Alaskans in Southcentral dusted off their tuxedos and gowns and traipsed through the deep snow to the Dena’ina Convention Center for the second inaugural ball for Gov. Mike Dunleavy in Anchorage on Saturday evening.
Among legends and luminaries at the event were Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, former Rep. Dick Randolph, former Sen. Willie Hensley, and U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, whose husband, Gene Peltola, was one of the inaugural ball sponsors as he continues to launch his consulting company that is trying to get a piece of the carbon credit market in Alaska. Must Read Alaska did not see either of the U.S. senators for Alaska at the event.
Former Miss America Emma Broyles lit up the room with her rendition of the National Anthem, and Gov. Dunleavy presented a $15,000 check from the inaugural committee to Special Olympics in honor of Broyles, who had made her mission to support Special Olympics, and in honor of his former Chief of Staff, the late State Sen. Ben Stevens. The governor talked at length about Stevens and how he didn’t follow in his father U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens’ footsteps, but forged his own pathway, and was a great man in his own right. Dunleavy gave a nod to Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, and hinted that she may be a candidate for governor in 2026.
Must Read Alaska noted the presence of Wasilla Rep. and House Speaker Cathy Tilton, Nome Rep. Neal Foster, CEO of Maniilaq Association Tim and Alisa Gilbert, Bernadette Wilson of Americans for Prosperity, Yolanda Clary, Forrest Wolfe, Jessica Nicole, Matt and Laurie Fagnani; Sarah Erkmann Ward, Lorne and Rina Bretz, former Lt. Gov. Loren and Carolyn Leman, former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, Sen. David and Aleta Wilson; Mayor Dave and Deb Bronson, Attorney General Treg and Jody Taylor, Republican National Committeewoman Cynthia and Ken Henry, Lindsey Williams, Portia Erickson, Sarah Hetemi, former Rep. Sara Rasmussen, Sen. Dan Sullivan State Director Chad Padgett, Jim Egan, Matt Schuckerow, and Art Hackney.
Also, Dunleavy Chief of Staff Tyson Gallagher, Nick and Dharna Begich, Elizabeth Stevens, Dan and Roberta Zipay, Fairbanks Republicans Cheryl Markwood and Seth Church, Anchorage Assemblyman Randy and Heather Sulte, Rick Green (Rydell), Anchorage Republican Women’s Club President Judy and Randy Eledge, former Rep. John Lincoln, Anchorage Assembly candidate Leigh and Jake Sloan, Rep. Dan Saddler, Steve Johnson, Mike Robbins, Jason and Carmela Warfield, and Fairbanks’ Babara Haney.
Although some legislators were not in attendance, many did attend the inaugural ball in Juneau on Jan. 20.
John Binkley, a former state senator and longtime Fairbanks businessman whose son is the majority owner of the Anchorage Daily News, was the emcee. When Dunleavy was introduced and went up to the stage, there were fireworks shooting straight up from pyrotechnic devices. One of them would not shut off, no matter how much the technician pushed the stop button, but Dunleavy busted up the crowd by joking that all that was needed now was a balloon to float into the room.
Alaskans for Honest Elections, working repeal ranked choice voting, had someone moving through the crowd trying to get signatures for the petition which needs 26,000 signatures on it before next year.
Read: Inaugural Ball in Juneau was a success
