According to long-time politicos, people have rarely seen such a big fundraiser for Anchorage Assembly candidates as they did on Monday night at the Main Event, off of Old Seward Highway at 76th Ave.
More than 150 people crowded into the Mardi Gras party for five candidates who hope to bring reason and balance back to the Anchorage Assembly — Stephanie Taylor, Kathy Henslee, Randy Sulte, Kevin Cross, and Liz Vazquez. The mood was festive, the room was loud, and several people came dressed in Mardi Gras costumes. Sources said $40,000 was raised between the five candidates, the event organizers said.
Emcees Rick Green and Dave Stieren introduced the candidates and ran a Jeopardy-style game show program with them, with questions such as, “Which Assembly member says he is not a Democrat but records show he only has donated to Democrats?” The answer, easily given by candidate Randy Sulte was Assemblyman John Weddleton, who represents south Anchorage, District 6, Seat J.
Assemblywoman Jamie Allard of Eagle River said she hopes to get some help on the Assembly. She has served as nearly the lone voice for conservatives for the past two years.
She pointed out the qualities that each of the five candidates would bring to the Assembly: Integrity, ethics, legal background, judgment, listening to the people of Anchorage, and working on issues that matter in an reasonable way.
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson attended and spoke. Also spotted in the crowd were congressional candidate Nick Begich and State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock, School Board member Dave Donley, and school board candidates Rachel Ries and Mark Anthony Cox.
