on Denali St. to find out what candidates I need to vote against. Now, I have yet another place to get good information on the candidates to avoid.
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Good article, thanks!
Many many years ago I was forced to join ASEA as a condition of employment with the State of Alaska. I went to their offices on Spenard Rd and saw the place was plastered with dozens and dozens of election posters from over the years. Every single poster was from a Democrat.