Sarah Palin Is One Step Closer to Congress

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Former Governor and Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin is one step closer to representing Alaskans in the U. S. House of Representatives after coming out on top of a crowded field to advance beyond Saturday’s special primary.

Saturday’s special primary to serve out the remainder of late Rep. Don Young’s term saw 48 candidates in all competing on a single ballot in the first time Alaska voters used such a primary system in which the top four vote-getters would move on to the special general election to be held in August.

Palin will be joined on the August special general ballot by another Republican, Nick Begich III, whose grandfather — Nick Begich Sr., a Democrat — held the seat previously until 1972. Begich, who was endorsed earlier this year by the Alaska state Republican Party — had beaten Palin in fundraising leading into the special primary, but trails her in the overall vote totals by more than 10,000. (Read more from “Sarah Palin Is One Step Closer to Congress” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

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With a New, ‘Strategically Located’ Unit in Alaska, the US Army Wants to Extend Its Reach in the Arctic and Beyond

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The US Army activated the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska on Monday, reestablishing it as an Arctic-focused unit in what the Pentagon sees as a valuable outpost to project power in region, into Europe, and across the Pacific.

“We expect them to be masters of their craft in the Arctic warfighting, in extreme cold weather, in mountainous and high-altitude terrain, and we expect them to develop innovative ways of operating in this environment,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said at a press conference on Monday.

The two major Army units in Alaska — the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Wainwright and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) based at Fort Richardson — were previously under the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division. . .

The Army Arctic Strategy released last spring emphasized the need for Arctic-specific training and equipment and infrastructure that could support operations over the region’s long distances and tough terrain.

The Army conducted a “gap analysis” to determine what was needed and sought to address “near-term deficiencies” in its 2023 budget request. In that request, Army asked for $101.8 million to support the strategy by buying 13 new cold-weather, all-terrain vehicles, acquiring more Arctic clothing and gear, and continuing to winterize equipment, an Army budget official said this spring. (Read more from “With a New, ‘Strategically Located’ Unit in Alaska, the US Army Wants to Extend Its Reach in the Arctic and Beyond” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

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An Open Letter to Alaskans

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Dear Fellow Alaskans:

I acknowledge many of you are angry. Given what Alaskans have suffered during the last six years of government mismanagement, who can blame you? I certainly don’t.

My frustration and disappointment during the last two legislative sessions has been great. Opportunity after opportunity was put forward to fund a full PFD – and time and time again the majority of Alaska’s legislators decided to put their own special interests ahead of the people of Alaska. Each time I had the chance to vote for a stand-alone full-PFD, backpay on our stolen PFDs, or interest on that backpay, I did so gladly and proudly, even sponsoring some of the amendments that would have provided this restitution.

Two short years ago, I made the difficult decision to put my life on hold and filed to run for legislative office. This choice came out of a profound sense of frustration and anger with the political status quo. I was tired of politicians telling me one thing during campaign season but doing precisely the opposite once elected. Fed up with the excuses, I ran for office to reverse the damage done by those politicians, who with predictable and disturbing regularity, refused to stand and fight for the values you and I hold dear.

When I ran for office, I promised to be the fighter all those politicians refused to be. I told you the root of the government’s problem was wanton spending and criticized my opponent for voting for the largest budgets in State history.

I promised to be a staunch opponent of Big Government, and to do what was necessary to address the problem. I promised to take on the out-of-control State spending that was and is stifling our economy, killing our jobs, driving us into deep deficits, and let’s not forget, robbing us of our PFDs. I promised to stand up for the weakest and most vulnerable among us, namely babies in the womb, by fighting to end public funding for abortion (an issue that polling says nearly two-thirds of the country supports). And I promised to fight for a full statutory PFD with backpay.

In keeping with those promises, I made the decision to vote against the record-breaking $14.5 Billion (PFD excluded) abortion-funding state budget. This vote was in line with my campaign promises and kept me from joining the ranks of an all too familiar club of political liars and charlatans.

Because of the very public nature of the budget concurrence vote and some false premises that have been circulating about what the vote meant, I wanted to give you my reasons in detail for my “No” vote:

1. The 2023 Senate budget bill was the biggest in State history: precisely the kind of bill I identified to my constituents as the problem with State Government, and I stand by that. It was for this reason that I voted against the House version of the budget, before the Senate sent back their even-larger version for a concurrence vote. Clearly, it is voting for these kinds of budgets which will ensure final destruction of the PFD.

Does this mean I’m opposed to a full statutory dividend? Absolutely not!!!

In keeping with my promises, during my two budget cycles in office, I have fought tirelessly for a full statutory dividend, voting 32 times for a full statutory PFD, restitution for stolen PFDs, and even back interest on those PFDs, which were clearly taken from Alaskans unlawfully. I remain resolved not to contribute to the problem, and as such I will not participate in political games. I will not be bribed. I will not be bought. I will not be intimidated. And I will never be a voluntary hostage of the Big Government Cabal.

During my time as District 7 Representative, full statutory funding of the PFD with restitution has been my number one “spending priority.” My “no” vote on budget concurrence was not in opposition to this priority, but rather in fulfillment of other campaign promises to vote against bloated and oversized budgets and to be a defender of the unborn.

Note: in my opinion, the PFD distribution should not be an appropriation in the state budgeting process, but simply funded according to the existing statutory formula. It has only been done this way in recent years because of a bad court decision after thenGovernor Walker stole Alaskans’ PFD through the veto process. My interpretation of the Constitution is that the PFD is outside of the appropriation process and should not be included in our budget deliberations – this years’ budget concurrence vote is a great example of why not.

2. The 2023 Senate budget bill provided funding for abortion: It is unconscionable that
Senate Republicans in the Finance Committee stripped budget language barring statesponsored abortion funding – pro-life language which ironically was approved by the Democrat-controlled State House. Senate Republican leadership, joined by “Republican” Senator Josh Revak, then rejected an attempt to amend the bill and restore the Pro-life language before the bill’s final reading.

I subsequently made a public pledge to Governor Dunleavy that I would vote for concurrence if he would provide assurance to honor the intent language already in the budget and end abortion payments. However, the Governor ignored my repeated calls and requests for a meeting, choosing rather to negotiate with moderate Republicans and pro-abortion Democrats behind closed doors, most of whom consistently voted against the full statutory PFD earlier in the session. It is no secret that I consider The Right to Life to be our first Liberty, that upon which all other rights and freedoms depend and find their definition. I will not now, nor will I ever, apologize for prioritizing human life before all other issues.

3. The promise of a $5,500 PFD was always destined to be a “bait and switch.” This became clear shortly after reports began circulating of the Governor’s likely veto of at least $1,300 of the purported $5,500 total PFD being sold to Alaskans. This was a result of secret negotiations that the Governor was having with both moderate Republicans and Leftist Democrats.

The bottom line is this: Alaskans were never going to get a $5,500 PFD, regardless of whether the budget concurrence vote was successful or not. The Governor had already made that obvious by the unrefuted claims that had been leaked to the media: the $1,300 “energy relief check” (PFD backpay) was just not going to happen. By the time the vote took place, it was not clear how much additional PFD the Governor had agreed to veto in order to allow Moderate Republicans political cover in voting for a “full PFD”. I can only assume that these secret negotiations included a veto agreement of the PFD down to the Governor’s proposed 50/50 plan that he had presented in his budget to the legislature earlier this year. This would have resulted in a PFD that was well below the statutory amount.

4. The 2023 Senate budget bill was a raw deal for Alaska’s future. Imagine a precedent where politicians are required to vote for literally anything, so long as there’s a PFD attached. That is the future many are clamoring for. The Big Government and Special Interest Cabals are watching and taking notes. Don’t think they won’t try this again, and again, and again. Do you really want to send the message to future legislators that they must check their principles at the door if they wish to serve? If so, it is unrealistic to expect budget accountability, a place for conscience, restraints on government, and a place for the people’s voice in the process.

If you want real change, it is imperative we have principled statesmen, men and women who won’t be bought, bribed, or coerced. This is the only hope for our state’s future. It is going to take men and women of courage, character, and conviction to effect real change.

You and I both know the current trajectory is unsustainable and will end in disaster. Hopefully, we all want the law to be followed and the people’s resources to be given back to their rightful owners. My position on paying a full PFD, and back-PFDs with interest hasn’t changed, but I cannot, and we should not, accept a one-time payment at the price of all that we hold dear. We must fight Big Government together, rein in State spending, reduce regulation, and create a free and competitive economy for our great state.

I know you’re a resilient and smart Alaskan who cares about the future of our State as much as I do. I’m asking you to resist the temptation to buy the spin of those telling you that “you just don’t understand.” You and I both know what the score is. Alaska’s lawmakers are not “smarter” than you – they just have bigger egos. I trust that you can look at the current situation and see it for what it is.

We know that selling the future for a paltry moment of instant gratification is not the right path. Now is a critical time for us to unite and fight the Big Government and Special Interest Cabals. As we do so we can restore fiscal sanity, end abortion, permanently secure the statutory dividend, and win this war for Alaska’s future. But if we continue to allow those who “represent” us to compromise our principles, you can only expect more empty promises and diminishing returns. For my part, I will never apologize to you for being too Conservative and for keeping my campaign promises and I’m certain you wouldn’t want me to!

May God bless you and may God bless the Great State of Alaska!��

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Alaska’s Special Election Is a Template for How the Left Wants to Rig the Vote; Why Didn’t Gov. Dunleavy and his Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Work for Vote Integrity?

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Editor’s Note: As many Restoring Liberty readers already know, Alaska’s 2010 U.S. Senate race was plagued by unprecedented fraud. Governor Dunleavy falsely promised to clean up Alaska’s elections. One of his commissioners, Kelly Tshibaka, actually met with Joe Miller for the purported purpose of addressing vote integrity issues but, like Governor Dunleavy, she refused to seriously engage on this critical issue. Restoring Liberty believes this inaction raises very troubling questions about both Dunleavy and Tshibaka.

Next month, Alaskans will vote in a special primary election for the state’s single congressional seat, left vacant by the death of Republican Rep. Don Young in March. Young, the longest-serving Republican in the history of the U.S. House, was Alaska’s sole congressman for 49 years, so the election to replace him is in some ways an historic event for the state.

But it’s also historic in another way: it will be Alaska’s first ever statewide mail-in primary election. That is, there will be no in-person voting at all. Every single voter on the state’s bloated and error-riddled voter rolls was automatically mailed a blank ballot.

What’s more, there will be no verification requirements for these mail-in ballots. Voters will simply need to fill out their ballot and have a witness observe them sign the envelope. The state’s Division of Election has explicitly said it will not verify the authenticity of the signatures on the ballots. . .

By any measure, Alaska’s special election is a mess. But why should the rest of the country care? Because Alaska’s insane statewide mail-in election is a template for how the left wants to run elections nationwide. Democrats and left-wing activists would love nothing more than to hold elections entirely by mail with as few safeguards in place to prevent ballot fraud.

Indeed, Alaska presents a unique and in some ways ideal test case for the left. For one thing, Alaska’s voter rolls are a mess. As of 2020, voter registration was 118 percent of the estimated vote age population, meaning there were more registered voters than actual people who could vote (this problem is getting worse in Alaska; in 2018 it was only 103 percent). Making matters worse is a 2016 Alaska law that automatically registers residents to vote when they submit an application for the state’s permanent fund dividend. (Read more from “Alaska’s Special Election Is a Template for How the Left Wants to Rig the Vote” HERE)

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Alaska Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Kurka Hammers GOP Leadership for Kicking Fellow Legislator Out of Caucus

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Alaska House District 7 (Wasilla) Representative Christopher Kurka responded today to the House Republican Minority’s action over the weekend removing District 10 Representative David Eastman from the House Minority Caucus, and the Committee on Committees’ subsequent report recommending Eastman’s removal from the Rules and Ethics Committees, which was accepted by the House.

“The House Minority’s expulsion of Rep. Eastman from the caucus on Friday was as petty and sophomoric as it was unjustified and unwarranted, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Kurka said. “I would say to my colleagues, if you can’t deal with legislative debate or negotiate the rules with respect for others, then maybe you ought to find another profession. Representative Eastman did nothing wrong, and I won’t stand silently by and watch a political lynching.”

During the Minority Press Conference, the Minority Leader explicitly said, “I can’t point to any one incident” that precipitated the measures taken. Other members complained that Rep. Eastman: (1) Is a “member” of The Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership; (2) Proposed too many budget amendments; (3) Caused “disruption, confusion, and distraction” inside the caucus.

First, The Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership does not have membership, and there is no such group operating in Alaska. It is only a school that trains citizen activists in the same kinds of methods and tactics used by corporations, unions, and special interest groups that lobby the Legislature.

Second, it is hard to even know how to respond to the charge that Rep. Eastman is fighting too hard to hold the Democrat-led coalition accountable.

Third, the “disruption, confusion, and distraction” referenced sounds personal, and that is something every legislator must deal with individually.

Kurka concluded, “Ironically, Representative Eastman and I are the only members of the House Republican Minority to actually pass amendments to the State budget on the House Floor. I will never apologize for fighting too hard for my constituents, and neither should Eastman. I only wish the House Republican Caucus was half as concerned about what the Democrats and turncoat Republicans are doing to this state as they are about what we are doing to stop them.”

Photo credit: Flickr

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What Has Murkowski’s Vote for Deb Haaland Done for Alaska?

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Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was one of four Republican senators to cross party lines last year to vote for President Joe Biden’s activist pick to lead the Department of the Interior, New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland. More than 13 months after Haaland’s confirmation, Alaskans are paying the price for Murkowski’s approval. . .

Upon completing her first trip to Alaska, Secretary Haaland left with a “parting gift” of more Washington restrictions, declaring that millions more acres that were once open to oil and gas exploration would be locked under environmental regulation.

On Monday, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management, which is now run by an ecoterrorist, announced it would reverse Trump-era efforts to expand oil and gas operations in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, shutting off 7 million acres from development despite today’s urgent need to drill. . .

At this point, however, the announcement should come as no surprise. In October, the Biden administration decided to let stand a judge’s ruling to strip permits for the Willow Project in the same reserve. Approved under President Donald Trump in 2020, the 30-year plan from ConocoPhillips to develop five drilling sites would have been the largest single extraction project on federal land. . .

Murkowski has long lobbied for a “complete exemption” from the Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest, but Haaland has come out on top in this fight too. (Read more from “What Has Murkowski’s Vote for Deb Haaland Done for Alaska?” HERE)

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McCarthyism in Alaska

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There have been some interesting developments in the broken Alaskan House minority caucus. This is supposed to be the caucus of the conservatives, but there are only a few holding the line. These developments have culminated in an Alaska Republican party resolution that has set the stage to purge actual conservatives (those who do something, not just those who speak conservatively) from the party. Here is what happened.

The House was debating next year’s budget on the floor. As usual, there were many amendments to be brought up. The conservative ones are usually voted down by the democrat/rino majority, but sometimes to play conservative for their districts some of the libs will vote yes on one and it gets across the line. This year a new liberal scheme emerged from those in the minority who don’t stand strong on conservative principles.

A number of amendments were made by the conservatives that were pro-life, pro-gun and even an anti-vax mandate one. A pair of the faux conservatives did something not seen before, where they voted to table those amendments. This is the way to kill an amendment without letting it get talked about and voted on. Instead of letting the democrats vote against it and take the hit, they did the democrats dirty work for them. After their constituents let loose on them, informed of the travesty by Alaska Right to Life and Alaska Gun Rights, they hamstered an excuse out that they didn’t think “intent” language should be in the budget. Two things on that:

1. Intent language has always been in the budget, it’s part of how the legislature directs the money being spent.

2. They never removed any of the Democrat’s intent language, they only stopped any conservative intent language from being put in the bill that would have protected life, gun rights and medical freedom.

The bad legislators doubled-down and attacked the most conservative groups in the State because they had let their constituents know about their tactics. One, the most vocal, Kevin McCabe from Big Lake even made a House speech calling a staffer corrupt because they were involved with both groups.

This all then culminated at the 2022 Alaska Republican Party State Convention. A surprise resolution was brought up at the very end with no time to really digest it. It attacked the group Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership (FACL), a large political organization that has passed or removed many, many laws nationwide and helped many good conservatives to be elected. After some lies, the resolution finally got down to saying
“Therefore, be it resolved, that no financial support or party endorsements, from any part of the AKGOP, be given to any candidates who are practitioners of the egregious and divisive activist principles and processes of the Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership. “Let me tell you what the number one principle that FACL teach is: inform constituents of how their officials vote. Yep, that’s all that happened and that’s what they want to stop. They want no one telling their constituents what they are doing in the Juneau bubble. They’ve stated publicly before they are voting with an eye towards elections, NOT to hold up the conservative principles they campaigned on.

So, what does that lead to? Well now we have an incumbent protection program. Since any challenger will want to address the record of his opponent, but that is a FACL technique, the incumbent can try to get his party support stopped. This opens up a new McCarthyism, where you can be targeted because you hold strong to your beliefs and tell people what a legislator is actually doing. It’s also very subjective and ill-defined, and will only intensify divisions within the party.

I’ve been to many FACL classes myself, and find they are the absolute best for actually teaching you how politics works. The responses of those bad legislators are exactly what I was taught they would do when confronted with their votes. I, myself, will hold more of the classes in Alaska and continue to let people know how their legislators voted, and if that means that I have to lose party support because of my principles then I’ll live with that. At least I’ll be able to live with myself, knowing that I let people know what is really going on. While most reading this aren’t involved with the details, I would just ask you to support the proven conservative candidates who are trying every day to pass good bills and amendments, like the two being targeted directly by this action, David Eastman and Chris Kurka.

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McConnell’s Leadership PAC Announces a $7M Ad Buy to Back Murkowski Against Trump-Backed Rival

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s leadership PAC announced a $7 million ad buy Monday on behalf of Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is fending off a primary challenge from the Trump-backed Kelly Tshibaka.

So far, that’s the only Republican primary McConnell’s Senate Leadership Fund is getting involved in – with most of the cash being directed to six general election battles starting in September.

‘We don’t seek out opportunities to be involved in primaries,’ Senate Leadership Fund President Steven Law told Politico.

McConnell, however, has made it clear he’s behind Murkowski – who’s held her Alaska Senate seat for 20 years.

The investment is similar to how much she spent on her 2016 re-election campaign, CNN pointed out. (Read more from “McConnell’s Leadership PAC Announces a $7M Ad Buy to Back Murkowski Against Trump-Backed Rival” HERE)

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Sarah Palin Revives Comment She Can ‘See Russia’ From Alaska

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Sarah Palin, the former Republican governor of Alaska, is reminding voters that you “can see Russia” from her home state—reviving a remark that drew mockery when she unsuccessfully campaigned as former GOP Presidential candidate Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate in 2008. . .

Speaking on former Trump White House official Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast on Thursday, Palin complained about the situation at the southern border and then referred to Alaska’s proximity to Russia.

“When you’re talking about what’s going on at the border—the non-existent border,” Palin said, “that reminds me how important it is, that all Alaskans realize it. Now Alaska is strategically located on the globe—as you know—you don’t laugh about the fact that you can see Russia from Alaska, and Canada is right there on our other side.”

Palin touted the “strategic location and the security we [Alaskans] can provide.” The GOP congressional candidate lamented that “those in Washington” take Alaska for granted. (Read more from “Sarah Palin Revives Comment She Can ‘See Russia’ From Alaska” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

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Sarah Palin Returns to Politics to Run for Congress

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Over a decade after she served as governor of Alaska until 2009 and was John McCain’s running mate in 2008, Sarah Palin announced she was running for Congress.

A statement from Palin began by referencing former Rep. Don Young (R-AK), who just died on March 18. He had been the dean of the House, as well as the longest-serving member of Congress. “I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for, because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America,” her statement began in part.

Palin’s statement referenced how “America is at a tipping point” and credited how she’s “watched the far left destroy the country” as motivation for why she’s running. (Read more from “Sarah Palin Returns to Politics to Run for Congress” HERE)

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