Page 1645 – Must Read Alaska

Bright, shiny objects: Inauguration tickets, internships

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November 12, 2016

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Alaskans interested in taking part in the events surrounding the swearing in of Donald Trump as president can follow this link to the home page of Sen. Lisa Murkowski. In the past, Alaska-specific galas have been held and that is likely to be the case for the 58th presidential inauguration, although plans haven’t been announced.

Fill out the form at Sen. Murkowski’s official web site and your name will be entered into a lottery. To request a ticket you must be an Alaska resident and be able to pick the tickets up in person on Jan. 18-19. Tickets cannot be mailed.

Must Read has learned that a couple of hundred people have already logged onto the site and filled out the form.

A complete list of inaugural events is at this link.

PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR ALASKA INAUGURAL GALA

The Alaska Republican Party reports it is in planning stages for an inaugural gala in early January. The tentative date is Jan. 7 in Anchorage, although it’s expected that galas and balls will be held in other communities as well.

INTERNS SOUGHT FOR SEN. SULLIVAN’S OFFICE

Are you a freshly minted college graduate looking for a step upin your professional career? Senator Dan Sullivan is taking applications for interns to join his Washington, D.C. office, starting in the spring. Learn more and beat the Nov. 30 deadline at: sullivan.senate.gov/services/internships

Don Young’s amazing win record: 2.9 million votes

The 907

Suzanne Downing

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November 12, 2016

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Don Young’s amazing win record: 2.9 million votes

Don Young won his first full congressional term back in 1974, with 51,641 votes. Since then, it’s been nothing but net for the longest-serving Republican in Congress.

In fact, since 1974 Young has chaulked up 2,961,632 general election votes from Alaskans, averaging 59.4 percent of the votes across the 23 times he has competed for his seat.

The list of people Young has beat in general elections could populate a small Alaska town of also-ran, ultra-liberals: Emil Notti, Willie Hensley, Eben Hopson, Pat Rodey, Kevin Parnell, Dave Carlson, Pegge Begich, Peter Gruenstein, John Devens (twice), Tony Smith, Georgiana Lincoln, Jim Duncan, Clifford Mark Greene, Thomas Higgins, Diane Benson, Ethan Berkowitz, Harry Crawford, Forrest Dunbar, and Steve Lindbeck. Also, a couple of dozen third-party candidates made valiant efforts across many of those years.

In 1984 and 1986, Young defeated Pegge Begich, 113,582 to 86,052, and 101,799 to 74,053 respectively.

In 1988 he beat Peter Gruenstein with 120,595.

In 1990 and 1992, he defeated then-Mayor of Valdez John Devens, 99,003 to 91,677 and 111,849 to 102,378.

Fast forward to 2010, when he beat down Harry Crawford in the general election, 175,384 to 77,606.

In 2012, Young defeated State Rep. Sharon Cissna, 185,296 to 82,927.

In 2014, he cut down Forrest Dunbar, 142,572 to 114,602.

And in 2016 he had a four-way race, but 125,729 Alaskans stuck with him, for more than 50 percent of the vote, to Lindbeck’s 90,784.

Since 2002, Young has been the top-getting vote goliath for statewide races.

And although contenders keep saying he’s too old to serve, or from another era, we take the Mark Twain view: News of Don Young’s fading glory is greatly exaggerated.

Rather, he seems to have run one of the best campaigns of his career this year, hitting the stride just right and keeping it positive to the very end.

Some pollsters just could not shoot straight, however.

Just three weeks prior to Nov. 8’s General Election, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) had a poll that said Democratic challenger Steve Lindbeck was within two points of Rep. Young — 39 to 37 percent.

Lindbeck was on the attack with negative ads aimed at showing Young as not looking out for Alaskans and being calloused.

Pundits from the Alaska Left predicted that Lindback had a real shot at victory, but the tale of the tape went the other way: Young won 125,729 to Lindbeck’s 90,784, or 50 percent vs. 36 percent.

The Libertarian in the race, Jim McDermott, drained away 10 percent of Young’s likely voters, doubling his percentage points since he first ran for the seat in 2012.

Juneau hospital offers counseling for post-election

Suzanne Downing

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November 11, 2016

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Half of the country was able to envision a world where Hillary Clinton was president, and they were not about to protest or beat their chests if that result occurred on Nov. 8.

The other half evidently cannot envision a world where Donald Trump is president.

Juneau, a strong Democratic Party territory, may be struggling with the election results more than most. Bartlett Memorial Hospital is offering free counseling to all City and Borough of Juneau employees if they are depressed after the election. The memo from the city’s wellness coordinator reads:

From: Jess Brown

Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 2:13 PM

Subject: Employee Assistance Program reminder

Now that the 2016 Presidential Election has ended, many of you may have deep feelings about the results.

I wanted to take this time to remind you that CBJ has a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL Employee Assistance Program for all employees.

Please consider calling if you feel this would be beneficial for you. Your personal information is not shared with anyone, you can speak with a counselor on the phone 24/7 or arrange to meet with a local counselor for up to 6 free sessions with this service.

ComPsych Guidance Resources

800.295.9059 toll free

Our employee code is CITYJEAP2

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

This is not a joke. Can you imagine the hospital offering counseling for conservatives if Hillary had prevailed?

Precious snowflakes are melting by the thousands. Hundreds of high school students in Seattle staged protest walk-outs Wednesday in protest of Trump’s victory. They chanted, “Let’s Dump Donald Trump” and “F— Donald Trump.”

Across the nation, students petitioned to have classes canceled. Loyola University in New Orleans, Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland saw hundreds of signatures gathered on such petitions, and at Yale University, professors made exams optional after receiving notes from depressed students. Who knew that there is yet another good reason to cancel classes!

The University of Maryland also postponed exams and in Boston, the school district sent letters to parents and students saying counselors were available. Cornell University students held a “cry-in,” and at the University of Washington professors cancelled classes so students could process what had just happened.

At Claremont College in California the dean of students sent a note out telling professors to be sensitive to students who were traumatized by the election results.

Meanwhile, in Anchorage, the Alaska Republican Party is preparing for an inaugural gala in early January. The official inauguration is Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.

By then, psychologists and college administrators can only hope that classes will have resumed and the precious snowflakes have pulled themselves together. Otherwise, it will be a long winter of their discontent.

Interior Secretary Palin? Lucas? Grady?

Suzanne Downing

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November 10, 2016

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Oh to be a fly on the wall during President-elect Donald Trump’s team meetings on who will populate his cabinet when he is sworn into office on Jan. 20.

Some cabinet positions are more interesting than others to Alaskans. Take the Interior Department, for instance.

Conservatives have been harsh critics of both the current Interior Secretary, Sally Jewel, and her predecessor, Ken Salazar, both who favored turning federal lands into preserves, and were anti-development.

Forrest Lucas, who with his wife Charlotte founded Lucas Oil in 1989, is a top name being considered, according to insiders. Lucas is solidly pro-oil and would send the environmental protection industry into a panic. Lucas, who is 74, also founded a nonprofit called Protect the Harvest, which promotes farming, hunting and ranching, and is the nemesis of various animal-rights groups.

Lucas started out as a trucker, has never gone to college, and is quoted the Indianapolis Business Journal that one of his philosophies in business is to “work yourself to death.” He has never met Trump in person.

Also being talked about for Interior is Robert Grady, a partner at Gryphon Investors, a private equity fund. Prior to Gryphon, Grady was a major partner at the Carlyle Group, which is owned by the husband of Alice Rogoff, publisher of the Alaska Dispatch News.

Donald Trump Jr. is another name in the mix. He was quoted earlier this year saying, “The biggest family joke that we all had over the holidays was that the only job in government that I would actually want would be in the Department of the Interior.”

Meanwhile, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has made it clear that she is interested in the job, and she spent weeks leading up to the Nov. 8 General Election stumping for Trump in states such as Michigan, Michigan, North Carolina, and New York.

Rounding out the possibilities are others with Western state credentials: former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer; Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin; Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis; and Oklahoma oil entrepreneur Harold Hamm.

Hamm pioneered the development of the large shale oil finds of the Bakken formation and is ranked at the 39th richest person in the nation by Forbes Magazine. He was mentioned by then-presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012 as his likely pick for Energy Secretary.

screen-shot-2016-11-10-at-12-03-40-pm — *David Bernhardt is lead Trump transition team player for vetting candidates for the Department of Interior positions.*

Looking for post with the new Trump Administration? David Bernhardt of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is the Trump transition team’s lead dog for the Interior Department.

Bernhardt is a lobbyist who co-chairs his company’s natural resources portfolio. He was the Interior Department’s solicitor, deputy solicitor, deputy chief of staff, and counselor to the secretary of the Interior. He was also director of the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs under President George W. Bush.

A native of Rifle, Colorado, Bernhardt was appointed to the U.S.-Canada International Boundary Commission in 2007.

He has a bachelor’s degree from University of Northern Colorado and a law degree from George Washington University Law School.

According to his company’s web site, he has recently represented:

The Nation’s largest federal water contractor in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Endangered Species Act litigation involving the Bay-Delta in California, a case widely considered one of the most complex Endangered Species litigation cases in the country.
A national trade association in Federal District Court interested in defending the U.S. government’s decision to proceed with an offshore lease sale under the Outer-Continental Shelf Lands Act.
An entity challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for violating the Endangered Species Act in Federal District Court.
Alternative energy developers involved in projects seeking to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management, the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
An electric transmission facilities developer that crosses lands in federal jurisdiction.
Mining companies who intend to develop potash or copper resources on private, state and Federal lands.
A mining company undergoing an audit regarding royalty payments.
An entity under investigation by a Federal Agency.
An entity involved in energy development on Indian lands.
Entities accused of violating the Department of the Interior’s regulations.

House organizes: Dems in driver’s seat

Suzanne Downing

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November 10, 2016

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screen-shot-2016-11-09-at-3-19-17-pm — *Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, east Anchorage, has organized with the Democrats.*

A statement from a new House majority indicates the House will go Democrat, with the help of three Republicans who have thrown in with what was the Democratic minority: Gabrielle LeDoux, East Anchorage; Louise Stutes, Kodiak; and Paul Seaton, Homer.

Bryce Edgemon, a Democrat from Western Alaska, is House Speaker and Neal Foster-D and Paul Seaton-Musk Ox R, are co-chairs of Finance.

LeDoux will be Rules chair, and Stutes is majority whip. Les Gara is vice chair of Finance while Chris Tuck is Majority leader.

The Independent-Democrats’ House Minority Press Secretary has also been given a new role: House Majority Press Secretary.

The 18-member House Republican minority will now be the position to demand budget cuts before the Democratic majority can reach its hands into the constitutional budget reserve or enact taxes. Several observers say that it will be just as difficult for the Democrat-led coalition to lead as it was for the Republican one, during tough fiscal times.

Alaska Republican Party Chairman Tuckerman Babcock said he is ready to look for Republican candidates to challenge incumbents LeDoux, Stutes, and Seaton in the next election cycle.

Senate leaders organize: Pete Kelly is President

Suzanne Downing

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November 9, 2016

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screen-shot-2016-11-09-at-1-11-19-pm — *Sens. Peter Micciche, Pete Kelly, and Anna MacKinnon*

News from sources familiar with leadership meetings underway with the Alaska Senate tell us that Pete Kelly is the new Senate President.

Chairmanships are as follows:

Majority Leader – Peter Micciche
Rules – Kevin Meyer
Finance – Anna MacKinnon (capital) and Lyman Hoffman (operating)
Natural Resources – Cathy Giessel
Judiciary – John Coghill
Health and Social Services – David Wilson
State Affairs – Mike Dunleavy
Community and Regional Affairs – Click Bishop
Legislative Budget and Audit – Gary Stevens
Labor and Commerce – Mia Costello
Transportation – Bert Stedman,
Education – Shelley Hughes
Finance Committee: MacKinnon, Hoffman, Bishop, Micciche, Dunleavy, Von Imhoff

What just happened? Conservative mandate

Suzanne Downing

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November 9, 2016

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cathytilton_point-blank-invite_20161019 — Rep. Cathy Tilton, District 12 conservative, retained her seat with 66 percent of the votes cast.

Nov. 8, 2016 came and went, and was a big night for conservatives in America:

They overcame a media that was “all-in” for the Clintons. They won three more governorships, bringing the total to 33 Republican governors.
Republicans took the majority in the Iowa Senate and Kentucky House. New York Republicans took the Senate.
Republicans retained control of the Maine Senate, Minnesota House, North Carolina House, and Washington Senate.
Republicans increased their majorities in Indiana’s Senate, Michigan’s House, New Hampshire’s Senate, Ohio’s Senate and House, West Virginia’s Senate, and Wisconsin’s Senate.

In Alaska, voters gave a decisive victory for conservative leadership: Senator Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young retained their seats handily. Murkowski won with a 15 percent margin in a ticket that had conservative powerhouse Joe Miller running as a Libertarian. Miller drained off nearly 30 percent of the votes cast, but Murkowsi won with 44 percent in a race that had six candidates on the general election ballot. Margaret Stock, an independent, could not do better than 13.75 percent.

Rep. Don Young won with a 14 percent margin. His challenger Steve Lindbeck’s vote total closely tracked those being cast for Hillary Clinton during the long night when politicos waited patiently for the Division of Elections to release results. In other words, people who voted for Hillary also voted for Lindbeck.

Of the statewide candidate, Young has always received the most votes since 2002. With this election, he becomes the second-longest-serving member of the House, and the longest serving Republican in the House.

Young is close with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, and can use his role as Dean of the House Republicans to help educate the president-elect about what is important in Alaska. Rep. Young will be serving under his ninth president.

With Murkowski winning and a Republican-controlled U.S. Senate, she increases her influence and will continue to negotiate energy policy as chair of the Energy Committee, but now has a better chance of helping Alaska with a Republican president. Presumably, the new president will not hold against her the fact that she withdrew her support for him with just weeks to go before the election.

Alaskans also voted for Donald Trump by a 15 percent margin.

At the state level, Republicans retained control of the Senate, in spite of massive spending by Democrats and union-fueled groups to unseat Sens. John Coghill and Cathy Giessel. With freshman senator-elect David Wilson, Republicans won all three open seats.

Republicans retained control of the state House, 21-19. Although Democrats tried to plug themselves in as independents in a number of races and Republicans were outspent, but retained eight open Republican seats, losing none.

Two incumbent Republicans were defeated. One, Rep. Liz Vazquez, was defeated by Jason Grenn, a once-Republican who ran as a non-aligned candidate, with the backing of big-union dollars.

The other, Juneau Rep. Cathy Munoz, was defeated by radical Democrat Justin Parish, after the Juneau Empire manufactured a series of political hit pieces on Munoz, which took their toll on the moderate Republican. Parish is a Les Gara-style Democrat.

Overall, Gov. Bill Walker, who worked hard to get a Democratic majority in the House and to disrupt the Senate with union boss Vince Beltrami, picked up Representative-elect Dean Westlake of Kotzebue, Justin Parish of Juneau, and possibly Jason Grenn of Anchorage, although the jury is still out on whether Grenn will fall under Walker’s spell. Walker picked up not a single seats in the Senate.

Mid-day after: Front pages of America

Politics

Suzanne Downing

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November 9, 2016

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A mid-day snapshot of the nation’s newspapers on Nov. 9 shows the wide range of coverage to the Donald Trump victory.

FEC accepts Alaska GOP complaint against Joe Miller

Suzanne Downing

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November 8, 2016

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new-miller-mailer — Newest Joe Miller mailer, dated Nov. 5, has a ballpoint pen edit to the legal disclaimer. The mailer is from leftover, discarded material from the 2010 elections. The return address on the opposite side is the old Republican headquarters address on Fireweed Lane, which has been razed.

The Alaska Republican Party received notice today that the Federal Elections Commission has accepted its complaint against Libertarian candidate Joe Miller for his unauthorized use of old election postcards that somehow got into the possession of the Miller campaign.

The postcards were left over from the 2010 election, when Miller received the primary Republican nomination, but was beat in the November general election by Lisa Murkowski’s campaign. Murkowski ran as a write-in Republican.

“In accepting the complaint, the FEC Office of General Counsel acknowledges there is a potential violation within the jurisdiction of the FEC and the complaint was proper,” said Stacey Stone, Alaska Republican Party legal counsel.

Tuckerman Babcock, Alaska Republican Party chairman, said he plans on amending the complaint to include additional offenses related to other mailers that have since surfaced.

“Unfortunately, Joe Miller’s campaign continued to break the law even when he knew that complaint was filed. The decision to use old Republican party mailers from 2010 to manipulate and mislead Alaskan voters, was not authorized by the party and we believe is a clear violation of election law,” he said.

The Miller campaign must file a formal response to the GOP complaint within 15 days.

In a separate complaint, District 18 Republicans from midtown and Spenard in Anchorage, lost their lawsuit against the State of Alaska’s strict campaign contribution limits.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess wrote in his decision that limits on campaign contributions do not infringe on free speech or equal protection rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Bright, shiny objects: Inauguration tickets, internships

PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR ALASKA INAUGURAL GALA

INTERNS SOUGHT FOR SEN. SULLIVAN’S OFFICE

Don Young’s amazing win record: 2.9 million votes

Juneau hospital offers counseling for post-election

Interior Secretary Palin? Lucas? Grady?

House organizes: Dems in driver’s seat

Senate leaders organize: Pete Kelly is President

What just happened? Conservative mandate

Mid-day after: Front pages of America

FEC accepts Alaska GOP complaint against Joe Miller

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