Libertarians Displace Democrats on Alaska Campaign Finance Commission

Alaska state law says that the Public Offices Commission, which regulates campaign finance, is to have five members. Four of them are chosen by the two parties that place first and second in the gubernatorial vote. Because Democrats didn’t have any gubernatorial nominee last month, the four commissioners appointed by the two “largest” parties will be chosen by the Republican Party and the Libertarian Party. See this story. Thanks to IndependentPoliticalReport for the link.


Comments

Libertarians Displace Democrats on Alaska Campaign Finance Commission — 10 Comments

  1. I join J.R. Myers of the Alaska Constitution(al) Party in congratulating the Alaska Libertarian Party in having won vote(s) on the Public Office Commission. It is time 3rd parties such as the Alaskan Libertarian Party who have toiled long and hard in the political process to get some kind of recognition.

    On the other hand, it is sad, the Alaskan Independence Party is just withering away, because it appears to have leadership who do not care for its future. The Alaskan Independence Party has so much opportunity there in this unique state to build up a state party which could and should have more influence than it currently holds.

    Again, I suppose this is the paranoid side of me, but as I see the political and social conditions deteriorating in the lower 48 states, within the next 25 to 50 years, those who desire to continue to be able to live and practice their traditions, will soon learn that such will be illegal in the lower 48, and will be seeking, as the Pilgrims did over 200 years ago, to find a home where they might live their lives in accordance to the dictates of their conscience.

    Alaska is the only “frontier” left where political refugees can go. Why can’t the leadership of the Alaskan Independence Party see they are THE party which can make a perfect home for those seeking political refuge.

    Why, I ask you leaders of the Alaskan Independence Party, will you not wake up and be ready to serve those who need you?

  2. They probably never intended for this to happen.

    There are five members who are appointed for 5-year staggered terms, with one member’s term coming up for appointment each year. A member from the same party may not be appointed in consecutive years.

    A Democrat’s term ends in 2015, so a Libertarian will be appointed to serve from 2015-2020. The party central committee submits 4 names, with the governor appointing one.

    A Republican’s term ends in 2016, but a 2nd Libertarian can’t be appointed until 2017, so this will be another Republican.

    The 2nd Democrat’s term ends in 2017, and will be replaced by a Libertarian. He will server from 2017-2022.

    Another Republican will be appointed in 2018.

    In 2019, the “public member” term ends. The four other commissioners, which at that point will be two Democrats and two Libertarians, submit a name to the governor who will either appoint their choice, or reject it, and have them submit another name. The public member will serve until 2024.

    So there will be a Libertarian member of the commission until 2022, and an indirectly influenced member until 2024 (9-1/2 years after the election).

    An irony is that in Alaska the chief elections officer is a Democrat. In Alaska, the Lieutenant Governor is the chief elections officer (Alaska does not have an office Secretary of State). The reason the Democrats did not have a gubernatorial nominee is that the person chosen in the primary switched to becoming the running mate of Republican-turned independent Bill Walker, who was elected. The Democratic Party chose not to name a replacement nominee.

  3. J.R. I thought you didn’t like the ALP and claimed on Independent Political Report that they were dying?

  4. The ACP & ALP have, are and will cooperate when, where and how we can to best serve the interests of the People of Alaska. Care Clift and I got to know each other during the campaign. We have more that unites than divides us. The state does not determine our freedom of association.

  5. Cody:

    I’ve tried to get Mr. Myers to tell us why he left the Alaskan Independence Party? If fact, as I understand, he was at one time the Vice-Chairman of that Party.

    Mr. Myers obviously has leadership skills. While not winning enough votes in his candidacy for Governor in 2014 to get the Constitution(al) Party ballot access for 2016, he did successfully petition to get the Constitution(al) Party on the ballot for 2014. So rather than spend all that effort for ballot access, why did he not file for Governor in the AIP Primary, which most likely he would have won, and the money and effort he spent for ballot position for the Constitution(al) Party could have been spent on his gubernatorial race.

    The AIP has a lot more name recognition throughout the state than does the Alaska Constitution(al) Party. As the AIP gubernatorial nominee, he might have pulled more votes than he did and made the governor’s race closer than it was.

    Again, I’d like to know why Mr. Myers left the Alaskan Independence Party, and instead run for office under the label of a party which many say is dying?

    Just doesn’t make sense?

  6. Mr. Myers:

    My reply of above is still waiting an answer?

    You wrote:”The ACP & ALP have, are and will cooperate when, where and how we can to best serve the interests of the People of Alaska.”

    If the Alaska Constitution(al) Party and the Alaska Libertarian Party can cooperate, etc., then why can’t you work with the Alaskan Independence Party?

    What is it about the Alaskan Independence Party (based on your reply) that you must not be able to work with?

    I see the Alaskan Independence Party as having great potential, but it needs good leaders. Your gubernatorial candidacy efforts – though not as successful as you desired – shows you have those leadership skills which the AIP could use.

    Would you not agree?

  7. AI,

    Thank you for your interest in Alaska. I was honored along with AIP Chairman Lynette Clark and others 12/30/14 in Anchorage at a United for Liberty event. We sat next to each other and talked some, Bob Bird and his lovely wife were also there. Bob and I plan on meeting soon to discuss the 2014 elections. Also, many ALP members were there, including ALP Chair, Michael Chambers who has done much work in bringing the Alaska Liberty movement together. So, there is positive movement in Alaska. This doesn’t mean we will reunite or anything like that, but WE WILL WORK TOGETHER WHEN, WHERE AND HOW WE CAN TO PROMOTE CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY IN ALASKA.

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