Thursday, July 30, 2026
Home Blog Page 926

Bruce Campbell: My prediction for top four in congressional special election

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
-
14
Bruce Campbell: My prediction for top four in congressional special election

By BRUCE CAMPBELL

The top four candidates for Congress will be Republicans come Nov. 8.

Must Read Alaska has made a prediction on the top four candidates for Congress, so I will too. I mean, what’s to lose? There’s simply being wrong, and being wrong with the hugely fun MRAK crowd to hoot and holler over it. So here goes.

First let’s look at the numbers: There are 590,422 registered voters in Alaska. In the 2020 general election, a presidential election year, 361,400 actually voted.

But more importantly, in the primary leading up to the general, 133,569 voted, which is 23%.

Divide the 133,569 voters by 48 candidates and you get 2,782 votes per candidate. That is a very small margin, so turnout becomes hugely important, time already spent campaigning, endorsements, and the all important ingredient: volunteers. Those who have them are way, way ahead.

Who is going to vote? The 142,266 registered Republicans are motivated and energized. More than 22% will vote. I actually predict that over 50% will vote.

The 78,664 Democrats, having watched a new socialist “Workers’ Paradise” being carved bloodily out of Ukraine, will vote less

But both will have higher percent turnout than either nonpartisan (80,972) or Undeclared (259,634 = the biggest block of voters). Alaska Independence Party are voting stalwarts, all 17,861 of them. I think the same is true of Libertarians at 7,034. 

Who ‘ya gotta choose: The field of 48 includes: 16 Republicans, 12 Nonpartisans, 10 Undeclared, 6 Democrats, 2 Libertarians, one American Independent Party (AmI), and 1 Alaskans for Independence Party (AIP) candidate.

It is interesting that the Republican candidates outnumber the Democrats by more than 2:1, but are fewer in number than Nonpartisans plus Undeclareds. Meanwhile the Democrat Party endorsed-Chris Constant is going to be financially eclipsed by Al Gross. Frankly, Constant is likely to flash by, high in the sky, like a comet. (“Constant Comet” is that an ad?) What about the Undeclared candidates? All but unknown, as best I can tell. 

My favorite no-party candidate is Jeff Lowenfells, formerly a Democrat: He is a brilliant master gardener, who cares about Alaska, is dedicated and kept his gardening column going week after week for years, and who is truly dedicated to his view of Alaska. Oh BTW, he also registered as a Nonpartsan, and won’t gather enough votes to do more than take votes away from Constant and Gross. As I look over the list of N and U candidates, they will very effectively take votes away from Ds, and Gross.

As an aside, let’s be clear, each voter and candidate chooses to register for the party of his/her choice. You do not ask anyone permission to join their party. No party can withdraw the party membership from a candidate or individual. A party can refuse to endorse, give funds, or get involved in someone’s candidacy. Remember the time the Alaskan Democrat Party endorsed the Republican candidate: Sen Ted Stevens. And remember why: The winner of the Democrat primary was Theresa Obermeyer! I don’t recall any other State Party endorsing the other party’s candidate. Isn’t it fantastic to live in Alaska?

Back to our math problem. There is a large field of unknowns, some of whom may be brilliant, but I don’t know them. There are few, a precious few, better known candidates. Time is astoundingly short. Pollsters must focus on determining the known candidates to guess voter preferences. While this is the normal polling metric, I don’t think it applies in this crazy election for Congress. I think it is important to look at how factions build or dilute their base, and how energized each base really is. Lots of Republicans may build interest in Republican candidates. Fewer Democrats may serve to dilute their weakened voter base.

How many votes do candidates need to win the primary? Less than 30,000. How many will they get? This is where the fun starts. I’m sure someone could make pretty good money setting up a betting system for this race!

We know voters registered as Nonpartisan or Undeclared largely vote for Republican or Democrat candidates. They may just want to flit in the wind, flopping whatever way they choose at the last minute, or they may have public jobs where a party affiliation is perceived to be undesirable. We do know they don’t register as Nonpartisan of Undeclared planning to vote for the Nonpartsan or Undeclared candidate, because there rarely is one. I think all the Republican candidates will draw strongly from the U and N voters. L’s and AIP will split, half going to L and AIP candidates and half going to Republican candidates.

Ballots will be mailed to voters April 27, a week from now. They have to be postmarked for return by June 11th. The many last minute candidates are time challenged. Few are competitive with candidates who have been running for some time, building endorsements and volunteers.

For example, if Gross filed as a Nonpartisan to conceal his perceived association with Democrats, it will cost him added time and effort to reach Democrat voters and get their votes. Time spent jet setting about the Lower 48, holding highly profitable fundraisers in the homes of the very wealthy, is time not spent advertising or campaigning. (One gets the sense, from his last campaign, that he enjoys the fundraising part of being a candidate.)

So here are my numbers for the Special Election Primary mail-in ballot. I will assume the increased interest for this direct mail election will increase turnout to 160,000 voters. The turnout will be highest among Republicans. My party breakdown is R = 75,000 R, D = 25,000, N = 12,000, U = 30,000, L = 6,000, AIP = 12,000. I see the Democrat Party’s smaller base and lower turnout resulting in it being even harder for a D candidate to advance in the Jungle Primary system.

I selected the top five Republican candidates among those I know, those who have been running, and those with experience winning significant campaigns in Alaska. I also count more Nonpartisan and Undeclared voters going for Republican candidates than Democrats or Nonpartisans. Feel free to substitute other Rs and yes, that will draw down Republican numbers, but most will draw from Ns and U’s.

My tally:

Nick Begich (R) = 28,000, (Longest candidacy, greatest number of volunteers, endorsements)

Tara Sweeney (R) = 26,000, (Strong rural vote, will draw D’s, as well as N’s and U’s)

Sarah Palin (R) = 25,000 votes, (Very strong draw of N’s, U’s, fewer already committed R’s)

Joshua Revak (R) 18,000, (Must also draw from remaining uncommitted R’s, will draw N & U.)

Al Gross (N) 16,000, (Mostly D’s, many N’s and U’s)

Christopher Constant (D) = 14,000 (D’s, U’s)

Jeff Lowenfels (N) = 8,000 (D, N, & U)

John Coghill (R)= 5,000 (L’s, N’s, U’s, some D’s, many R’s)

Chris Bye (L) =  4,000 (L)

Andrew Halcro (N) = 4,000 (D, U)

Adam Wool (D) = 3,000 (D, U)

Emil Notti (D) = 2,000 (D, U, N)

Tim Beck (U) = 2,000 (D, U) (Yes, I predict Tim beats Santa.)

Santa Claus (U) = 1,000 (D, U)

The remaining 40 candidates get fewer than 4,000 votes.

Total = 160,000 votes.

Lots of candidates shaves the totals for the most active candidates. Can the most active candidates bring in voters who would not otherwise bother to participate in a non-presidential year election? Maybe for the party not in power = Republicans. This election is about turnout, turnout, turnout!

Qualifier: Top 4 Republicans only works if the Republicans play nice in the sandbox, as Alex Gimarc has brilliantly explained. The media wants mayhem, hands tied, shot in the head. But candidates can, for example, give the answer they want to what ever question the media asks. Best answer: “Why thanks for asking who my second choice will be on the Ranked Choice Ballot.” Then simply say something nice about your second choice Republican.

Sarah could say: “I think Tara is a great second choice, her experience in the Trump Administration blah, blah and her name ‘Tara’ rhymes with Sarah.”

Nick could say: “I would choose Sarah as my second choice candidate, because Mama Bear will teach Alaskans to say ‘Ew, Gross.'”

Revak, Coghill, other fantastic individuals who have been willing to put their name in as Republicans, could easily compete for attention by finding better, funnier ways of dinging the D or N candidates.

A key point from this exercise is how few votes one needs to reach the top four in November. Not even 30,000 votes. Does it mean D’s will try to harvest ballots? Fake signatures? Well frankly, they will have to do so in such large numbers it will take a lot of work for the free lunch crowd! 

“Playing nice,” of course, is strictly limited to fellow Republicans, and only in the special Primary. We can expect Palin to go, well full-on Mama Bear when it comes to Democrats like Constant, and any other D, N, or U candidate whose head pops up above the rail. 

The special election ends and we then vote for the temporary Congressman using the ranked choice system. Most importantly, the top four candidates in the special primary will be known to voters in the Aug. 16 primary. Voters will possibly advance the same four to the general election Nov. 8.

Congressman Don Young would love to know that the special election winner will attain several months seniority over other Congressmen elected in 2022! 

These numbers are laid out for your enjoyment. My 40 years or more of door to door canvasing for candidates doesn’t give me any crystal ball to predict the future. I have full confidence MRAK readers will get a good laugh as they offer their own prediction.

4-20: House passes bill to make old cannabis convictions invisible on court records

Suzanne Downing
-
19
4-20: House passes bill to make old cannabis convictions invisible on court records

HB 246, a bill that would restrict the release of marijuana conviction records of people that occurred before Alaska laws were loosened, was passed by the Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill, now heading to the Senate, would make confidential the records of individuals who have been convicted of minor marijuana crimes, so long as they were not convicted of any other crimes in the same incident. Their pot records would automatically be removed from Court View, the online database for criminal and civil court proceedings. The records would also be removed from some background checks administered by the Department of Public Safety, if requested by the convicted individual.

Alaskans voted in 2014 to legalize the cultivation, sale, and possession of marijuana for those 21 years old or older. Despite this change in state law, some Alaskans remain blocked from employment and housing due to previous marijuana possession convictions that would not be a crime today.

According to a report prepared by Legislative Research, there were more than 700 Alaskans convicted of low-level marijuana crimes between 2007 and 2017. Those convictions can make obtaining housing and gainful employment challenging.

The legislation would allow those previously convicted to move on with their lives.

The bill passed 30-8, with pundits in the Capitol noting that the bill had been delayed since being referred to Rules Committee, not appearing on the House floor unit April 20, or 4-20, a date known by cannabis users as a time to imbibe and celebrate.

Alaska Native women’s coalition endorses Murkowski

Suzanne Downing
-
36
Alaska Native women’s coalition endorses Murkowski

Alaska Native women leaders from across the state voiced their support for Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) re-election. In making their endorsements, this coalition emphasized Murkowski’s ability to effectively represent a diverse range of priorities while respecting indigenous values. 

“I am grateful for the leadership of Senator Murkowski, and deeply appreciate her respect for Alaska’s First People, her commitment to always vote her conscience, and her willingness to listen. Lisa’s history of decision-making reflects Alaska. Our voters are predominately non-partisan and I’m thankful for a leader who reflects that majority in her policy. The coronavirus relief bill and the infrastructure package she shepherded into law are recent examples of the big wins she has consistently delivered for Alaskans. Alaska needs Lisa Murkowski in the U.S. Senate,” said Barbara Blake, Haida, Tlingit, and Ahtna.

“I will be standing beside Lisa as she campaigns in 2022. She has always fought for Alaska Native peoples and communities. Much like Ted Stevens, Lisa works with anyone—Republican or Democrat—who will help advance health and opportunities for our people. That is the strong leadership we need in Alaska,” said Sheri Buretta, Chairman of the Board of Chugach Alaska Corporation and Native Village of Tatitlek Tribal Member.

“I respect that Lisa’s passion is with Alaska, always. As she wrestles with difficult votes, she listens to Alaskans, and does what’s right for Alaskans—no matter which party is in control. With the recent passing of Representative Don Young, Lisa Murkowski is now Alaska’s most senior voice in Congress. We need Lisa in the U.S. Senate,” said Andrea Gusty, Deg Xinag and Yup’ik.

“Senator Murkowski has long championed the rights of Alaska’s first people, our way of life, and our values. She takes time to understand issues, to listen with respect and empathy, and to have those experiences inform her deliberative decision-making. In voting her conscience, Lisa stands out, above, and apart from partisan politics. We need Lisa Murkowski in the U.S. Senate,” said Ana Hoffman, Bethel Yup’ik.

“Working in D.C. 19 years ago, I was so impressed when I saw Senator Murkowski speaking loudly and clearly on behalf of Alaska Natives on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. She has continued to fight courageously for everyone in our state, and as an Alaska Native woman I could not be prouder to support her,” said Joy Huntington, CEO of Uqaqti Consulting and Koyukon Athabascan, Manley Hot Springs. 

“Lisa Murkowski is the hardest working person I know. She is tireless and will always put Alaskans first,” said Kathy Mayo of Eagle Village Tribe and Principal Manager of Kathy Mayo + Associates.

“Hope for a better future is Lisa working for you in Washington,” said Megan Onders, Principal Strategist of Arctic Geopolitical LLC and King Island Native Community Member.

“Senator Murkowski has always fought hard to ensure that all Alaskan voices are heard, from the far-reaching rural regions of our great state to the urban areas. That’s why we Alaskans have consistently voted to keep Lisa working for us in the Senate. Vote for Senator Murkowski, a voice of reason and experience bridging the gap and representing all of Alaska,” said Gail Schubert, President and CEO of Bering Straits Native Corporation.

“To be an effective U.S. Senator for Alaska, you need the capacity, depth of knowledge, and experience to grasp the complexity of the political and socioeconomic landscape of this state. Lisa has demonstrated all of this in her ability to effectively represent all Alaska—from industry interests to small business, from fisheries to subsistence users, from Alaska Native Corporations to Tribes, from educators to parents, from urban to rural. Lisa has an incredible gift for considering all sides of an issue before arriving at decisions that impact Alaskans. I trust and respect Lisa and she is who I want representing our children’s interests in Congress,” said Greta Schuerch, Inupiaq, Kobuk River.

“Lisa is a champion for Alaskan families and communities. As an Alaskan born and raised in Bristol Bay, a business owner in Anchorage, and as someone who works in industry, I can say without a doubt that Lisa Murkowski’s leadership in policy and appropriations literally impacts every community, sector, and family in our state. I’m proud to call her my senator and will stand with her in 2022,” said Kristina Woolston, Bristol Bay Native Corporation Shareholder.

Murkowski has been Alaska’s senator since being appointed by Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2002. She is not endorsed by the Republican Party, which has chosen Kelly Tshibaka as its preferred candidate. With a jungle primary and ranked choice voting in the general election, the new voting scheme that was approved with Ballot Measure 2 favors Murkowski, who was not able to win in a Republican primary. The ballot measure was designed by Murkowski’s top insiders and marketed to Alaskans with $7 million in dark money from outside the state.

Breaking: Palmer recall results so far show landslide for removal of the Palmer Three

Suzanne Downing
-
48
Breaking: Palmer recall results so far show landslide for removal of the Palmer Three

About 20 people gathered in the upstairs of the Palmer Alehouse to wait for the results of the special election to recall three members of the Palmer City Council. The polls closed at 8 pm, and when the numbers came in over an hour later, they cheered loudly — it was a landslide to recall the three who were on a special recall ballot.

The three had held secret meetings on Facebook in a closed group with a fourth council member, who has since left office. These meetings constituted illegal activity because they were not advertised or open to the public.

A group of volunteers organized a petition campaign, were able to get enough signatures to get a special election declared, and then campaigned against the three offending council members.

Of ballots counted by 9 pm:

There are 41 questioned ballots, according to a visual count. Some people came in from outside the city limits to vote, and were allowed to vote questioned ballots. Those ballots will be examined later.

In all, there are a possible 450 ballots yet to be counted. Volunteers say the votes are likely to split the same way as the votes already counted.

If they are recalled, the city council will interview applicants and pick a replacement.

Keyboard Cabal: Palmer recall election is now under way

Alaska’s Americans for Prosperity PAC teases huge announcement — who will they support for Congress?

Suzanne Downing
-
5
Alaska’s Americans for Prosperity PAC teases huge announcement — who will they support for Congress?

Americans for Prosperity Action Alaska (AFP Action-AK) will announce on Wednesday the candidate the organization is endorsing in the Alaska at-large congressional election.

The event is from 5-7 pm at the nonprofit group’s offices at 135 W. Dimond Blvd., Suite 119, near Saint Coyote Restaurant, said Bernadette Wilson, the Alaska director for AFP and the senior advisor of AFP Action. The announcement will be made at 5:45 pm. to the media, which has been invited to attend.

AFP Action is the politically active arm of the national group. Earlier today, it announced in Texas that it would support the re-election of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

“Abbott earned AFP Action’s endorsement through his support for sound fiscal policies, promoting a personal option to health care that people can trust, and other policies that will improve the lives of Texans,” the group announced.

AFP Action has been announcing dozens of endorsements nationwide over the past few days. Read about them here.

The group last year supported the election of Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. With its national resources, it can marshal volunteers to do door-knocking and other get-out-the-vote activities. Youngkin won handily over Democrat Terry McAuliffe, in spite of McAuliffe bringing in the firepower of former President Barack Obama to shore up his base.

Americans for Prosperity was founded in 2004 as a conservative political advocacy group by brothers David and Charles Koch. For the 2022 election cycle it has raised over $16 million that will be used to support the candidates the group has identified as economically conservative, in support of sound fiscal policies and less government overreach.

Must Read Alaska will be live-streaming the event on Facebook.

The announcement comes at the same time Sarah Palin will be holding a grand opening of her campaign offices on Old Seward Highway at Klatt Road, in the Ward Realty offices. Although the media will need to wait to find out who AFP Action is going to door-knock for this year, the candidates also don’t know because AFP Action, as a political action committee, is not allowed to coordinate with candidates.

There are 48 people who will be on the special election primary ballot, which will be in the mail on April 27 to start the process of determining who will temporarily serve in Congress until the winner of the November general election is determined.

New Must Read Alaska poll: Sarah Palin, Nick Begich are top two Republicans on the ballot for Congress

Surprise endorsement for Nick Begich for Congress comes from the heart of Palin World

Suzanne Downing
-
29
Surprise endorsement for Nick Begich for Congress comes from the heart of Palin World

In the race for Congress in Alaska, there have been many twists and turns. But through it all, every day there’s a big testimonial for candidate Nick Begich is posted on his Facebook page.

But the one posted on Tuesday was a real surprise — it came from Sarah Palin’s former father-in-law, Jim Palin.

Jim is Todd Palin’s father and the grandparent to the Todd-Sarah Palin children. Todd and Sarah have been recently divorced and it was not a good experience for either of them, according to those who followed the drama. Sarah is now dating a retired New York Ranger hockey player Ron Duguay. Sarah was also a late entrant into the race for Congress; she waited until April 1, two weeks after the death of Congressman Don Young, which occurred March 18.

Nick Begich, like Palin, is running in both the special election to serve as the temporary Congressman until January, and also in the regular election for the two-year seat, which begins in January.

Nick Begich all of a sudden in crowded race of competitors, signs Axiom campaign team, gets key endorsements

Nick is the young, conservative Begich in a family known for its aging liberals. His own father is a Libertarian and his mother is a Republican. In high school, Nick was a member of his school’s Republican Club. Through the years he has lived in Alaska, he has proven himself to the conservative influencers around the state, through his volunteer work in the Alaska Republican Party, with the Alaska Policy Forum think tank, and as a board member of MTA, one of the nation’s largest telecommunications cooperatives. He was the co-chair of Congressman Don Young’s 2020 re-election campaign.

Sarah is arguably the most famous Alaskan in state history, and comes into the race for Congress with higher name ID than even the congressman she hopes to replace. She has lived her life out in the open in a very public way, serving as governor, vice presidential candidate, cable news commentator, and even appearing as a dancing, rapping bear on a show called “The Masked Singer.” Polling by Must Read Alaska shows that she has a strong chance of making the final four for the Aug. 16 ranked choice ballot in the special election general. The special election primary ballot will be in the mail in just 8 days, on April 27.

Mayor Bronson pulls out all the stops for port funding with video illustrating the risk of doing nothing

Suzanne Downing
-
22
Mayor Bronson pulls out all the stops for port funding with video illustrating the risk of doing nothing

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is pushing hard for state capital funds to shore up the aging and fragile Port of Alaska, which is the lifeline for the majority of the state when it comes to goods and commodities. The port has been in decline for years.

Bronson says the port needs $1.1 billion to upgrade it to protect against a catastrophic failure in the event of a major earthquake. He’s asking the state for $600 million for its share, and Anchorage and federal funds would make up the rest to shore up the aging pilings and docks. The last earthquake in November of 2018 emphasized the need to do this immediately: If the 7.1 magnitude quake had lasted seven seconds longer the port would have failed through liquefaction of the clay soil it’s anchored in.

Bronson has produced a video to get his point across to the Legislature, and to emphasize to the rest of Alaska the dire need for the funding from the Legislature. In the video, he makes it clear it’s either a combination of funding to fix the port now, or it will mean significantly increased tariffs through revenue bonds, which would be paid by consumers. Also appearing in the video are mayors from around the state who talk about the risk to their communities if nothing is done.

Dems of East Anchorage call for punishment of Alaska Redistricting Board

Suzanne Downing
-
7
Dems of East Anchorage call for punishment of Alaska Redistricting Board

Democrat activists in Anchorage, including one who is a candidate for Anchorage Assembly, are challenging the Alaska Redistricting Board’s maps again, just as they did earlier this year, when they convinced the Alaska Supreme Court to send the Eagle River political boundary map back to the redistricting board for a do-over.

They’re so upset with the new map that they have asked the court to hold the Alaska Redistricting Board in contempt of court.

The three — candidate for Assembly George Martinez, Democrat activist Yarrow Silvers, and Alaska Democratic Party 2020 national delegate Felisa Wilson — say the new map is still gerrymandered. What the three want is for one more Democratic seat in Anchorage, although the new map already gave the Democrats more power in Anchorage. For the three Democrats and their backers in the Alaska Democratic Party, it’s all or nothing.

Occupy Anchorage: George Martinez states he’ll run for Eastside Assembly seat in 2023

The three activists filed a challenge with Anchorage Superior Court on Monday. Judge Thomas Matthews, who had rejected the first Eagle River political boundary map, which had a portion of Muldoon included, is considering the legality of the new map. Is it contiguous? Is it compact? And, importantly for the Democrats, does it give Democrats more power in the Alaska Senate and does it weaken Eagle River’s increasing power as a community? Eagle River has been growing, while Anchorage has been shrinking and the Democrats are interested in minimizing the Eagle River political strength.

“Despite clear direction from the Alaska Supreme Court and the Alaska Superior Court, and repeated objections from East Anchorage Plaintiffs, the public, and even members of the Board itself, the Board corrected only one of the two senate pairings that resulted in the unconstitutional Senate District K. As a result, the Board preserved, and in many ways exacerbated, the unconstitutional political gerrymander rejected by this Court. So long as the objectives behind the Board’s unconstitutional intent remain uncorrected, so too does the constitutional violations arising from them. The Board does not shed this Court’s findings of unlawful intent on remand. Thus, on remand, the Board’s intent to split Eagle River districts to increase the representation of the majority political party remains, and the only way to correct the dilutive consequences of this unlawful intent is to cure it. Approval of the Board’s evasive actions not only sanctions the Board’s unconstitutional conduct, it erodes public trust in the independence and integrity of the redistricting process, and in the protections afforded by the Alaska Constitution,” the three asserted in their statement to the court.

There is no compromising with the three, who have two of the Alaska Redistricting Board members on their side. The legal delay created by their repeated challenges could impact the upcoming elections; June 1 is the last day for people to sign up for the Aug. 16 primary. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews is the first stop for the redrawn maps; whatever he decides will then go to the Alaska Supreme Court for appeal. All that needs to be done in the next 43 days to meet the already published election calendar.

The Supreme Court upheld all of the other district lines drawn by the Redistricting Board. There had been several challenges, but the court only decided that the Eagle River Senate lines, as originally drawn, were problematic.

Now, the three complainants are calling for punishment of the Alaska Redistricting Board for contempt of court.

The filing from the three Democrats states, “The majority members of the Board blatantly and willfully evaded the remand order to perpetrate their unlawful objective. These Board members ignored the Court’s clear directive to correct the unconstitutional partisan gerrymander and instead orchestrated a pretextual hearing process that undermined the legitimacy and independence of the redistricting process. While East Anchorage Plaintiffs respect the “Herculean task” undertaken by the Board, respect for that effort does not shield the Board from the consequences of its direct and willful refusal to follow the constitutionally-mandated redistricting process. In Alaska, courts have “inherent power” to punish a party for contempt, “whether direct or indirect,” where “necessary to preserve the dignity, decorum and efficiency of the court.” Here, the Board’s conduct not only threatens “the dignity, decorum, and efficiency of the court”, it impugns the dignity of our electoral system and the public’s trust in that system. The Board’s knowing failure to comply with this Court’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law is contemptuous, justifying any and all court action necessary to bring the Board into compliance with the order…”

Redistricting Board votes 3-2 for Senate district tying together conservative fortress that encircles Anchorage

Kelly Tshibaka: Alaska voters say it’s time for a change in the Senate

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
-
38
Kelly Tshibaka: Alaska voters say it’s time for a change in the Senate

IF MURKOWSKI WON’T STAND UP AND RAISE HELL WHEN SOMETHING IS BAD FOR ALASKA, SHE SHOULD CLEAN OUT HER DESK

By KELLY TSHIBAKA 

As the Alaska Republican Party holds its state convention this week, attention will naturally focus on the 2022 elections, most notably the selection of our next U.S. senator. I’ve been running against incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski for over a year, and it’s clear that voters agree that it’s time for a change. 

Because of a new election law, approved narrowly through a referendum crafted and promoted by Murkowski’s political allies, we no longer hold party primaries in Alaska. All candidates from all parties will run in a “jungle” primary on Aug. 16 with the top four advancing to the general election, where voters have the option to rank their choices. 

The reason for the change is obvious. There was no chance that Murkowski would win a Republican primary, so it was eliminated. And there’s good reason for Murkowski’s friends to think that way. 

Because of a lengthy list of votes betraying Alaskan values, the Alaska Republican Party censured Murkowski and told her not to call herself a Republican anymore. I was honored to receive the endorsement of the party, and in the absence of an actual primary, I am proud to be carrying the conservative mantle as the true Republican candidate in this race. 

All this is because Murkowski is a senator who is owned by special interests and who casts votes simply to retain her popularity among the D.C. political elites.  

In fact, this is what inspired me to run against Murkowski. She cast the tie-breaking vote to advance the nomination of the radical environmentalist Deb Haaland for Interior Secretary. At the time, Murkowski even admitted Haaland would be harmful to our interests, yet she voted to confirm her anyway. 

Haaland, predictably, has gone on to lead President Joe Biden’s energy-annihilating agenda, which has targeted Alaska and killed our jobs.  

And Murkowski has gone a lot further in cementing her place as Biden’s CEO – his Chief Enabling Officer. 

She’s voted to confirm more than 90 percent of his cabinet appointments, including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who moved to reinstate the “Roadless Rule” which cuts off our access to the Tongass National Forest. This was a huge blow to our timber and tourism industries and was another Biden job-killer. 

But it goes back longer than that. In 2011, Murkowski voted for Obama’s federal judicial nominee Sharon Gleason, calling her “superb.” Judge Gleason went on to kill both the multi-billion-dollar Willow oil and gas project – and the thousands of jobs that went with it – and the life-saving King Cove Road, which would link people living in the Aleutians with medical treatment.   

The most recent affront was her vote to confirm Biden nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Jackson will join the Court with a record of leniency towards child predators and will almost certainly be an activist jurist, writing legislation from the bench. 

Murkowski’s full-throated support of Obama and Biden judicial picks are in stark contrast to her blocking of President Trump’s conservative nominees to the Supreme Court. Murkowski opposed constitutionalist Justice Brett Kavanaugh and attempted to filibuster constitutionalist Justice Amy Coney Barrett.  

Sometimes Murkowski offers the excuse that the results wouldn’t have changed even if she had voted differently. This is faulty on several levels. First, it reflects her belief that her vote doesn’t matter, and that she no longer can even trade her votes to benefit Alaska. Second, it implies that she considered objecting to nominees she ultimately supported, for which there’s no evidence. And third, it’s a clear admission that her votes do not represent Alaska’s interests. 

If Lisa Murkowski will not stand up and raise hell when something is bad for Alaska, then she should clear out her offices and make room for someone who will.  

Instead, she continues to fund our Alaska senate seat with dark money contributions from Big Tech, radical environmentalists, and leftist organizations from the Lower 48. 

When I am the next senator from Alaska, I will stand up for our resource industries and revive our economy. I will fight for our rights, like the rights of parents to be involved in their children’s education, our constitutional and 2nd Amendment rights, and I will vote for only constitutionalist nominees. I will stand up against the horrendous Biden policies. And I will always side with Alaskans. 

A poll for our campaign shows us beating Murkowski in November, but it also shows that 84 percent of Republicans, including majorities of both men and women, are with us in this race. An amazing majority of undecided voters and half of independent voters hold a negative opinion of Murkowski, as well. 

These are the people who tell me over and over that their voices are not being heard in D.C. But I hear them, and they’re all saying, “It’s time for a change.” 

Kelly Tshibaka is a born-and-raised Alaskan, and a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Alaska who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump and the Alaska Republican Party. 

1...925926927...1,806Page 926 of 1,806

About us

Must Read Alaska is news of people, politics, policy, culture, and happenings in Alaska.

Contact
4021 West Hill Road,
Homer, AK 99603

Op-Ed/Article:
[email protected]

Subscription: [email protected]

The latest

The Real Meaning of Privilege: Accountability, Responsibility, and the Cost of Dependency 

AK Voices 1

By Paul A Bauer Jr.  Are you tired of hearing the word “privilege” used as a weapon against every person who works, pays taxes, accepts responsibility, and refuses to apologize for being productive?  Privilege is not determined by skin color alone. Real privilege is receiving the benefits of a society while condemning the very people whose labor, taxes, businesses, and […]

Kyle Clement Speaks Across Alaska on Spiritual Warfare and Reclamation Theology

Faith Watch 1
There is a war being waged for the soul...

New Fire Station Opens in Soldotna, Ribbon-Cutting Marks Important Moment for Kenai Peninsula Borough

Local Alaskan 0
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 24 for...

© Must Read Alaska