By LOREN LEMAN
During my 18 years in elected office in Alaska, 10 were spent representing Elmendorf Air Force Base, now part of JBER, in the Alaska Senate. Those were some of the best years of my life. My wife and I met some of the finest, most patriotic, and bravest people we know. Our children accompanied us to air shows and other events where they were welcome. Some of these friends went to church with us.
Perhaps it should not have been a surprise that after our son observed and interacted with these men and women, he decided he wanted to attend a military academy and serve our country. He is still living that dream.
You can imagine the shock and pain I felt last week when I heard a radio ad that totally misrepresents how our military and veterans are treated as voters. I more recently saw the same deceptive message in print. Maybe you too have seen or heard this false advertising.
I will respond as clearly as I know how. No political party nor the Division of Elections has ever required a voter to register with a political party to vote in Alaska’s primary—and that won’t change. If Ballot Measure 2 passes, Alaska’s voting will revert to what it was before. Voters will be able to choose their primary ballot. The disastrous and confusing Ranked Choice Voting for the general election will be repealed.
We Alaskans need to understand what is happening. Wealthy global elites are playing in Alaska’s political sandbox. They did it in 2020 with the deceitful initiative they sold with the false premise, “This will get rid of dark money.” It hasn’t. In fact, there’s more dark money flowing into Alaska elections than ever before. The three largest contributors to No on 2 are Unite America, Action Now Initiative, and Final Five Fund. Have you ever hear of them? Probably not. But their campaign has raised more than $7.8 million to do their dirty work.
With their money, the No on 2 campaign is using our active military, retired veterans, firefighters and other first responders, people we love and respect, and invents things about how they are treated that are just not true. It’s hurtful. It’s shameful. It’s also against the law. We have asked them to stop—but so far they just flaunt their money and keep telling their lies.
These groups and others like the 907 Initiative, Sixteen Thirty Fund, Arabella Advisors, and more are investing big money in Alaska to influence public opinion and work against our state’s best interests. They don’t really care about those of us who live and work here.
The motto engraved on the Honor Wall at the Air Force Academy says, “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.” Other service academies do the same. The No on 2 campaign and its funders would do well to apply this principle.
If you want to know more about Ballot Measure 2, why I’m voting for it, and how you can support it, please visit www.Yeson2ak.com. Alaska elections are worth saving.
Loren Leman is an engineer, fisherman, and 18-year elected official in Alaska, including serving as lieutenant governor. He serves on several local, State and federal boards and commissions and is volunteering on the Yes on 2 campaign.
