Saturday was a bright November day in Southcentral Alaska that came with an outpouring of election enthusiasm and support for both Donald Trump for president and Nick Begich for Congress.
At least two convoys gathered and drove around to show excitement for their candidates, with flags and banners flying. There was even one garbage truck that was festooned with Begich and Trump signs.
Also joining the convoys were “No on 1” (no to hiking minimum wage) and “Yes on 2” (yes to getting rid of ranked-choice voting) supporters.
Bernadette Wilson, owner of Denali Disposal and a senior advisor to the Nick Begich campaign, told the crowd that she’s been using her garbage trucks to lead convoys and freedom rallies ever since the Anchorage was shut down by the mayor during Covid.
“Got to love Alaska! Alaska is constantly at the forefront. We are leading even when the rest of the country doesn’t realize it. We’ve been leading rallies with garbage trucks, so welcome to the party, Mr. President!”
The Anchorage group, with about 40 cars and truck, gathered in a parking lot on Old Seward Highway and convoyed to Eagle River and back.
In Palmer, another group gathered and drove to Wasilla and back, with banners, signs, and American flags.
Mikaela Enswiler, with the “Yes on 2” ballot initiative, reminded the Anchorage crowd that ranked-choice voting had put a felon and a Hollywood actress on Alaska ballots, and that it’s time to vote “yes” to getting rid of the controversial voting scheme. This year, a felon who has never stepped foot in Alaska and who is in federal prison is on the final-four ballot for Congress, and in 2022, Shoshana Gungurstein ran against Sen. Lisa Murkowski in what appeared to be a reality TV show stunt.
Voting continues this weekend, with many polling places open Sunday. The election ends at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Due to ranked-choice voting, results may not be known until Nov. 20.
