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Anchorage voters say their ballots have not arrived, and only 19 ballots have been received by Muni

Suzanne Downing
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Anchorage voters say their ballots have not arrived, and only 19 ballots have been received by Muni

A week after ballots were put in the mail to Anchorage voters, the Anchorage Election Office reports on March 21 that only 19 people have cast their ballots in the March 15-April 5 Anchorage election. The ballots were delivered to a post office on March 15 from a printer in Washington state.

Multiple reports from over the weekend came in to Must Read Alaska from campaign volunteers who were door-knocking to remind people to vote. Voters they spoke with reported they have not seen any ballot yet.

Now, Must Read Alaska has learned that as many as 15,000 ballots are stuck in a post office in Everett, Washington.

35,000 ballots have left that post office in Washington, according to our source. As of Friday, only six ballots had been received by the Anchorage Election Office. This means an unknown number of people have simply not received a ballot.

All ballots in the Anchorage mail-in only election must be cast by April 5, the final day of the election.

In 2017, the Anchorage Assembly, without asking for a vote of the people, moved the voting process to mail-in only, adding millions of dollars to the annual election process. By the Assembly’s ordinance, the ballots had to be sent to voters by March 15 this year, but apparently are stuck in Washington, where they are printed.

This story is developing. Check back for more updates.

Anchorage Assembly tightens rules for election observers
Dunbar, worried about his campaign challenger, says Anchorage finances are fine, if only FEMA will maybe, hopefully, someday pay for $59 million in expenditures

Tuckerman Babcock: The Scott Kendall Ballot Measure 2 election nightmare — special election edition

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Tuckerman Babcock: The Scott Kendall Ballot Measure 2 election nightmare — special election edition

By TUCKERMAN BABCOCK

Scott Kendall, former 2016 campaign legal counsel for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and later chief of staff to former Gov. Bill Walker, has designed an election system nightmare that is going to force Alaskans to pay a very heavy price this year.

The election nightmare is a so-called “ranked choice” voting system designed by and pushed by Kendall. Narrowly adopted by Alaskans after a massive dark money campaign to get us to vote yes, Ballot Measure 2 passed by just a 1 percent margin.

Never mind that the whole rotten scheme was written to try and help Murkowski get reelected, because she has zero chance of ever winning a Republican Primary election. This was overturning an entire election process just to try and help one person stay in office.

So what are the consequences of Kendall’s scheming?

  1. Less information available for voters. In our traditional system, the primary allowed Alaskans to choose the Democrat and Republican nominees. Now, no one will know whether a candidate is, or is not, really a Democrat or Republican. Alaskans lost the ability to nominate the party candidate. From now one, every candidate can choose whatever party of convenience they want at the moment – and nobody will be the wiser.
  2. The election cannot be determined by humans counting ballots. The Scott Kendall scheme requires algorithms and computers to take charge of counting. When there is a problem — and there will be problems — judges will decide our election for us.
  3. Scott Kendall promised his rank system would ensure every winner gets 50 percent.  50 percent of what? In every place around the country any sort of ranked choice has been tried, between 2-14 percent of the voters have their votes tossed aside before the final tally.  What does that mean?  Of the 100% of those that go to vote, the final tally only includes maybe 90 percent of them.  So the winner wins with 50 percent of 90 percent…which is 45 percent.  Does that make any sense at all?
  4. Scott Kendall forgot to mention that everywhere ranked choice is imposed, turnout among the elderly and people of color has declined.  That is just a miserable fact. He knew it, if he did any research, but that apparently did not matter as much as trying to rig the system for his former bosses.
  5. Huge delays and exorbitant costs. Alaska, even under our traditional system, was the very last state to report our vote in the national election. Now, with the Scott Kendall ranked choice nightmare, we will be lucky to have a final vote count before the governor is required to be sworn in on Dec. 3. Best estimates are two to three weeks for a result at best.
  6. Special election fiasco. Scott Kendall also changed our special election process. In the past, we had one election and quickly filled our congressional vacancy. Alaska would  be deprived of representation in Congress for a couple of months. But Scott Kendall tossed that aside and created a two election process for special elections. What does that do? A: We spend an extra one or $2 million on an extra election. B: We are stopped from filling any vacancy for 4-5 months just to satisfy the weird process designed by Scott Kendall.
  7. Why do we have two elections? If you use ranked choice, you only need to pay for and hold one election. The choices will all be ranked and the votes tabulated and re-tabulated until a candidate gets 50 percent. Done — no need for two elections.
  8. Holding an election to nominate four candidates where each voter votes once and then holding a second election to elect one candidate where each voter gets to vote five times is the most ridiculous and absurd thing I have ever heard of.

The special election designed by Scott Kendall is a waste of time, waste of money, waste of votes. He has succeeded in turning Alaska’s elections into a wasteland of needless expense, confusion, and computerized mystery. No state uses the system Scott Kendall designed, and for good reason.

The unfortunate death of our longtime congressman has highlighted the nightmare that is Scott Kendall’s election system. 

Unless the Legislature acts immediately, we will be deprived of a having our member of Congress for an extra three or four months because of the horrible and thoughtless redesign of our elections by Scott Kendall. Alaskans will be asked to hold and pay for four statewide elections between July and November, millions of dollars utterly wasted.

What can be done?

At least this: Eliminate the totally pointless special election “primary” election.  We never had one before and we do not need one now.   One special election, ranked choice (since we must for this year) and one candidate wins with 50 percent. It’s half the trouble and half the cost. Get an Alaskan back in Congress twice as fast.

This is not about helping Democrats or Republicans. This is just doing what is right for Alaska.

Tuckerman Babcock is a past president of the Alaska Republican Party and is a candidate for Alaska Senate, to represent the Kenai Peninsula.

Canada’s Covid test requirement lifts April 1, but random mandatory test will replace it, and vaccines still required

Suzanne Downing
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Canada’s Covid test requirement lifts April 1, but random mandatory test will replace it, and vaccines still required

The current requirement to provide a negative Covid-19 test when crossing into Canada at a Canadian border ends April 1, the Canada Minister of Health announced on Friday. Travelers still must provide a proof of Covid vaccination, but will not need a booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated.

Travel to and from Alaska has been logistically difficult for the past two years of increasingly strict rules on both sides of the border, after the Covid-19 virus became an international policy sensation. Vaccinated travelers can cross into the U.S. by land border without being tested, but Canada has insisted on a recent Covid test, which is difficult for some Alaskans to get, since home tests are not accepted by Canadian Customs. Travelers through the Canadian border also have had to make border appointments through an app.

The travel for those working in Juneau or traveling from border communities such as Skagway to Whitehorse or Tok to Beaver Creek has been especially difficult for the past two years. Getting a Covid test for the border at Skagway that meets the time requirement means a trip to Juneau, for example.

Rules are not lifting entirely. Travelers arriving to Canada from any country, even if fully vaccinated, may be chosen for random testing, which will be mandatory. If selected for mandatory random testing, travelers will not be required to quarantine while await

Unless otherwise exempt, all travelers 5 years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry Covid-19 test result:

  • a valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
  • a valid negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
  • a previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. It is important to note that positive antigen test results will not be accepted.

All travelers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travelers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. Travelers arriving by cruise ship or plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.

Alexander Dolitsky: If walls could talk — remembrances of our red-brick house in Kiev, Ukraine

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Alexander Dolitsky: If walls could talk — remembrances of our red-brick house in Kiev, Ukraine

By ALEXANDER DOLISTSKY

Vladimir Lenin characterized the New Economic Policy in 1922 as an economic system that would include “a free market and capitalism, both subject to state control,” while socialized state enterprises would operate on “a profit basis”—an economic policy similar to today’s economic system in China.

Many entrepreneurs responded to this policy with a great enthusiasm, including my grandfather Roman Umansky. In fact, the New Economic Policy — NEP — became an engine of the small-scale free market, economic growth, and accumulation of capital by many risk takers in the early years of the former Soviet Union until 1929 and, in some instances, for small businesses until 1941.

In 1938-1939, my grandfather and six other small Jewish NEP entrepreneurs cooperated in building a red-brick, two-story house in midtown Kiev, about 15 minutes, by trolley, from the center city (Khreshchatik). This was a luxurious house by standards of the 1930s in the Soviet Union—reasonable amenities in all seven apartments in the building, including: central city water and sewer system, central electricity and each family had a small storage and garden adjacent to the red-brick house.

These were hard-working, happy and friendly families, living in peace with each other and the world around them until an eruption of the German invasion.

On June 22, 1941 at 4 am, Kiev was bombarded by German Luftwaffe, the aerial-warfare branch of the German military. By August of the same year, the German army advanced to the steps of Kiev. As a result of this invasion, all families in the red-brick house were dispersed to all directions of the compass. Some fought courageously against brutal invaders.

My grandfather was killed in defense of Kiev in 1941. My mother (18-years-old), aunt (16-years-old) and grandmother were evacuated to Gorky (a city on the upper Volga River—today’s Nizhniy Novgorod).

Many families were evacuated to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Siberia. Some Jews, who could not escape Kiev on time, were captured and executed in Babiy Yar by Nazis.

Babyn Yar (Babi Yar) is a ravine in Kiev and a site of massacres carried out by Nazi Germany’s forces. The first massacres took place  Sept. 29-30, 1941, killing nearly 34,000 Jews. 

Kiev was largely destroyed during German occupation. But many historic sites survived, including St. Sophia Cathedral, Golden Gate, Prince Vladimir Monument, Bogdan Khmelnitsky Monument, Taras Shevchenko Monument, The Holy Dormition Kiev Caves Lavra, St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery, St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral, St. Andrew’s Church, Vydubtskiy Monastery, Marinsky Palace, National University, Opera and Ballet Theatre and some other historic sites.

After Kiev was liberated by the Soviet Army in November of 1943, many residents of the city came back to their homes and began a reconstruction of Kiev and normalization of their lives.

My mother, aunt and grandmother also came back from an evacuation, where they had worked in the military factory, to claim their property. However, upon their arrival to Kiev, they discovered that their apartment was occupied by a Ukrainian family who refused to evict the property. My aunt Lilya, a tough woman who survived a harsh evacuation in Gorky, told me once: “I opened a balcony door and a front door and threatened intruders that they have to choose one of the two ways out—balcony or front door. They walked out through the front door.”

In fact, some Ukrainians and Russians, for various political, economic or ideological reasons, collaborated with German Nazis during the war. Perhaps the most famous was The Russian Liberation Army (or “Vlasov Army”) under General Andrey Vlasov. This was a collaborationist formation, primarily composed of anti-Soviet Ukrainians and Russians. This army predominantly operated in Western Ukraine. After the war, many members of the Vlasov Army settled in West Ukraine and some fled Ukraine to South and North America, changing their identities and hiding from prosecution for their war crimes.

I was born and raised in the red-brick house in the post-War time. I lived in this house when Sputnik was launched in 1957, de-Stalinization was announced in the late 1950s, Yuriy Gagarin explored space in 1961, Cuban Missile Crisis frightened the world in 1962, Duke Ellington performed in Kiev in 1971, and President Nixon visited Kiev in 1972. I lived in this house during my secondary school and college years. I left the red-brick house to the West in March of 1977. Soon after my departure, my family and other Jewish families of the red-brick house followed my footsteps to the free world — the United States of America. And there was no red-brick house anymore. 

Memories of World War II and German occupation of Kiev for many years effected communication between various social groups and ethnicities in the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine. Jewish families, in fear of a possible new genocide against them, preferred to stick together, to choose their own, and somewhat mistrusted outsiders. Holocaust and betrayal were deeply rooted in their memories.

My grandfather Roman Umansky was captured by German Nazis and brutally killed in Nazi-occupied Kiev in 1941. He was betrayed by the Ukrainian woman who worked for him in his barber shop before the war erupted. She called the German SS on him for the reward of a small ration of food.

It was a shocking experience for my family, when my sister Rimma brought a Ukrainian man to our home as her prospective husband. This Ukrainian man, Anatoly, asked my father, in a traditional way, for his permission to marry my sister. Initially, my parents were reluctant to accept Anatoly.

Recognizing my parents hesitation, my sister cried out, “There are many stars in the sky. But I don’t want many stars, I want only one, this one.”

Later, we had a family meeting, discussing Anatoly’s marriage proposal. My sister was not present in this meeting. My father Boris Dolitsky was emotional and indecisive: “I can say YES and I can say NO,” he kept repeating. My grandmother had the last word. “We will never forget who they are and what some of them did to us, but we must forgive them. Let her marry Anatoly,” she said, with a look of concern.

A big wedding took place in the summer of 1972 in Kiev, with nearly 200 guests attending, enjoying plentiful Jewish food, cheerful music and dances. In fact, my sister Rimma and Anatoly will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their marriage in June of this year. They have lived happily in Philadelphia since 1978, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

Today’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and bombardment of Ukrainian cities, including Kiev, by the Russian army is shocking to everyone in the United States and around the world. In many ways, it resembles German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. 

I cannot quite settle these atrocities in my head. I cannot predict what will be the final outcome of this war. However, I know for certain that this brutal invasion of Ukraine will hurt Russia and Russian citizens to its core for many generations. 

Indeed, Ukraine will be victorious in this war because they fight for their freedom and right to exist. And, eventually, Ukraine will emerge as a free European nation.

This brutal invasion of Ukraine will be remembered by many Ukrainians, Russians and others for generations. Nevertheless, when the dust settles, we must recall a great wisdom: “We will never forget who they are and what some of them did to us, but we must forgive them.” 

Click on this link to watch Alexander Dolitsky speaking to Alaska World Affairs Council.

Alexander B. Dolitsky was born and raised in Kiev in the former Soviet Union. He received an M.A. in history from Kiev Pedagogical Institute, Ukraine, in 1976; an M.A. in anthropology and archaeology from Brown University in 1983; and was enroled in the Ph.D. program in Anthropology at Bryn Mawr College from 1983 to 1985, where he was also a lecturer in the Russian Center. In the U.S.S.R., he was a social studies teacher for three years, and an archaeologist for five years for the Ukranian Academy of Sciences. In 1978, he settled in the United States. Dolitsky visited Alaska for the first time in 1981, while conducting field research for graduate school at Brown. He lived first in Sitka in 1985 and then settled in Juneau in 1986. From 1985 to 1987, he was a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist and social scientist. He was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Russian Studies at the University of Alaska Southeast from 1985 to 1999; Social Studies Instructor at the Alyeska Central School, Alaska Department of Education from 1988 to 2006; and has been the Director of the Alaska-Siberia Research Center (see www.aksrc.homestead.com) from 1990 to present. He has conducted about 30 field studies in various areas of the former Soviet Union (including Siberia), Central Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the United States (including Alaska). Dolitsky has been a lecturer on the World Discoverer, Spirit of Oceanus, andClipper Odyssey vessels in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. He was the Project Manager for the WWII Alaska-Siberia Lend Lease Memorial, which was erected in Fairbanks in 2006. He has published extensively in the fields of anthropology, history, archaeology, and ethnography. His more recent publications include Fairy Tales and Myths of the Bering Strait Chukchi, Ancient Tales of Kamchatka; Tales and Legends of the Yupik Eskimos of Siberia; Old Russia in Modern America: Russian Old Believers in Alaska; Allies in Wartime: The Alaska-Siberia Airway During WWII; Spirit of the Siberian Tiger: Folktales of the Russian Far East; Living Wisdom of the Far North: Tales and Legends from Chukotka and Alaska; Pipeline to Russia; The Alaska-Siberia Air Route in WWII; and Old Russia in Modern America: Living Traditions of the Russian Old Believers; Ancient Tales of Chukotka, and Ancient Tales of Kamchatka.

A few of Dolitsky’s past MRAK columns:

Read: Neo-Marxism and utopian Socialism in America

Read: Old believers preserving faith in the New World

Read: Duke Ellington and the effects of Cold War in Soviet Union on intellectual curiosity

Read: United we stand, divided we fall with race, ethnicity in America

Read: For American schools to succeed, they need this ingredient

Read: Nationalism in America, Alaska, around the world

Read: The case of the ‘delicious salad’

Read: White privilege is a troubling perspective

Read: Beware of activists who manipulate history for their own agenda

Read: Alaska Day remembrance of Russian transfer

Read: American leftism is true picture of true hypocrisy

Read: History does not repeat itself

Read: The only Ford Mustang in Kiev

Read: What is greed? Depends on the generation

Read: Worldwide migration of Old Believes in Alaska

Read: Traditions of Old Believers in Alaska

Read: Language, Education of Old Believers in Alaska

Biden issues statement on Congressman Don Young

Suzanne Downing
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Biden issues statement on Congressman Don Young

On Sunday, March 20, the White House released a statement from President Joe Biden in regards to the death of Congressman Don Young, who died on Friday, March 18:

“I knew Don Young for a long time. He always stayed true to who he was and the people of Alaska he represented. Tough. Loyal. A consensus builder.

“He was larger than life, but always focused on Alaskans’ everyday lives. As Dean of the House, he was the longest-serving House Republican in history—but cherished photos of his legislation being signed into law by ten presidents, Republicans and Democrats.

“There is no doubt that few legislators have left a greater mark on their state. Don’s legacy lives on in the infrastructure projects he delighted in steering across Alaska. In the opportunities he advanced for his constituents. In the enhanced protections for Native tribes he championed. His legacy will continue in the America he loved.

“Jill and I send our prayers to his wife Anne, to his daughters and the entire Young family, and to the people of Alaska.”

Biden ordered the flag over the White House lowers in Young’s honor. The two men served in Washington, D.C. concurrently for decades, although Young remained in the House. Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, just weeks after the plane carrying Alaska Congressman Nick Begich went down en route from Anchorage to Juneau. Congressman Young was elected during a special election in early 1973, and sworn in on March 14, 1973. Later in life, Biden was vice president to President Barack Obama and then became president in 2020. Biden is 79 years old; Don Young would have turned 89 in June.

Tributes to Congressman Don Young: ‘His word was his bond’

Perfect storm: Elections Division is in a tight spot with Ballot Measure 2, staff shortage, and national paper deficit

Suzanne Downing
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Perfect storm: Elections Division is in a tight spot with Ballot Measure 2, staff shortage, and national paper deficit

With a special election that by law must be held within 60-90 days of the passing of Congressman Don Young, the Alaska Division of Elections has many challenges in the days ahead.

One of those challenges is finding enough people to work an election around the state at the same time fishing, tourism, and the summer economy flush with CARES Act and federal infrastructure spending in Alaska will have workers in high demand.

But there’s another problem: Governments around the country are having to place orders months in advance to get the paper needed for ballots and other voting-related material. It could throw an additional monkey wrench into the already complicated voting situation in Alaska in 2022, with the untimely death of Congressman Young, which has triggered two elections to be held in quick succession to choose a temporary replacement for him in Congress.

Supply chain problems are being blamed for the paper shortage, said Ford Bowers, President & CEO of the Printing United Alliance, who told Business Insider that it’s “not going to be resolved all on its own.”

“The supply chain is a huge issue right now,” said Dean Logan, the registrar of voters for Los Angeles County, the largest local elections jurisdiction in the country, according to Politico. “Just getting the paper supply and having that available for the printed materials for elections requires more of a lead time than we’ve ever seen before.”

In the Mat-Su Borough, the borough is struggling to get enough paper for its upcoming special election, sources say.

Texas limited the number of voter registration forms it was providing in January, in advance of the March primary, according to the Texas Tribune.

“The secretary of state’s office says it has been forced to limit the amount of forms it gives out to no more than 2,000 per request, which has affected groups that help people register to vote,” the newspaper reported.

Politico is reporting that local officials are calling for more funding from Congress to make sure they can meet their needs, and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), the ranking member of the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over voting issues, convened a roundtable on the “ballot paper supply shortage” on Friday with vendors, election officials and others.

The Dunleavy Administration is expected to announce on Monday when the special election will be for filling the seat of Congressman Young, who passed away on Friday. The 60-90 window for the special primary election is followed by a special general election in another 60+ days. Ballots for the special election must be printed at least 45 days before the election because, by statute, “Ballots are mailed to active Uniformed Service, Merchant Marines, Commissioned Corps members, spouses and dependents and U.S. citizens temporarily or permanently living overseas beginning 45 days prior to each Primary and General Election Day.”

Sources say Gov. Mike Dunleavy is convening a meeting of members of his team and Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer today to try to figure out a path forward to avoid the train wreck that appears to be developing. Exacerbating the problem is that the new ranked choice voting law passed by voters means that it will take at least two weeks before the results of the special general election are known for the temporary replacement of Don Young, and that will occur at the same time as the regularly scheduled primary election in August.

The paper shortage and the constraints of Alaska statute may have created a perfect storm for the special election.

As reported by Politico, a township in Michigan placed an order for 72,000 ballot envelopes in January, but has yet to receive them. Usually that small of an order takes just two weeks.

“We were notified that [our printer] is only allowed to order paper twice a month,” said Mary Clark, the clerk of Delta Township. Politico reported that her order of 72,000 ballots took one quarter of the printer’s entire stock.

Meanwhile, the Division of Elections is currently holding a ranked choice voting exercise to come up with the 2022 version of the “I have voted” stickers that it produces. You can vote for your favorite stickers and practice your ranked choice voting skills.

The Division of Elections is also busy sending out new voter identification cards to all eligible voters in May. Voters are being asked to update their information at this link.

With Ballot Measure 2, Alaska won’t have any representation in Congress until mid- to late-August

Don Young’s remains flown to Washington, D.C.

Suzanne Downing
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Don Young’s remains flown to Washington, D.C.

On a flight from Seattle this morning, Alaska’s lone congressman made his final trip to the U.S. Capitol. A regularly scheduled Alaska Airlines jet transported the casket carrying Congressman Don Young’s body.

As his casket was brought out to the jet for loading into the cargo hold, members of the Port of Seattle Fire and Rescue lined up and saluted as he passed by. Anne Young, the congressman’s widow, placed her hand on his casket just before it traveled the ramp into the hold.

Alaska Airlines provided a patriotic-themed jet for Congressman Don Young’s final flight to the nation’s capital, where at the White House and the Capitol the flags are at half-staff.

Alaska Airlines swapped out aircraft and used a patriotic-themed jet for Young’s voyage on Sunday. In Washington, D.C. a flag flew half-staff over the White House. Arrangements are being made to have Young lie in repose in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.

A memorial for Young that includes family members and members of Congress is being planned, and a second D.C. event is also being organized for friends and associates, and for anyone from around the country who wishes to fly back to Washington. A church memorial service in Anchorage at Anchorage Baptist Temple is also in the works for when his remains are brought home to the state he served since 1973. Members of his staff and previous members of his staff are involved in the planning of these events.

Breaking: Don Young, Alaska’s congressman, has passed

Notes from Homer: Packed with Republicans, endorsing Begich, learning about ranked choice voting, getting ready for state convention

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Notes from Homer: Packed with Republicans, endorsing Begich, learning about ranked choice voting, getting ready for state convention

By CASSIE LAWVER

With 102 Republicans in attendance, District 6 Convention — Homer, Alaska — was a picture of momentum for Republicans as they ready to go to the state convention in April. 

Republicans came from across the district to Regent Life Church to listen to the candidates and participate in reviewing the Republican policy planks.

The morning opened with a moment of silence for the late Congressman Don Young, followed by an opening pray by Pastor Mark Edens and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Lauren Simpson.

District Chair George Hall, Vice Chair Charlie Franz, and bonus vote Cassie Lawver reviewed the agenda and talked about the district election and state convention. This was followed by Ranked Choice Voting education from Dr. Fred Von Bennekom.

District 6 attracted all the Republican candidates who will be on this year’s ballot. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor in attendance included Chris Kurka and Paul Hueper; Gov. Mike Dunleavy, and appearing by video was Charlie Pierce with his pick for Lt. Governor Edie Grunwald appearing in person.  

Rep. Sarah Vance was also in attendance and received a standing ovation as she walked to the podium to speak. District 6 Republicans were excited to hear of she is seeking re-election.  

U.S. House candidate Nick Begich attended and spoke about his time as campaign co-chair for the late Congressman Young. Later, District 6 voted to endorse Nick Begich in his run for the US House Seat.  

U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka was unable to attend in person, but sent a video and said she plans on attending District 6’s next meeting.

With everyone seemingly confused about Ranked Choice Voting, Cassie Lawver introduced “Vote RED Rank RED” messaging. District 6 is planning to bring “Vote RED Rank RED” messaging to the Republican State Convention in Fairbanks in late April, and Lawver said she hopes other districts will use this message to spread the word on how to vote in this year’s election. She is willing to bring it to all the districts across the state.

In the afternoon, the convention broke into groups and went over the Republican planks. District 6 has a few changes it plans to take to state convention. District officers were also elected: George Hall will continue to be the District 6 chair with Charlie Franz as vice-chair. Cassie Lawver will remain the bonus vote and Jill Shimko was elected secretary. Ron Schmitt was appointed treasurer.  
Candidates said they were impressed with the turnout and felt welcomed by everyone.

District 6 will be go to the state convention in April with all 12 allotted delegates. The next district meeting will be in May with U.S. Senate Candidate Kelly Tshibaka speaking.  

Nick Begich wins two big endorsements for Congress on Saturday in Homer and Kenai

Sitka’s Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins to quit after a decade of service in Legislature

Suzanne Downing
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32
Sitka’s Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins to quit after a decade of service in Legislature

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democrat from Sitka, announced on Friday that he would not be running for reelection.

“I love Alaska and it’s been a tremendous privilege to represent my home of Southeast Alaska these last 10 years, he said. As I’ve grown older it’s come time to make space for other pursuits and parts of life. While I’m stepping away from the legislature, I care about the future of Alaska more than ever, and finding ways o positively contribute to Alaska’s future will remain my North Star.”

Kreiss-Tomkins was part of a group of tech-oriented people who started a Covid-19 misinformation website early in the pandemic and who marketed the website to policymakers across the country, and through the website fueled policy decisions that led to drastic economic harm across Alaska.

At the time, he was quoted in his college newspaper, the Yale Daily, as saying, “The economy is unfortunately ill-fated because of this pandemic. It is just a question of whether we want to reduce the fatalities by acting early, or suffer massive hospitalizations and unnecessary deaths and still have the economy suffer.” 

The website wildly overstated how many people would most certainly die in Alaska if lockdowns didn’t occur immediately.

Running for his seat is Ken Skaflestad of Hoonah, a Republican Native Alaskan and former Hoonah mayor. But Kreiss-Tompkins will surely have a hand in choosing his Democrat heir apparent.

‘Fake news’ prediction tool used for coronavirus policy started by Sitka lawmaker
Kenny Skaflestad files against Kreiss-Tomkins for House
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