Former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka has a big day on Thursday. She has already presented a robust defense before the Alaska Public Offices Commission against a host of allegations levied by Alaskans for Better Elections, a pro-ranked choice voting group. The commission staff dismissed all but one allegation, which it will take up on Thursday at 10:45 am by the quasi-judicial commission.
Meeting materials for the Alaska Public Offices Commission meeting are at this link.
The allegation focuses on the activities of Preserve Democracy, an organization led by Tshibaka.
The crux of the remaining allegation centers on language used on Preserve Democracy’s website, which was deemed a “prohibited expenditure” by the commission staff.
The website’s message advocated for election systems to be “easy to understand and accessible to everyone” and opposed the spread of ranked choice voting. This led to a recommended fine of $16,450.
Tshibaka, however, contends that the website’s content falls under constitutionally protected free speech, arguing that APOC’s regulatory authority is limited to expenditures related to direct voting advocacy on ballot measures or candidates.
Tshibaka’s defense highlights a recent case where APOC’s attorneys supported a similar stance before the Alaska Supreme Court, questioning APOC’s jurisdiction in this matter and asserting the violation of constitutional rights.
In a determined tone, Tshibaka expressed her readiness to escalate the issue to the Alaska US Supreme Court if APOC’s decision is unfavorable, emphasizing the duty of citizens to safeguard free speech from governmental overreach. This stance aligns with her broader political ethos, advocating for government accountability and citizen-led governance.
Also on Thursday, Tshibaka, together with her husband Niki Tshibaka, will launch a new podcast show titled “STAND.” Positioned as a platform where “courage becomes contagious,” the show aims to feature interviews with a variety of guests including national and local leaders, celebrities, authors, and entrepreneurs. The objective of STAND is to motivate and empower the audience to stand firm for freedom, truth, and a citizen-led government.
STAND is set for a weekly broadcast across multiple media platforms, including television, radio, and as a podcast on the internet. The inaugural episode features former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell, with subsequent episodes including interviews with prominent figures like Dr. Ben Carson and social media influencer Alex Bruesewitz. It can be downloaded from all the widely used podcast providers.
