At the first meeting of the Alaska Redistricting Board, well-known Alaska businessman, civic leader, and occasional political leader John Binkley of Fairbanks was elected chair.
The redistricting board is in charge of redrawing the political boundaries for Alaska after the 2020 election. In the background over recent weeks since the board was appointed, the members have been jockeying to see who had the votes to become the chair. Two of the members of the board represent rural Alaska Democrat interests, while the other three represent Fairbanks, Southeast Alaska, and South-central.
Binkley was nominated by board member Bethany Marcum, a move that surprised Nome member Melanie Bahnke. She immediately counter-nominated the other rural representative, Nicole Borromeo. The vote went for Binkley, three to two.
Judie Gauney / September 1, 2020
I love that photo of Binkley. Calming the waters, like Moses himself.
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Paul Geivette / September 1, 2020
Is he calming the waters, or parting them? He might try doing that at his newspaper, ADN.
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Ted / September 1, 2020
Binkley will have to gerrymander more Democrats into Giessel’s district.
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Charlie Bussell / September 2, 2020
Cathy Giessel has reached the dust bin of History..!!
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Charlie Bussell / September 2, 2020
The 3-2 vote may be the way things get settled….John has a thankless job with both sides of most issues unhappy with the outcome…
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Tom at the Bureau / September 2, 2020
Maybe Giessel can get a job working for John Binkley’s newspaper, ADN. Her column would be titled, “Queen Speak From The Dust Bin.”
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Plato / September 2, 2020
If Binkley, or his son, are planning on getting back into “occasional political leadership,” they should probably consider selling the ADN ASAP. Alaskans will never believe that brainwashing and hypnotic journalism is good 4U&ME.
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Lawrence / September 2, 2020
So the ADN gets to decide the districts?
Great. That will go over well. Well, this New class will be the last republican majority this state ever has. Good grief! Giessel screws us one last time on the way out the door. Not only are these sell out RINOs corrupt, they are as vindictive as all get out (Thompson et al). You can bet your assets that Von Imhoff will be working for the other team if she gets in.
I think if your choice is a back-stabbing Alaskan hating RINO, or a front-stabbing Alaskan hating Dem- might as well go with the one that attacks head on. They both hate us- but at least the latter have the modest amount of honor to tell you who they are up front. If the Dems were smart they would just drop that race. They are getting a twofer with Natasha Von Imhof.
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Mayor Dan / September 2, 2020
John Binkley is an honest and admirable man and he will do a good job for Alaska.
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Lawrence / September 3, 2020
He owns a publication that is about as far from those words you used to describe him, as could be mathematically possible..go figure why some of us are so skeptical.. If he wants to really help Alaska, he might try something novel; make sure that his newspaper reported the news and told the truth. That would be a great first step. As it stands it’s essentially a propaganda machine for the AK Democrat Party.
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Martin / September 3, 2020
I agree.
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Tim Spurgeon / September 3, 2020
Agree with Lawrence 100%.
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Melanie Bahnke / September 3, 2020
Please correct your article, I am not a democrat. Also, I had asked you to correct your previous article about me because it incorrectly states that I am a leader in the Recall Dunleavy effort. I am not. I see you still haven’t made that correction. I expect your readers want to know the facts, so please make these corrections.
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Naomi / September 4, 2020
Melanie,
Did you sign the Recall Dunleavy petition? Simple yes or no answer, please. What affiliation are you registered to vote? Simple answer, please. We Alaskans can make up our own minds based on the facts. Thank you.
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ChrissyB / September 5, 2020
Answer to above questions by Naomi:
1. YES.
2. INDEPENDENT (meaning Democrat).
ps. Melanie doesn’t respond to difficult questions. Mr. Binkley, please take note.
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