Posts

Open Letter to U.S. Senate Candidate Mead Treadwell

/6 Comments/in , /by

Photo Credit: AP

Photo Credit: AP

Dear Mead Treadwell,

We write you this letter as a follow up to our candidate interview with you regarding your interest in the endorsement from Alaska Right to Life Political Action Committee. We would like to thank you for your various contributions to the pro-life cause and your stated passion for protecting the pre-born.

We would like to be able to offer you the endorsement as an example of our new “standard bearer” endorsement policy. This policy change would enable every candidate of good character to receive our endorsement, provided they sign our pro-life affirmation and do not have a record that would be in conflict with the principles stated therein.

We appreciate that you indeed did sign our pro-life affirmation and that you are willing to address this difficult topic publicly. However, there are some concerns regarding your record that we must address in order to be true to our convictions and principles.

We have discovered over 30 times that you have contributed financially to the campaigns of pro-abortion (pro-choice) candidates. Granted, you may not have known at the time that all of the candidates you contributed to were pro-abortion. However, we do not believe that one gives financially to candidates without first vetting the candidates on the issues that are important to them. Our conclusion then must be that the life issue is not important to you.

During our interview you acknowledged that abortion is genocide. It is inconsistent to oppose the atrocity of genocide being carried out on the most vulnerable members of our society while simultaneously financing the very proponents of the killing (our research uncovered 3 monetary contributions you made to the political campaigns of Matt Claman, pro-abortion candidate and former board member of Planned Parenthood).

During your tenure as Lt. Governor you denied certification of the Natural Right to Life initiative by following the faulty advice from the office of the Attorney General. While one can sympathize with the difficult circumstances you found yourself in, we nonetheless believe that this was an issue that transcends worldly case law and was worthy to be made into a public dialogue.

Your behavior would lead us to believe that the statement you made to us during your 2010 campaign still rings true today that the life issue is “not number one” to you. We need a Senator in Washington who makes this issue non-negotiable and is not willing to compromise that position.

We also need a Senator who will work with us to replace pro-abortion Senator Lisa Murkowski when she comes up for re-election in 2016. Reports from the Federal Election Commission and Alaska Public Offices Commission record 16 contributions you have made to Lisa Murkowski’s campaigns for public office. Because of your commitment to financing Sen. Murkowski’s political career, including your investment into her 2016 campaign fund, we do not see you as the man who will do the hard thing of supporting a replacement of Sen. Murkowski. Regarding the 2010 election you also said: “I voted for Lisa in the primary and in the general, and I think Alaskans made the right decision”. Mead, how can a Senator who strongly supports the continued killing of innocent pre-born children be the “right decision”? Unless of course the lives of the innocent pre-born are of little to no importance.

We do not view (as we would hope) the above concerns as past mistakes but as an ongoing problem. When we asked for clarification on the issue of your financial contributions, you were quick to defend yourself instead of acknowledging your wrongdoing.

Because of these issues it is clear that your words are inconsistent with your actions. Scripture says that “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8) and that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Matt. 12:25). Alaska’s next US Senator will come under immense pressure. It is necessary to have someone with the strength of conviction and fortitude to put principle above political relationships.

It remains to us then to regretfully inform you that Alaska Right to Life PAC will not be endorsing your run for US Senate.

Sincerely,

Christopher Kurka

Executive Director

Alaska Right to Life

Alaska Right to Life Endorses Joe Miller for U.S. Senate

/2 Comments/in , /by

Screen Shot 2014-04-18 at 1.59.45 AMAlaska Right to Life PAC has announced its endorsement of Joe Miller for U.S. Senate.

The Executive Director of Alaska Right to Life Christopher Kurka stated, “The pro-life position Joe Miller takes isn’t merely a common political platitude, but is centered in the core of who he is. Joe will be a champion for the pro-life cause in Washington and is exactly the caliber of man we need representing Alaska in the US Senate. Alaska Right to Life’s Political Action Committee is proud to endorse him.”

Miller responded to the endorsement stating, “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Alaska Right to Life. Government has been given a sacred trust to protect life, especially the lives of the innocent and most vulnerable among us. This trust is recognized in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.”

Over 56 million babies have been aborted since the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe vs. Wade in 1973. Last year in Alaska alone, approximately fourteen hundred were denied the opportunity to take their first breath and become the people they were created to be. This national tragedy must end. 

The words of Thomas Jefferson ring through time: “the God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

“On the first day that I am sworn in as Alaska’s next United States Senator, I will co-sponsor Senator Rand Paul’s Life at Conception Act. Science now matches what faith has taught us for thousands of years: life begins when we are knit together in the womb. Abortion is the moral crisis of our time; and I will not relent in the fight to restore the right upon which all others rest: the right to life,” said Miller. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Photo Credit: Peoples Pundit Daily

Photo Credit: Peoples Pundit Daily

Alaska Senate Candidate Joe Miller Picks Up Key Endorsement From Pro-Life Group

By Laura Lee Baris.

Alaska Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller picked up a key endorsement Thursday from the Alaska Right to Life PAC. The latest endorsement underscores Alaskan conservatives’ lack of excitement over the 2010 nominee’s two challengers, Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, and former Natural Resources Commissioner and Attorney General Dan Sullivan.

“The pro-life position Joe Miller takes isn’t merely a common political platitude, but is centered in the core of who he is. Joe will be a champion for the pro-life cause in Washington and is exactly the caliber of man we need representing Alaska in the US Senate. Alaska Right to Life’s Political Action Committee is proud to endorse him,” said Executive Director of Alaska Right to Life, Christopher Kurka.

While Dan Sullivan appears to have a consistent money edge in the Republican primary race, with a recent endorsement from The Club for Growth, Miller has been endorsed by PACs who support issues near and dear to the hearts of the conservative base in Alaska. The Combat Veterans for Congress PAC endorsed Miller in December, and he received the endorsement of the National Association for Gun Rights PAC (NAGR) in March. The NAGR endorsement added to a solid pro-Second Amendment standing – which has become a top priority for conservatives — including the endorsement of the Gun Owners of America. Miller also recieved an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.

Now, with the endorsement of the key pro-life group, Joe Miller, who many see as an underdog in the Alaska Senate race, has defined himself as the true conservative in the race.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Alaska Right to Life. Government has been given a sacred trust to protect life, especially the lives of the innocent and most vulnerable among us. This trust is recognized in both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,” Joe Miller said in a statement.

Read more from this story HERE.

Pro-Life Message is Winning: 13 of 16 Candidates Endorsed by Alaska Right to Life Victorious

/2 Comments/in , /by

photo credit: steve rhodes

Contrary to much of the propaganda being pushed by some politicos, the pro-life message is a winner. Thirteen of the sixteen candidates endorsed by Alaska Right to Life PAC prevailed in the November elections.

If you think that is anomalous, it comes on the heels of a primary election season in which eight out of eleven Alaska Right to Life endorsed candidates won contested primaries. Included in that number were two now senators-elect who bested incumbents: Mike Dunleavy of Wasilla, and Peter Micciche of Soldotna. Alaska Right to Life did independent expenditures for both.

In the general election, Alaska Right to Life PAC funded two independent expenditures: one for Bob Bell of Anchorage who lost by a mere 59 votes to one of the state’s top Democrat pro-abortion advocates; the other for Pete Kelly of Fairbanks who defeated Democrat incumbent Joe Paskvan.

Alaska Right to Life’s efforts appear to be paying off with the formation of a new pro-life Republican majority in the State Senate. The House has a large Republican majority as well, but the jury is still out on whether pro-lifers will be able to move key legislation after House Speaker Mike Chenault invited five Democrats into the Majority coalition.

With a combined 27 endorsed candidates in both elections, and 21 victories, we at Alaska Right to Life want to pause and give thanks to God that we are one step closer to ending the blight of abortion in Alaska. If we can retain our gains, and replicate these successes over the next couple election cycles, it is our belief that we can soon close the books on this sad chapter of our State’s history.

Read more from this story HERE.

Alaska Right-to-Life Endorsed Candidates Win 8 of 11 Races in GOP Primary

/3 Comments/in /by

Photo credit: utsfl

Anchorage, AK – It was a good night for the pro-life cause around the state of Alaska. In all, eight of eleven candidates endorsed by AK Right to Life PAC won Republican primaries, with one race yet undecided in House District 6, where the incumbent Eric Feige holds a 114-vote lead over his pro-life challenger, George Rauscher.

There were four contested Senate primaries in which AK Right to Life PAC candidates were endorsed. Headlining the night was a pair of Senate races featuring incumbent members of the Pro-abortion Democrat-controlled bi-partisan working group. Both sitting Senators lost to more conservative pro-life challengers.

In Senate District D, Mike Dunleavy handily defeated Senator Linda Menard by a margin of 58.22% to 41.78%. Many expected the race to be much closer, but at the end of the day with less than 16% turnout, Republicans went resoundingly for Dunleavy. And in Senate District O, challenger Peter Micciche easily defeated incumbent Senator Tom Wagoner by more than nineteen points. Micciche is currently the Mayor of Soldotna. Neither Dunleavy nor Micciche have Democrat challengers in the general election. Incumbent Senator Cathy Giessel also won easily in Senate District N.

On the House side, AK Right to Life PAC endorsed in 7 contested primaries. Five of those races were in the Mat-Su Valley. Four of the five won by twenty points or more: Wes Keller in District 7; Shelly Hughes in District 8; Lynn Gattis in District 9; and Bill Stoltze in District 11. Incumbent Peggy Wilson also won by double digits in District 33. As mentioned above, District 6 challenger George Rauscher still trails by a narrow margin with 10% of precincts not yet reporting.

While two races were decided against AK Right to Life PAC’s endorsed candidates, there is good news even there. In House District 26 where our endorsed candidate, Larry Wood, came in second, the winner, Lora Reinbold, is also a strong pro-life conservative. And in Senate District C, where AK Right to Life PAC endorsed long-shot candidate David Eastman, the winner, Click Bishop, is also pro-life with some exceptions.

On behalf of Alaska Right to Life, I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to the winners of tonight’s primaries, and many thanks to all the pro-life candidates who stood up and were counted in this election cycle. May God bless you for your efforts. Onward and upward!

*****************************

Matt Johnson is the executive director of Alaska Right to Life.

Democrats control Alaska’s Senate even though the GOP has the majority

/1 Comment/in , /by

A majority coalition known as the “Alaska Senate Bipartisan Working Group,” is the controlling power in the state senate. The group consists of ten Democrats and six Republican members. So, although the Alaska Senate is under the leadership of Republicans, the Democratic controlled caucus effectively rules the roost and decides what bills are allowed to come up for committee hearings and before the floor for a vote.

Democrats Hollis French — Senate Judiciary Chair — and Johnny Ellis — Chair of the Senate Rules Committee — are prominent members of this controversial alliance. They’ve stopped tax relief for oil companies wanting to develop oil resources, thereby grinding to a halt resource development and economic growth through jobs that would have been created as well low cost energy for Alaskans.

Another consequence of this band of liberal Democrats and the Republicans who have thrown their hat in with them, is that they have vociferously stifled and blocked virtually all pro-life legislation. Two examples, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban (HB301) and Parental Consent Bill (HB364), were passed in the House but blocked from even getting a hearing by French.

The Democrat coalition comes into sharp focus when looking into the Senate Seat D race, encompassing District 7 & 8 of the Valley. Mike Dunleavy has pledged to not join the current “bi-partisan” Senate majority that is controlled by liberal Democrats. His opponent, incumbent Linda Menard, is a member of this liberal coalition that has turned our State Senate into a “graveyard” for almost all conservative legislation.

Mike has been endorsed by Alaska Right to Life PAC and Alaska Family Action Inc., Conservative Patriots Group and Alaska Outdoor Council.

Mike Dunleavy has a strong family background, extensive business and educational experience in our state and the Valley. Mike’s work history includes serving as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent; running the Mat-Su correspondence program; managing the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project; heading up the University of Alaska’s K-12 outreach program; and currently working as the President of the Mat-Su School Board.

Mike Dunleavy has earned respect and strong support because he has proven on a consistent basis that he not only “talks the talk” about conservative values and principle, but he “walks the walk.” Electing Dunleavy may very likely restore control of our state’s Senate to conservative hands.

Attorney conceived in rape to speak in Anchorage, comments on Akin controversy

/1 Comment/in , /by

By Steven Ertelt. Rebecca Kiessling, a pro-life attorney from Michigan, fully understands the national debate going on concerning the controversial comments Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin made about abortion and rape. Kiessling was conceived when her mother was victimized by a rapist.  [She contends that discussion of “legitimate rape” has no place in a pro-life candidate’s discussion of abortion]:

“If you are 100% pro-life with no rape exceptions, there is no need to question the veracity of a rape victims’ account, because you are against all abortions. It would not matter if a woman was not or not raped,” she stated.

While abortion advocates often talk about supporting a woman’s right to privacy, Kiessling says rape exceptions in abortion laws turn that notion on its head.

“Rape exceptions in the law actually put the government in the position of having to ascertain when the child was conceived, who the father is, whether the child was conceived during the alleged rape or during intercourse with her husband or boyfriend, and if the child was conceived during the time frame of the alleged rape, then the government would need to determine whether the sexual intercourse was consensual or not,” she explained. “So rape exceptions serve to perpetuate the injustice against rape victims that their accounts are to be viewed with skepticism, and it further leaves the majority of impregnated rape victims wholly unprotected under the law. Rape exceptions suggest that a “real rape victim” couldn’t possibly love “the rapist’s baby” and that rape victim mothers don’t exist.”  Read more from this story HERE.

On October 11, 2012, Ms. Kiessling will be speaking at the annual Alaska Right to Life Dinner in Anchorage:

Rebecca Kiessling is a Family Law attorney, adoptee, and home school adoptive mother of 5 children — the oldest two are adopted. She delivers a powerful presentation of her own life story, “Conceived in Rape: From Worthless to Priceless.” Rebecca was adopted nearly from birth and, like many adoptees, struggled with issues of value, identity and purpose. At 18, Rebecca was devastated to learn that she was conceived out of a brutal rape at knifepoint by a serial rapist. Rebecca believes her life was spared for a purpose, and has devoted herself to fighting for the rights of the innocent unborn and to raising her 5 children to know their own value, identity and purpose in Christ.

The sit-down dinner will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and the program will immediately follow. This event is being underwritten so there is no charge to attend, however this banquet is the most important fundraiser of the year for Alaska Right to Life and a financial appeal will be made. Register by phone or email.