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Election Day in Alaska: October 7th Local Elections Will Shape Our Communities 

Brenda Josephson
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Election Day in Alaska: October 7th Local Elections Will Shape Our Communities 

October 7th is a big, beautiful day for democracy as municipalities across Alaska hold elections for mayors, assembly members, city councils, school boards, and propositions related to taxes, education, and infrastructure. Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) elections for school boards are also taking place today. 

These municipal elections empower everyday Alaskans to guide education, infrastructure, and local services. Now is the last day to head to the polls to help build the stronger communities we deserve. It is time for Alaskans to make their voices heard together! 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough is conducting elections for assembly seats, school board seats, and service area board seats. Voters will also decide on propositions regarding voting methods, recreation, tax exemptions, sales tax, and election timing. In Homer, three council seats are up for election. Kenai is selecting a mayor and council members. Meanwhile, Kodiak Island Borough is holding a vote for a mayor and two assembly seats. 

Palmer is electing a mayor along with three council seats. Wasilla is filling three council seats, while Houston is also selecting council members.  

Fairbanks North Star Borough is electing three assembly seats and two school board seats. The City of Fairbanks will be filling the position of mayor and two council seats, while North Pole also has council seats on the ballot. 

Juneau is voting on three assembly seats, three school board seats, and three propositions regarding property tax caps, sales tax exemptions, and seasonal rates. Meanwhile, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan are holding elections for a mayor, three assembly seats, two school board seats, and a proposition related to school capital taxes.  

Haines is filling two assembly seats, two planning commission seats, two school board seats, and a seasonal sales tax proposition. Skagway is electing a mayor, three assembly seats, two school board seats, and a sales tax proposition. Wrangell is choosing assembly seats and school board seats. Sitka is electing two assembly seats, two school board seats, and propositions on hospital funds and economic studies. 

Aleutians East Borough is voting on three assembly seats and three school board seats. Bristol Bay Borough has openings for assembly and school board seats. Bethel is electing four council seats. Dillingham is electing two council members and three school board members. Lake and Peninsula Borough will be filling two assembly seats and two school board seats.  

The Northwest Arctic Borough is electing members for the assembly and school boards. Unalaska is holding elections for various municipal positions. Nome is electing a mayor, two council members, two utility board members, and two school board members. Whittier is voting on three council seats. 

The Alaska Division of Elections is currently overseeing the REAA election for school board seats in rural areas within the unorganized borough. This includes regions such as the Aleutian Islands, Lower Yukon, Holy Cross, Lake Minchumina, Shageluk, Ruby, Koyukuk, Minto, Arctic Village, Fort Yukon, Northway, and Tok. But not all of these areas have contested seats on the ballot this year. 

Voting in Alaska’s local elections is essential because it directly influences the services and policies that affect daily life, including schools, roads, taxes, and community projects. Just a handful of votes has decided many local elections. Each vote holds power in determining leadership and shaping resource allocation for our communities. 

Don’t let low turnout decide our future, get to the polls today and make your mark for stronger schools, better roads, and thriving communities across Alaska! 

Your vote counts! 

Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Trump Revives Ambler Road Project, Sparking Renewed Debate Over Alaska’s Minerals and Wilderness

Jon Faulkner
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Trump Revives Ambler Road Project, Sparking Renewed Debate Over Alaska’s Minerals and Wilderness

WASHINGTON—In a swift move signaling a break from Biden-era energy and mining development, President Trump yesterday approved the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority’s (AIDEA) appeal to advance the long-stalled Ambler Road Project. The action overturned the Biden administration’s 2024 rejection of the project and reignites familiar controversy over balancing U.S.-based mineral production with environmental objections.

The 211-mile industrial road, first proposed fifteen years ago by AIDEA to connect the Dalton Highway to the remote Ambler Mining District in northwest Alaska, promises to unlock vast deposits of copper, zinc, cobalt, gallium, and other critical minerals essential for national security and green energy technologies. Without U.S.-based mines, many argue, domestic demand for minerals becomes overly dependent on foreign supply chains, which only add to global environmental woes.  Dubbed one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-zinc belts, the district holds over 1,700 active mining claims; but its isolation—accessible only by air or winter ice roads—has long hindered development. Proponents, including Alaska’s mining industry, argue the road is vital for domestic manufacturing, projecting 2,730 construction jobs, $1.1 billion in state revenues from taxes and royalties, and a boost to rural economies battered by high costs and limited opportunities.

Yet the project’s history is marred by protracted legal battles and deep divisions. Since AIDEA’s initial right-of-way application in 2018, environmental groups and several Native communities have fought it, citing irreversible harm to caribou migration routes, salmon streams, and sacred lands in the Brooks Range. The proposed route skirts the southern edge of Gates of the Arctic National Park and crosses sensitive wetlands that support subsistence activities for northern villagers who rely on hunting and fishing. In May 2024, NANA Regional Corporation, representing Northwest Alaska’s Iñupiat shareholders, severed ties with the project, citing issues with AIDEA’s management and warning of cultural harm. Earthworks and the Sierra Club warned against a “disastrous industrial corridor” that could fragment wildlife habitats and pollute rivers, urging President Biden to reject it—a plea he heeded in April 2024 by halting the issuance of federal permits.

Trump’s decision, framed as a cornerstone of his “energy dominance agenda,” directs the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reissue permits, deeming the road to be “in the public interest” with no viable alternatives. It builds on executive actions taken since his January 2025 inauguration: an order unleashing Alaska’s resources; streamlined permitting that reduced approval times; a March mandate to accelerate critical mineral production; an April Section 232 order to review import risks; and a June memo curbing bureaucratic overlap.

Reactions poured in swiftly. Alaska Republicans and miners celebrated, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy calling it “a win for working families.” Congressman Nick Begich, who has consistently favored the project, referred to the  Ambler Mining District  as “a strategic asset for Alaska and an important pathway to critical mineral development in the United States.” He described President Trump’s decision to grant AIDEA’s appeal as “a historic day for Alaska’s self-determination and will get Ambler access back on track.”

 NANA reiterated opposition, vowing legal challenges, while Cooper Freeman, Alaska Director for the Center for Biological Diversity, echoed the sentiments of the Sierra Club and others: “This private mining road” he said in a written statement to MRAK, “would threaten millions of wild acres in the Arctic, and ramming this project through is a slap in the face to everyone who’s spoken out about its harms. The caribou herds migrating through this wilderness can’t take any more obstacles.”

 Accompanying the Ambler Road action was an announcement that the U.S. government would make a $35.6 million investment in Trilogy Metals, securing a 10% stake plus warrants for 7.5% more, to fund exploration in the district. Trilogy, a key player, hailed it as a “game-changer” for U.S. competitiveness against China.

A Fact Sheet from the White House announcement can be seen here.

As permitting enters a fast-track phase, the Ambler Road project reflects a growing dilemma: How will America harness mineral riches without eroding the heart of our wilderness? With litigation sure to follow, this question will require both sides of the issue to make their best case to the state and to the nation.

Greg Sarber: Will Conservatives Turn Out for Tomorrow’s Local Elections?

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Greg Sarber: Will Conservatives Turn Out for Tomorrow’s Local Elections?

By Greg Sarber

Scott Pressler, a Republican political activist and specialist in voter outreach, has made an ominous warning about voter apathy in the local and state elections this year. He is concerned that conservative voters will not be motivated after the big turnout for President Trump last November and will fail to show up at the polls. Historic voting patterns in Alaska tend to validate his concerns.

Except for the Mat-Su Borough, most communities in our state will conduct a joint city and borough election tomorrow.   I live in Homer, and like most other towns in this state, presidential elections attract a large turnout. Unfortunately, off-cycle elections like tomorrow’s borough and city elections are typically very low-turnout affairs.

Table 1

You can see Homer’s participation in presidential elections illustrated in Table 1.  The city voter turnout is typically in the high 60% range, and often exceeds the national average.  In the last three elections, the Republican candidate won by large majorities of 15-20%.  We often hear that Homer is a liberal town, but not when it counts in presidential elections.

Table 2

The same is not true for local elections, where Homer has a very low participation rate.  The average voter turnout for the last four city and borough elections was an anemic 19.77%, and in all of these city council elections except one, the more liberal candidate won.  What’s worse, the winning margin of victory was only 285 votes!  The liberals barely squeak out a victory.  If conservatives had turned out in the same numbers they do for presidential elections, it would have assured a conservative majority on our city council.  However, in these off-cycle local elections, it seems like the Republicans stay home, gifting victory to the liberals.

While not having the excitement of a gubernatorial election, tomorrow’s local elections here in Alaska are still important.  One example is the sales tax we all pay.  The 7.85% sales tax residents in Homer pay on all purchases is a burden placed on us by the city and borough governments.  Those same officials also decide the amount of property taxes levied against us.  When you add these two forms of taxation together, the annual amount each resident pays runs into the thousands of dollars.  It is the local officials we elect tomorrow who will determine whether our tax burden will go up or down, and if the tax revenue is used wisely.

Mr. Pressler has focused his turnout efforts on the larger states holding elections for major statewide offices.  He knows the Republicans are the low-propensity party.  Historically, they vote in presidential election years, but fewer of them vote in off-cycle elections.  Their biggest hurdle will be getting every person who voted for Donald Trump in the last three elections to turn up and support local conservative candidates.  

Alaska doesn’t have a voter activist like Scott Pressler, but we do have the conservative readers of this site.  You can make sure you vote and get the word out to others who might have forgotten there is an election tomorrow.  Absentee voting in person is available in most communities, so you can vote today if that fits your schedule best. If you are someone who likes to go to the polling place and vote on election day, please do so tomorrow, and take a friend with you.

If you are unsure of the candidates and issues, I have prepared a voter guide for conservative voters in Homer. There are excellent conservative candidates and important issues on the ballot in every community and borough in Alaska. Please familiarize yourself and make your choices known.

The apathy that Scott Pressler is worried about doesn’t have to happen.  Conservatives can win in local elections.  All it takes is for a motivated group of individuals to show up tomorrow.  Please get out and vote. 

Citations:

https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2025/10/04/exclusive-scott-presler-biggest-hurdle-is-getting-republicans-to-vote-in-every-election-we-need-big-beautiful-turnout
https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2025/10/04/exclusive-scott-presler-new-jersey-governorship-is-winnable-we-need-big-beautiful-turnout
https://sewardsfolly.substack.com/p/its-not-just-the-candidates-ballot

Tom Williams: A Last-Minute Opportunity to Vote

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Tom Williams: A Last-Minute Opportunity to Vote

By Tom Williams

Juneau’s city election day is here. If you are going to vote you must do so by 8:00 PM on Tuesday October 7th. If you haven’t voted already, you should make it a priority to do so. Why? Because this election will have major financial consequences for all City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) residents. Either you will effectively put some guardrails around your cost of living, or you will allow the CBJ Assembly to increase your taxes and continue making poor spending decisions.

Voting YES on PROPOSITIONS 1 and 2 will help keep the cost of living in Juneau for our families from spiraling ever higher and higher as it has during the past several years.

On one hand, the Assembly never misses an opportunity to virtue signal about the high cost of housing in Juneau and the need for more “affordable” housing. At the same time the Assembly continues to increase our property taxes, pushing the cost of housing higher each time it does.  In the process the Assembly continues to fill the CBJ tax coffers beyond what is needed to efficiently provide basic government services.

Passage of PROPOSITION 1 will cap the mill rate very close to what the Assembly taxed us this year for basic services: 9 mills instead of the 9.16 mills in this year’s budget. Had it been in effect this year, our property taxes would not have increased by the $1 million dollars they did.  The new cap will dampen the Assembly’s ability to keep raising property taxes.

CBJ property tax revenues will still increase should property values continue to increase.  In addition, the Assembly can increase their property tax revenue by actually supporting new development instead of continuing to throw up roadblocks and delays.  They could also quit taking private property off the tax rolls and issuing years long tax breaks to some companies.

And don’t believe those that cry wolf saying the CBJ would not be able to respond to emergencies.  The CBJ maintains reserves precisely to deal with a significant emergency.  And if more funding is actually needed, the CBJ can ask the voters to approve bonds to raise necessary funds, since the 9 mill cap does not cap our voter approved bonding ability.  PROPOSITION 1 will just help keep the Assembly from getting further out of control in their taxing and poor spending decisions. Please don’t miss the opportunity to vote YES on PROPOSITION 1.

Passage of PROPOSITION 2 is projected to leave an estimated $9 million to $11 millions in our families’ pockets, to help us pay other rising costs.  Although this idea was considered by the Assembly as few years ago, they just couldn’t bring themselves to help our younger families deal with the ever rising cost of food and utilities.  Why? They were unwilling to actually reduce the cost of living for everyone but seniors, because it would reduce the amount of money they could spend on their pet projects and programs.  It took a broad-based citizen effort spearheaded by the Affordable Juneau Coalition to finally act in our families’ best interest by getting PROPOSITION 2 on the ballot.  Please don’t miss the opportunity to vote YES on PROPOSITION 2.

While the Assembly has finally reluctantly agreed that we should pass PROPOSITION 2, they still showed their absolute unwillingness to reduce the cost of living in Juneau.  They rushed through PROPOSITION 3, desperate to not only make up the sales tax that our families won’t be paying for food and utilities, but to actually increase sales taxes on us.  Make no mistake, the seasonal sales taxes that they once didn’t like but now promote is just a smoke and mirrors tax increase. In addition, the Assembly’s PROPOSITION 3 makes their sales tax scheme permanent, taking away our historical right to vote to reauthorize a portion of our sales taxes.  So much for democracy and letting the voters have an effective and ongoing role in the CBJ spending decisions.  Why would any member of the public vote for this approach unless their job or program funding depended on the continued generosity of the Assembly without any genuine scrutiny of the need or effectiveness of their program or job.

Even the Juneau Chamber of Commerce has come out in opposition to PROPOSITION 3.  Why?  It could be that it will cost more for our businesses to implement, or it could change local spending patterns to our local business’s detriment.  Passage of PROPOSITION  2 will allow the CBJ Sales tax office to eliminate their sales tax exemption administration function, whereas a seasonal sale tax will most likely require more administrative costs.

But what about those who say that without PROPOSITION 3 the Assembly will have to reduce basic services? The fact is the Assembly has made several very poor spending decisions because they have had a lot of money from overtaxing us. 

Remember that the Assembly asked us pesky voters to approve their plans to spend from $20 Million to $43 Million for a brand spanking new city hall.  To their chagrin, we said no, twice.  Nevertheless, without asking the voters again, the Assembly will now be spending nearly $20 million after purchasing and remodeling costs, for 5-star accommodations for their city hall, with never ending condo fees of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. 

Also don’t forget their Telephone Hill planned spending. With no commitment from any private developer to build “affordable” housing on the site without any more CBJ investment, the Assembly is allocating another $9 million to just raze the buildings on Telephone Hill.  Who knows just how much more they will want to spend to get more “affordable” housing built downtown, just like the failed “affordable” housing project the Assembly promoted on Peterson Hill a few years back.

And let’s not forget the Assembly’s penchant to continue providing piecemeal funding a of a $60 million plus new civic center, once again despite voter rejection.  While the Assembly recently reallocated to flood control $5 million previously appropriated for the new civic center, their stated intention is to continue to pursue that project in the future, presumably with their proposed increased and permanent sales tax.

Beyond these three examples of poor major spending decisions, they continue to spend money on programs that provide very little if any public benefit.  For example, the Assembly continues to send hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) which has done virtually nothing to actual promote or assist in any significant development in Juneau.  In addition, the Assembly continues to spend hundreds of thousands of more dollars a year on mail-in voting, which has not increased voter turnout, sent printing of thousands of unused ballots to an out-of-state vendor, filled our recycling center and landfill with thousands of unused ballots, and unnecessarily delayed our election returns.  Neither of these are good spending decisions by the Assembly.

Undoubtedly there are more examples of where the CBJ could absorb any temporary reduction in sales tax revenues.  Clearly, if our highly paid City Manager is competent, she should be able to find efficiencies and make positive recommendations as to how to minimize the impact on the voters by tightening the CBJ’s belt a bit.  If not, then we probably need a new City Manager as well as a new Assembly.

In short, PROPSITION 3 is the worst of all sales tax options, which is why it was abandoned by prior Assemblies. Please don’t miss the opportunity to vote NO on PROPOSITION 3.

Juneau has been Tom Williams’ home since 1977.  Over the past 26 years he has served as the CFO for two locally owned aviation companies.   Previously he spent 18 years with the State of Alaska as an auditor, a Director of two Department of Revenue Divisions, and as staff to two Senate Finance Committee Co-Chairs. His local service includes stints on the CBJ Airport Board and as chair of the CBJ Harbor Board.

Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson Announces Run for Governor

Jon Faulkner
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Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson Announces Run for Governor

Joining a crowded field of Republican-leaning candidates for Alaska’s next Governor, former Mayor Dave Bronson announced today his candidacy for the office. In a press release to MRAK, his campaign officially launched this morning in Fairbanks, and announced rollout events in Fairbanks, Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Soldotna. There are now 11 Republican candidates running for Governor of Alaska.

Bronson’s press release touted his status as an Air Force veteran and “proven conservative leader” who pledges to focus on “economic growth, infrastructure, affordable housing, stronger schools, and protecting the Permanent Fund Dividend.” 

Planned events are as follows: 

Anchorage Press Conference 

  • When: Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. 
  • Where: Sullivan Arena Gold Room, 1600 Gambell St., Anchorage, AK 

Soldotna (Kenai) Meet & Greet 

  • When: Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. 
  • Where: Kenai River Lodge, 393 Riverside Dr., Soldotna, AK 

In the release, Bronson stated, “Alaska has incredible promise, but too many families are being priced out of the American Dream, too many young people are leaving, and too many opportunities are slipping away,” said Bronson. “I’m running for Governor to fight for Alaska’s future, unlock our resources, and make sure this is a place where our kids and grandkids can thrive.” 

PRESS ADVISORY October 2Download

Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Voter Education Campaign on Propositions 1 and 5 Sparks Legal Questions 

Ben Carpenter
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Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Voter Education Campaign on Propositions 1 and 5 Sparks Legal Questions 

With the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s October 7, 2025, election nearing, two citizen-initiated ballot measures—Proposition 1, mandating manual hand-counting of in-person ballots and eliminating electronic tabulators, and Proposition 5, aligning local elections with state and federal November dates—are at the center of debate.  

The Borough Assembly’s $34,000 voter education campaign, launched in September 2025, aims to inform residents about these measures but has drawn scrutiny for highlighting only their challenges, omitting potential benefits. This approach raises questions about compliance with Alaska election laws, which require neutrality in public-funded efforts.  

Here’s a look at the campaign’s details, its legal implications, and options for voters. 

The Campaign: Focus on Challenges 

On September 3, 2025, the Assembly unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-19, allocating $34,000 for a voter outreach campaign on Propositions 1 and 5, managed by Borough Clerk Michele Turner. The campaign includes digital ads on platforms like Facebook, infographics on the Borough website kpb.us, and radio ads broadcast to the peninsula’s approximately 58,000 residents. 

For Proposition 1, the campaign notes increased staffing needs and costs for manual ballot counting, with Vice President Kelly Cooper emphasizing during Assembly discussions the “unknown price tags” voters should understand. For Proposition 5, it highlights logistical hurdles, such as disrupted election agreements with cities like Soldotna, Homer, and Kenai, which could keep municipal races in October, requiring the Borough to hire separate workers and purchase materials.  

The Borough’s factsheets for both propositions provide neutral ballot language but direct voters to campaign materials for context, which focus solely on these challenges. Notably, the campaign does not mention potential benefits.  

For Proposition 1, there is no reference to possible gains in public trust from manual counting amid national election security concerns. For Proposition 5, it omits data from boroughs like Matanuska-Susitna, where aligned elections boosted turnout to 41% in 2024, compared to Kenai’s 25% in recent non-federal years. This selective focus aligns with the Assembly’s 2023 decision to reject election alignment (7-2 vote), favoring a Voter Turnout Working Group instead. 

Alaska’s election laws, governed by Title 15, regulate public spending on voter education. AS 15.13.145 prohibits using public funds to influence election outcomes, including ballot measures, to avoid the “appearance of corruption” (AS 15.13.010). Voter education must be “factual and impartial,” per Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) guidelines, and expenditures over $500 require disclosure (AS 15.13.090).  

State election pamphlets (AS 15.58) include balanced arguments for and against measures. The Borough’s campaign, by emphasizing only challenges, could be seen as indirectly opposing Propositions 1 and 5, potentially violating AS 15.13.145.  

APOC has pursued similar cases: in 2023-2025, anti-ranked-choice voting groups faced $157,000 in fines for biased communications and non-disclosure. A 2021 case, Alaska Policy Forum v. APOC, flagged educational materials for skewed framing, noting that omissions can mislead voters. Penalties for violations include fines up to $102,000 (three times the campaign cost), corrective disclosures, or misdemeanor charges (AS 15.13.390).  

With absentee voting underway, an APOC complaint could disrupt the campaign or trigger post-election audits.  

Voter Options Before Election Day 

Voters seeking to address the campaign’s one-sided approach have several paths: 

  • File a Complaint: Residents can submit complaints to APOC at doa.alaska.gov/apoc, citing the campaign’s omission of benefits (e.g., Prop 5’s turnout potential). Contact: (907) 276-4176 or [email protected]. Complaints may prompt investigations within 30-90 days. 
  • Access Full Information: Review proposition texts at kpb.us/elections. For Prop 1, consider security benefits versus costs; for Prop 5, note Mat-Su’s turnout gains.  

As the Borough navigates these contentious measures, the campaign’s focus on challenges alone has sparked concerns about fairness. Influencing election outcomes by elected officials is a serious matter, as is violating state election laws. Both propositions are intended to improve election integrity and voter turnout. What are the Assembly’s actions intended to do? 

Ben Carpenter is a former Alaska state legislator, combat veteran, small business owner, host and producer of the Must Read Alaska Show podcast, and newly hired CEO of Must Read Alaska. Ben is also the sponsor of Ballot Proposition 5. 

Dunleavy Prepared for Federal Shutdown Impacts 

Brenda Josephson
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Dunleavy Prepared for Federal Shutdown Impacts 

The U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight on October 1, following Congress’s failure to pass a continuing resolution or a full appropriations bill by the September 30 deadline. Partisan disagreements over spending priorities prevented an agreement on a short-term funding measure. This is the first government shutdown since 2019, affecting non-essential federal operations and leading to the furlough of hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide until funding is restored. 

In preparation for the shutdown, it was announced that proactive measures had been implemented to ensure Alaska’s readiness to continue essential services. Governor Dunleavy has directed all state executive branch departments to review federally administered programs and develop contingency plans to maintain critical services for residents. The state aims to minimize disruptions by leveraging available funds and adhering to the latest federal agency guidance. 

According to the announcement, due to prior funding arrangements or authorizations, several essential programs are anticipated to continue functioning without disruption. These programs include Medicaid, Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance. The state maintains regular communication with federal partners to monitor developments. Adjustments to other programs may occur based on Congressional actions and directives from relevant agencies. 

Officials in Alaska intend to follow a precedent established during previous shutdowns by ensuring that state-administered, federally funded programs continue to operate. The state will reassess the priorities of services essential for the public’s well-being and safety if the shutdown extends beyond one month or if there are changes in funding dynamics. 

 Employees in approximately 4,800 state executive branch positions that receive partial federal funding are expected to continue working and receiving their salaries until the federal government issues revised instructions.  

 To assist federal employees who may face furloughs, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The document addresses concerns related to unemployment insurance and provides detailed instructions on how to apply and check eligibility.  

State officials emphasize that, although the duration of the shutdown is uncertain, these preparations enable Alaska to protect essential services during the funding lapse. 

Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Alex Gimarc: APOC Complaint Against Mayor Suzanne LaFrance

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Alex Gimarc: APOC Complaint Against Mayor Suzanne LaFrance

By ALEX GIMARC

I filed a campaign finance reporting complaint against Mayor LaFrance a couple weeks ago. It was accepted and served against the Mayor on Sept 24. Complaint 25-18-CD is not yet available on APOC’s web site. Her reports for all campaigns are available there, however. The complaint finds the mayor did incomplete campaign expenditure reporting in her 2024 run for Mayor. APOC is asked to investigate and if necessary, fine LaFrance for multiple violations of state law.

Mayor LaFrance is not a stranger to this particular rodeo, having run in local elections three times, 2017 and 2020 for Anchorage Assembly and 2024 for Mayor. Her initial set of reports in 2017 did have some problems, there were three incomplete disclosures during that campaign. Two of them were out of state expenditures for advertising or digital advertising. Purchase of radio media on multiple frequencies was lumped into a single payment. The local voter has no insight into the allocation of funds amongst the six stations her ads ran on. Sadly, the events of her 2017 campaign are outside the APOC Statute of Limitations.

But LaFrance is a learning machine and filed an excellent set of reports for her 2020 reelection campaign for Anchorage Assembly. Her radio time buy on Feb 18, 2020, disclosed funds distributed to five radio frequencies. Another disclosed a vendor engaged in two tasks and the purchase of radio time in Anchorage with funds allocated for three different purposes. By 2020, LaFrance was clearly aware of state law and had no problem reporting expenditures to comply with that law.

Sadly, during her run for Mayor, that compliance disappeared, with over 80 failures to report which vendor was spending which campaign dollar on which ad on which station, something she had no problem doing four years earlier. 

While I make no excuses for either state law or LaFrance, I simply point out that this is state law, applicable to candidates on both sides of the political divide. If I was snarky, I would note that media for the 2024 LaFrance campaign was done by three out of state media companies, DS Political, Hamburger Creative and Sage Media Planning and Placement, all based in Washington DC. Locally, her media buys were done by Amber Lee Strategies, Gonzalez Media, LLC and Alpha Media Group. 

I do not expect the National democrat-connected companies to know or care about Alaska state law. I do expect her multiple deputy treasurers with more than passing connections to the Ship Creek Group to both care about Alaska state law and act accordingly. That they are singularly uninterested in compliance should tell us a lot about LaFrance, her backers and their willingness to comply with state and local law while governing. 

In our analysis of LaFrance financial reporting, we find that she did not comply with Alaska state law on 89 items. Most of these took place before May 1, 2024, some 500 days ago. Failure to correctly report an expenditure puts a campaign at risk of a fine of at least $50.day. If APOC agrees following its investigation, the LaFrance campaign is on the hook for fines on the order of $2.2 million.

One of the mantras we heard endlessly from the political left and their cheerleaders in the media during anti-Trump lawfare 2021 – 2024 was that nobody is above the law. We are about to find out if Mayor LaFrance and her campaign are above the law or required to comply just like every other single candidate running for office here in Alaska. And we are going to find out how well APOC enforces violations of state law. While I hope for the best, I am ready for anything. 

Alex Gimarc lives in Anchorage since retiring from the military in 1997. His interests include science and technology, environment, energy, economics, military affairs, fishing and disabilities policies. His weekly column “Interesting Items” is a summary of news stories with substantive Alaska-themed topics. He was a small business owner and Information Technology professional.

Kikkan Randall Nominated to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, Honoring Trailblazing Olympic Legacy 

Jon Faulkner
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Kikkan Randall Nominated to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame, Honoring Trailblazing Olympic Legacy 

By JON FAULKNER 

Editor’s Note: This story was corrected on October 2, 2025, to reflect the correct location for the induction ceremonies.

ANCHORAGE – In recognition of Kikkan Randall’s lifetime of outstanding contributions to the sport, the Olympic gold medalist and Alaskan cross-country skiing icon has been nominated for induction into the prestigious U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.  The announcement, made earlier this month, celebrates Randall’s unparalleled achievements, including her pivotal role in securing America’s first-ever Olympic gold in women’s cross-country skiing. 

Randall, an Anchorage native and executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage, etched her name in history at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Teaming with Jessie Diggins, she clinched the team sprint gold in a thrilling finish against Scandinavian powerhouses. The victory shattered decades of barriers for U.S. skiers.

Watch NBC Sport’s 2018 Winter Olympics: Randall, Diggins win gold, ending U.S. cross-country drought.

Over her 17-season career, Randall amassed 29 World Cup podiums, three consecutive sprint Crystal Globes, a 2009 World Championships silver, and a 2013 World Championships gold—milestones that redefined American excellence in Nordic skiing. 

A cancer survivor, mother of two, and advocate for women’s empowerment through Fast and Female, Randall’s journey from East High School prodigy to global trailblazer inspires generations. “This nomination feels like a nod to our Anchorage community that believed in the impossible,” Randall said. “It’s our shared victory.” 

Induction ceremonies are slated for April 2026 in Snowbird, Utah. Randall joins Scott Gomez, an NHL star, and Carlos Boozer, an NBA standout, in a banner month of recognition for Alaskan sports legends. 

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The People of Alaska vs. The Legislature Part I: Inflation-Proofing:...

Juneau Voters Back Citizens’ Tax Relief Measures and Oust Longtime Incumbent

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By BRENDA JOSEPHSON Juneau voters sent a clear message in...

Share How Charlie Kirk Impacted Your Life at TPUSA-UAA Event Tues, Oct. 14

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TPUSA-UAA invites the community to come out and share...

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