Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday issued a formal proclamation declaring a vacancy in the office of the United States Representative and calling for a special election.
The special primary will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022. The special election shall be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, to fill the vacancy in the office of the United States Representative.
The need for a special election comes after the March 18 death of Congressman Don Young, who was in his 50th year of representing Alaska in Washington, D.C. Alaska has just one congressional seat.
Prior to the proclamation, the announcement had been preliminary, as laid out in a press conference held by the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and director of the Division of Elections on Tuesday. Dunleavy had until Friday of this week to issue the formal proclamation. Learn more at the link below.
A series of emails obtained through a public records request show that former CEO of the Alaska Permanent Fund Angela Rodell had extensive email conversations of a political nature with then-Senate Finance Co-Chair Sen. Natasha von Imhof.
Von Imhof, in announcing this month that her Legislative Budget and Audit Committee would be subpoenaing the Board of Trustees for the Alaska Permanent Fund, said she wanted to ensure that the fund is not being politicized. She is investigating the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell.
But the record shows that over the years she was having extensive political conversations and influence on Rodell on many matters related to the fund, including a bill that Rodell was trying to get passed in the Legislature.
Their relationship is also personal, something Von Imhof has not disclosed to the public. In one of the emails, von Imhof’s chief of staff made an arrangement for von Imhoff and Rodell to attend a theater performance together in Juneau. In a text message that reveals a friendship, Rodell commented that von Imhof was “da bomb.” Von Imhof had given Rodell the cell phone for fund trustee Corri Feige.
In Alaska, the leadership pool is close, and people who work in leaderships have relationships for many years. Thus, it’s not uncommon for friendships to occur and alliances to develop.
But von Imhof has stated repeatedly that she was concerned about the firing of Rodell, she has held hearings on that firing and brought the chairman of the board of trustees before her committee to interrogate, and said she fears the Permanent Fund was being politicized — all while not disclosing her relationship.
The record shows she was having political influence on the fund as far back as 2020.
Von Imhof was not the only political conversation in the emails. Also involved in political side email discussions on matters that were being legislated were former Rep. Jennifer Johnson and Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins, both foes of a full Permanent Fund dividend.
In the dozens of email pages received through a public records request, the public can now see that von Imhof was working closely with Rodell not only on bills of interest to the two of them, but on a sovereign wealth professional development program with Mozambique, and to work through the possibility of a government shutdown and what that would mean to the fund and its personnel. During a meeting that was set up between the two entities (Mozambique and Alaska), von Imhof offered to discuss the political consequences of the fund as her area of expertise.
The Department of Law is already on the record saying that the relationship between Rodell and von Imhof is a sticky wicket, now that Von Imhof has issued legislative subpoenas to the Permanent Fund Board of Trustees, which voted nearly unanimously to fire Rodell.
The Department of Law stated that the Permanent Fund Board believes that the committee’s investigation exceeds its statutory and constitutional authority – and the manner in which the investigation has begun raises serious concerns about its fairness and impartiality. The trustees believe a third party is a more appropriate way to investigate its actions, rather than the political body of the Legislature.
The Law Department wrote, “This delegation of subpoena power to one individual and its current use as a threat to APFC Trustees and employees has been made even more problematic because of a clear conflict of interest at the center of the Committee’s investigation.”
The emails MRAK was able to obtain — and they are likely a fraction of what is available — show that von Imhof has a deep and influential relationship with Rodell. The question for legislative leadership and the public is: Was von Imhof, who is the vice chair of the board of the Rasmuson Foundation, her family’s wealth fund, exerting undue influence on the Permanent Fund all along?
A formal memo from Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Russia is committing war crimes by deliberately targeting civilians across Ukraine and committing atrocities against children.
“Since launching his unprovoked and unjust war of choice, Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed unrelenting violence that has caused death and destruction across Ukraine. We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities. Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure. civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded. Many of the sites Russia’s forces have hit have been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians. This includes the Mariupol maternity hospital, as the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressly noted in a March 11 report. It also includes a strike that hit a Mariupol theater, clearly marked with the word — [Russian word for children] —— in huge letters visible from the sky. Putin’s forces used these same tactics in Grozny, Chechnya. and Aleppo, Syria, where they intensified their bombardment of cities to break the will of the people. Their attempt to do so in Ukraine has again shocked the world and, as President Zelenskyy has soberly attested. ‘bathed the people of Ukraine in blood and tears.’
“Every day that Russia’s forces continue their brutal attacks, the number of innocent civilians killed and wounded, including women and children, climbs. As of March 22, officials in besieged Mariupol said that more than 2,400 civilians had been killed in that city alone. Not including the Mariupol devastation, the United Nations has officially confirmed more than 2,500 civilian casualties, including dead and wounded, and emphasizes the actual toll is likely higher.
“Last week, I echoed President Biden’s statement, based on the countless accounts and images of destruction and suffering we have all seen, that war crimes had been committed by Putin’s forces in Ukraine. I noted then that the deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime. I emphasized that Department of State and other U.S. government experts were documenting and assessing potential war crimes in Ukraine. Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.
“Our assessment is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources. As with any alleged crime, a court of law with jurisdiction over the crime is ultimately responsible for detennining criminal guilt in specific cases. The U.S. government will continue to track reports of war crimes and will share information we gather with allies, partners, and international institutions and organizations, as appropriate. We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions.”
The Anchorage School Board will announce finalists for the district’s superintendent position on Friday at 2 pm The board will also give details about the next steps for choosing the next superintendent. The district is searching for the leader who will take over for Superintendent Deena Bishop, who announced she would retire in June.
Monday, March 28: The finalists will be available for a photo opportunity at the ASD Education Center from 7:30-7:45 a.m. School Board President Margo Bellamy will briefly speak, as will the candidates. This will be the media and public’s opportunity to hear briefly from candidates. There will be no individual media interviews with the candidates.
March 28 and March 29: Candidates will participate in two a two-day tour of the district that will include school site visits and town hall meetings with staff, principals and leadership, union leadership, students, and community members.
Town halls, conducted via Zoom teleconference, are being made available at these times:
Union Leadership Monday, March 28 from 4-6:45 pm
Principals and Directors, March 28 from 4-6:45 pm
ASD Employees, March 28 from 4-6:45 pm.
Community virtual town hall March 29 from 5-6:30 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link.
The late Congressman Don Young’s Communication Director Zack Brown wasn’t sure how long the facility managers of the Rayburn Building will allow Congressman Young’s name to stay next to the door of Room 2314. Young died on March 18 on a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle, where he was connecting to another flight to Southeast Alaska.
Thus, Brown had a poster produced that has one of the final portraits of Congressman Young, which is propped on an easel outside the offices. That way people can find Don Young’s old office.
The office is now known as the Alaska At-Large Congressional Office. Brown said he’ll remain the communication director for now, although his workload has changed.
Young will be the 37th person to lie in state in the Capitol, and only the 4th whose federal service was entirely in the House of Representatives, according to the House Historian. Speaker Nancy Pelosi would not allow him to lie in state in the Rotunda, but approved the request to lie in state in Statuary Hall.
For a complete list of people who have lain in state or in honor in the Capitol, visit this link.
Questions and answers about the special election for the temporary Alaska’s At-Large seat, in Congress as provided by the Division ofElections:
Why can’t the Governor appoint someone?
The U.S. Constitution requires an election for a vacant U.S. House seat. It does not allow for appointments.
When will the election be?
State law requires two elections: a special primary election within 60 to 90 days and a special election on the first Tuesday that is 60 days after that. The Division of Elections prefers to hold the special primary on June 11 and the special election on Aug. 16, the same day as the primary election. Barring any changes to state law, the Governor needs to issue a proclamation for these elections by Friday, March 25 in order to meet all relevant federal and state deadlines.
Does Ballot Measure 2 apply?
Yes. The special primary election will be an open, non-partisan primary where the top four candidates advance. This election will not determine party nominees. The special election will be a ranked choice election, where voters may rank up to four candidates and a write-in candidate from first to last.
Why these dates?
By holding the special primary election on June 11, candidates would have time to declare their candidacy and the Division of Elections would have time to mail ballots to overseas and military voters 45 days before the election. This also allows the Division to hold the special election with the primary election on Aug. 16. The Division will also provide absentee and early voting for the special election.
What about the witness requirement for by-mail ballots?
Witness signatures will be required because they are required by state law. The Alaska Supreme Court only eliminated the witness requirement for the 2020 general election.
What will the ballot look like on August 16?
The ballot will include both the primary ballot and the special election ballot. It will list all of the state and federal races with primary elections, where voters can vote for one candidate in each race. It will also include the special election, where voters can rank the four candidates and a write-in candidate by filling in a grid. The Division of Elections will count all the votes in the primary and the special election and determine the winner of the special election using ranked choice voting.
How does ranked choice voting work?
Voters will rank the candidates from first to last. The Division of Elections will count the votes in rounds. If a candidate gets the majority of votes in the first round, that candidate wins. If not, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated. The votes for the losing candidate then go to the voters’ second choices. This continues until two candidates are left and the candidate with the most votes wins.
To better understand ranked choice voting, visit the Division’s website: https://www.elections.alaska.gov/RCV.php .
What do candidates have to do to file for the vacant seat?
Candidates must file a declaration of candidacy and pay a $100 filing fee, just like for a regularly scheduled election. They must file this declaration after the proclamation and before the deadline, which will be April 1 at 5 pm. The Division of Elections’ five regional offices will be open for in-person filing on:
Saturday, March 26 from 10 AM to 2 pm
Sunday, March 27 from Noon to 2 pm
Seward’s Day, Monday, March 28 from 10 AM to 2 pm
Tuesday, March 29 through Friday, April 1 from 8 AM to 5 pm
The Division will also accept declarations of candidacy by mail, fax, and email, although these must be received by the Division by 5 pm on Friday, April 1. Due to state and federal deadlines, any candidate that wants to withdraw from the special primary or special election must do so by noon on Monday, April 4 or by noon on Sunday, June 26, respectively.
If you have questions about filing a declaration of candidacy, please contact the Division.
Can a candidate for state office run for the vacant seat?
Yes. Candidates may only declare for one office per election. Even though the special election will occur on the same day—and on the same ballot—as the primary election, these are actually two different elections. So a candidate could run in the special election for the vacant seat and in the primary for state office. Whoever wins the election for the vacant seat cannot hold two offices at the same time.
When does the elected representative take the vacant seat and how long will they serve?
The person elected will take office after they are certified as the winner and sworn in to the U.S. House. They will serve for the remainder of the vacant term.
When will we know the results?
The Division of Elections plans to certify the results of the special primary election on June 25. It plans to certify the results of the primary and special election on Sept. 2. For the two weeks after the special election, the Division can only release preliminary first-choice results.
What about redistricting?
The 2021 Redistricting Plan is currently being litigated, with a decision from the Alaska Supreme Court expected on April 1. The Redistricting Board may have to amend its plan and the Division of Elections will have to implement the final plan. Voters may not be associated with their new districts in the Division’s systems by the time of the special primary election. However, because the special primary will be a statewide, by-mail election, all ballots that are properly cast will be fully counted, regardless of a voter’s district or precinct.
Can the special primary election be held by mail?
Yes, the Division of Elections can conduct elections by mail when they are not held at the same time as a general, primary, or municipal election. The decision on whether to hold a special primary election by mail falls to the Division Director.
If the special primary is held by mail, will there be a way to vote in person?
Yes. The Division still offers absentee-in-person voting at many locations for the two weeks before the election day for a by mail election. Voters could show identification and cast ballots with election officials.
PredictIt, the online prediction tool that allows people to essentially bet on real political outcomes, has a new game up: Will Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court?
With over 64,151 shares traded, the players are saying yes, Murkowski will be a “Yea” on Brown Jackson.
Murkowski opposed the Trump nominees to the Supreme Court and was a holdout vote who was lobbied heavily by Planned Parenthood and other left-wing organizations, who attempted to sway her.
She ultimately voted “present” on Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, after opposing him initially. She also opposed advancing the nomination of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, but in the end voted “Yea” to confirm her. Both were considered conservative jurists.
Murkowski is one of the senators who led the talks that ended with the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, earlier this year, and is a champion for protecting women and children from being victimized. How she will respond to Brown Jackson’s protection of predators is anyone’s guess in this year, in which she is also up for reelection.
PredictItis owned and operated by Victoria University of Wellington of New Zealand with support from Aristotle, Inc. The market was launched on Nov. 3, 2014 and its office is now headquartered in Washington, D.C.
We all want our kids to have the best chance of success in life. Our public schools play a vital role in that outcome.
Unfortunately, we are hobbling our kids’ academic opportunities by allocating far too many of our nation-leading education dollars to facilities. We continue to see the emphasis placed on facilities, not on educational outcomes.
I first became aware of this a few years ago when the current Clark Middle School building was constructed. The per-square-foot cost of the new middle school exceeded the per-square-foot cost of the Anchorage VA Medical Center, which was built around the same time. How is that possible? At that time, the justification was that the fancy school facility was needed in order to improve student outcomes. Here we are, a dozen years later, still waiting for the promised improved educational outcomes.
Perhaps these actions would make sense if our student population was rapidly growing. But it’s not; Anchorage School District enrollment peaked 20 years ago at about 50,000 thousand students. Fall 2021 enrollment for was below 40,000 (when accounting for charter school enrollment). The last time the district had fewer than 40,000 kids in its school buildings was 39 years ago, in 1983. Current demographic projections indicate this trend will continue for some time. In fact, the latest district capital improvement plan expects enrollment will drop by another 5,000 students by 2027.
With the rapid drop in student enrollment in the last 20 years, you would think there would be a corresponding drop in facilities. However, you would be wrong. The opposite has unexplainably happened. Since 1983, the last time we had so few students, the total size of ASD facilities has grown by 49.2 percent, a whopping 2.6 million square feet of extra space. Using a conservative number of $25 a square foot a year for heat, light, and maintenance, the additional space costs $65 million a year. When the extra cost of principal and interest are added in for this added footprint, the total additional cost to the residents of Anchorage is around $95 million a year.
Why are Anchorage residents footing a $95 million dollar bill for unneeded space, when student educational outcomes desperately need improvement? Alaska is ranked dead last in the U.S. in national reading scores for both low-income and upper/middle-income students. And before you think that the rest of the state is dragging ASD scores down, guess again; ASD is ranked 22nd in the state in language arts out of 54 school districts.
Imagine what could happen if that $95 million dollars in facilities costs (over $2,000 per student or a $34,000 raise per classroom teacher with an average class size of 17 students per teacher) was redirected every year to improve student outcomes by retaining and attracting top teaching talent.
The school district’s Proposition 1 bond mailer includes the tagline “All of Our Children.” It’s time for the Anchorage School District to focus on the actual children, by spending more money in the classroom and not on fancy spacious buildings.
Jodi Taylor and her husband are the parents of six children; she’s a business owner and finds joy in serving to create an environment where families can thrive.
Thanks, Ballot Measure 2. The crazy voting system designed by liberal lawyers Scott Kendall and Jahna Lindemuth has created a nightmare for Alaska voters already, and it has yet to be implemented.
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer tried to sort out the confusion that has arisen over how voters will elect a temporary replacement for Congressman Don Young. In short, he announced today, there will be four statewide elections this year, but two of them will be held simultaneously on Aug. 16.
The special election to replace Young has such a challenging logistical calendar this year with Ballot Measure 2 requirements, the best way to conduct the primary portion of that special election will be by mail, said Gail Fenumiai, the director of the Division of Elections.
Fenumiai said that over 2,000 workers would be needed to be hired by June to conduct the special election primary in a traditional way, and the division cannot possibly hire and train workers in time to make the timeline. There is a national shortage of workers, to begin with, and election workers need special training.
The special election primary done by mail requires a signature witness, Meyer said, unlike the election in 2020, when the Supreme Court said no witness signature would be needed due to Covid.
The current timeline for the special election to pick the temporary congressional representative for Alaska is:
April 1: Deadline for anyone who wishes to file for the seat. It costs $100 and the applicant must register with the Division of Elections, and the Federal Election Commission.
June 11: Primary special election for replacing Congressman Don Young temporarily. There will be in-person early voting at regional voting offices starting 15 days prior to June 11. But most voters will probably be mailing in their ballots to the Division of Elections.
June 25: Primary special election certified.
Aug. 16: General special election for the temporary replacement for Young will be included on the same ballot as the regular primary election.
Due to Ballot Measure 2, the temporary general question added to that regular primary ballot will be a Ranked Choice Voting method, while the other part of the primary — the regular primary for the congressional seat (and other seats), will be “pick one” style of voting.
The dates were the Division of Elections’ recommendation for how staffing, paper shortages, and other hurdles could be overcome in a timely enough way to certify the special election primary in time to get the four finalists onto the ballot on Aug. 16.
The governor will issue a proclamation by Friday as to the dates of the election, but all the details for how the election will be managed are up to the lieutenant governor, who is in charge of elections and does not report to the governor.
