Republicans in Eagle River have filed a second complaint with the Alaska Public Offices Commission about the campaign of Sen. Kelly Merrick, who is a registered Republican, but one who is out of favor by many in her district.
The complaint says that Merrick made intentional errors on her campaign finance seven-day report, listing the occupation of a donor as “N/A” and the employer as “N/A.” The donation was more than $500, and Alaska Statute requires the principal occupation and employer for such donations. The complaint says that “N/A” could mean a number of things, such as “not applicable,” or “no answer.” It’s too vague and thus is not an acceptable term under state statute.
Merrick’s campaign also took cash donations from a Donna Phillips. The occupation of Phillips was listed as an email address.
Another set of contributions raised a red flag. Three people donated exactly $69 in cash on one day, an unusual amount. One person donated $69 in cash twice on that day. It appears the campaign was trying to conceal a donation of $138 by breaking it into two contributions, in order to come below reporting thresholds. The complaint says the commission should look into whether these three were legitimate donations to the Merrick campaign.
The fact that it’s Republicans who are are combing through Merrick’s reports is notable. Another Republican, Jared Goecker, has filed to run against Merrick, who is married to one of the most powerful union bosses in Alaska, and thus has been seen as hard to beat. But her votes and behavior in Juneau have raised concerns, and she has not received an endorsement from the Alaska Republican Party as a whole, although one of her two House districts gave her an endorsement. The other did not.
Merrick and Goecker are running for the four-year term to represent Eagle River in the Legislature. Also running is Lee Hammermeister, who is a Democrat.
Merrick is two faced. I guess that’s what makes her good at politics.
Only the second????
Merrick cannot be trusted. Her ascent to power as with most corrupt politicians was simply that the stars line up for her.
When faced with an abysmal voting record, aligning herself with the radical left democrats, and living it up during the COVID lockdown on SOA property, Merrick wants your vote, while all along lying to the Good People of Chugiak Eagle River.
Easy choice Vote Jared,