August 23, 2025 Update from November 27, 2022—Believing a day will come when Alaskans will seek to know about the place future Alaskans never want this state to be again, this 60-year witness has been motivated to document the decline with now hundreds of stories. This updated story is about nature of the Alaska Gong Show jury-rigged elections, and legislature with predictable results for most voters who will never see what really happens in Juneau during AK Legislative sessions.
This month, the Legislative Special Session EXTRA PER DIEM Spectacle likely represents Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s last gasp for a meaningful legacy.
This writer once strongly supported Mike Dunleavy for governor.
This former story still rings true:
I wrote previously about Past Legislative Hopes In December of 2020 after an election that cleared out some deadwood and caused many to hope for a new commitment to the best interests of the people who voted for candidates representing voters in 402 Alaska precincts.
Then-Gov. Bill Walker Arbitrarily Changed the statutory PFD Formula
From that 2020 story: Alaska voters have experienced a learning curve as former Gov. Bill Walker and legislative majority coalitions decided to ignore the more than 40 year tried and true formula for distribution of the Dividend to Alaskans from earnings of the Permanent Fund. This was done to accommodate the public sector unions and other special interests wanting to buy more government. Voters saw some of these lawless legislators refuse to meet in Wasilla at a Special Session called by Gov. Michael Dunleavy–who is specifically charged with determining where any Special Session shall be held.
[1] PAST Legislative Hopes, DONN LISTON December 31, 2020 Live Links in References
Update Story 2022 Explored How Alaskans fell for the Ranked Choice Voting Scam
We know any candidate for the Alaska Legislature must be willing to drop everything in the AK community where they live and go to Backwaters Juneau for three to five months of what has become the Legislative Gong Show.
[2] Gong Show, Wikipedia Live Links in References only
This American Television amateur talent contest was known for its absurdist humor and style. Actual competition was secondary to the often outlandish acts presented with a small cash prize typically given to each show’s winner.
But Alaska Legislators get a BIG cash prize with salary and per diem for THEIR appearances! During his term Boss Dunleavy has built up cost of State Government including increased rates for elected officials, and subsidized housing, to build State bureaucracy and cavort with Special Interests in Juneau!
Each session of the original TV Gong Show presented a competition of amateur performers of often dubious talent, with a panel of three celebrity judges. If any judge considered an act to be particularly BAD, they could force it to stop by striking a large gong. Judges would then tell why the act was gonged. Any act that survived without being gonged was given a score by each of the three judges on a scale of 0 to 10. When the final score was announced actor Jerry Maren (a little person and former Wizard of Oz Munchkin) ran onstage in top hat and tails, throwing confetti while balloons dropped from overhead
I submit that Alaskans are entitled to at least this minimum entertainment ON THE ROAD SYSTEM as elected officials traditionally have served this sordid entertainment for mostly $pecial interest$ during the annual Alaska LegislatureGong Show (with NPR broadcast feed).
Background: This November 2022 story was written as real estate hucksters Bill & Brenda Borden, dba High Caliber Realty, Inc. (sic) had violated me and threatened my life. Bill had burglarized my exclusively owned Eagle River, AK home and stole an estimated $15,000 in personal property—including my entire Ring Security System—to make sure as an honorably retired Alaskan senior on fixed income I never again felt safe alone in my rural home. AK DEI Judge Pamela Washington ruled Borden was required to return those items within 10 days.
The order meant NOTHING and Dunleavy’s AG Treg Taylor did NOTHING to provide justice to this senior Alaskan harmed by these known professional Outside scammers.
[3] Happy Retirement Judge Pamela Washington, DONN LISTON May 10, 2025 Live Links in References
A retired bank branch manager, Cathy Liston usually left the entire floor laughing by the time we left her chemo treatments.
I had been set up in a confidence scheme by Bordens upon death February 24, 2019 from cancer of my wife of 29 years, Cathy Liston. This was the darkest time of my life. I wouldn’t wish that even on Bill or Brenda—despite after all they have done to me.
Alaska Sen. Arliss Sturgulewski married DONN & Cathy Liston in the Alaska Capitol on Valentines Day 1990. We were both well known in Juneau.
Alaskans once Stood Together in Adversity
I have long known many honorable Alaskan business people. Some have come to my aid in the face of this criminal violation by Bordens—who are also personal friends of Dunleavy and now governor candidate Sen. Shelley Hughes.
From a previous story: Windsor counsels that many Alaskans are better off to take measured steps to transition from Alaska through conscious choice–as he is himself also now having to do.
Thank you for your friendship and assistance in my time of need David. You have witnessed all that happened to me, counseled me well to minimize damage, and I look forward to the possibility of your visit here in PH in months to come.
[4] Transitions – Summer 2025, DONN LISTON/David Windsor June 27, 2025 Live Links in References
Dunleavy Missed Impeachment Through Hick AK-Politics
In 1992, the only other time the Alaska Division of Elections has considered a recall petition against a sitting governor before Dunleavy, the Department of Law hired independent counsel to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. In that case, Division of Elections director Charlot Thickstun approved a recall petition against then-Gov. Wally Hickel and Lt. Gov. Jack Coghill as she was authorized to do.
Thickstun was appointed by Coghill. Attorney General Charlie Cole was appointed by Hickel. So a previous AK AG Hal Brown was enlisted to set the Division Director straight about limitations of her position.
This was the petition THICKSTUN APPROVED:
[5] Attorney General Complete Response. Live Links in References
It Was a Spectacle
Thickstun said at the time that it was “patently inappropriate” to have the attorney general, who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor, appoint the independent counsel (to challenge her decision to allow the recalls).
After Thickstun approved the recall, the state sued itself: the governor-appointed Attorney General Charlie Cole sought to have Thickstun’s decision overturned by the court system. You cannot run a democratic government with the director of elections … setting off on a one-way frolic of her own, he said at the time.
Only AK Attorney Generals Can Do That!
Cole dropped the issue after others filed suit. Five cases were levied against the Division of Elections before a judge in Fairbanks ruled in 1993 that Thickstun was partially correct and the recall could continue. By then, backers had abandoned their cause, and both Hickel and Coghill finished their terms of office.
It was all Juneau Theater
Having an Attorney General appointed by the Governor challenge a legal recall of his boss is typical of the kind of bumpkin duplicity that has caused the State of Alaska to continue in steep decline.
From a previous story: The Attorney General position has existed since the early days of the Territory of Alaska, though it was an elected rather than an appointed position prior to statehood.
Why did this Change with Statehood?
Delegates to Alaska’s Constitutional Convention debated whether the AG should be elected or appointed, and made the wrong choice, according to former AG (2006-09), Dr. Talis Colberg, who wrote: Allowing the governor to appoint the attorney general and then house them in the cabinet creates an unnecessary set of problems. I think it was a mistake to make the chief law enforcement officer of the state an at-will employee of the governor.
[6] Alaskans Deserve to Elect Our State AG DONN LISTON June 2, 2024 Live Links in References
2022 RCV Election Results of the Absurd
Newly implemented Ranked Choice Three-Shell Game Voting has taken previous Alaska Division of Elections fiascoes to an entirely new level not previously imagined. As of Thanksgiving (November 24) this agency, run by Lt.. Gov. Kevin Meyer but directed by long-time Juneau resident, Elections Director, Gail Fenumiai, has provided official results for the Primary Election held August 16, and Preliminary Round 1 results of the actual vote held November 8.
This is the Juneau Swamp
As of this writing they are still counting the votes of people whose first choice didn’t get 50 percent so they got to vote again.
Brought to you from the Alaska Lt Governor and Division of Elections. https://youtu.be/GumWeVdcof4
Before Alaska became a Banana Republic the election results would have been known the same day—even with paper ballots–but like an obnoxious Infomercial THERE’S MORE, suckers…What we know:
Who THEY say ONE in Round WON
US Senator
Of 601,795 registered voters in the state of Alaska, 266,573 (44.30%) voted. 113,299 (43.37%) voted for Lisa Murkowski in the General Election. 111,283 (42.60%) voted for Kelly C. Tshibaka. Democrat Patricia Chesbro received 27,108 (10.38%) of the votes. Buzz A. Kelley should be very proud of himself for running as a spoiler Republican and siphoning off 7,534 (2.88%) in a race he knew he couldn’t win but could be long remembered as the buzz-kill who assured Murkowski’s returned to Washington, DC to help Joe Biden diminish Alaska prosperity.
US House of Representatives
This election Don Young got the last laugh. At the time of his death March 18, 2022 he was the longest serving Republican in congressional history. Every two years–over 49 years–Young left his home in Washington DC and made a tour of Alaska to see who the latest fool was running against him. He was our perennial Santa Clause and always won re-election.
22 people submitted their paperwork to the Alaska Division of Elections to replace Santa Clause in Washington DC; 8 Republicans, 1 Democrat, 4 Undeclared, 4 Non-Declared, two Losertartians, and one guy who didn’t say what he is but got 248 votes anyway.
The Democrat Peltola faced two delusional Republicans in the General Election and won. Dear readers, do you see how this works? Anybody with the 8th Grade math skills taught to graduates of Alaska government schools,—even Alaskans who believe Gov. Michael Dunleavy was EVER a teacher—but still care about the future of our state, should be able to figure this out.
Merry Christmas, Democrats .
For those hoping a competent person might now be in charge of the Division of Elections, the good news is Nancy Dalstrom is former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections. We know that operation is run pretty tight so perhaps we can expect something better in the future–but don’t get your hopes up. This is still Alaska State Government.
All senators ran this time due to reapportionment.
Breakdown race by race: Alaska Legislature-Senate (Elected for four years)
SD-A Old Southeast Alaska status-quo Republican War Horse, Bert Stedman gained 3,941 votes (68.79%) to Republican newcomer Mike Sheldon’s 3,941 votes (30.46%)
SD-B Nobody dared to run against Liberal Democrat Senate incumbent, Jesse Kiehl 12,715 votes (95.81%) in Juneau. This race also got 554 (4,18%) write-in votes–the most in the state.
SD-C Another old Alaska status-quo Republican war horse, Gary Stevens 7,851 votes (56.30%) easily beat both Republican challengers in this Kodiak and surrounding area district. Heath Smith 4,346 votes (31.17%) ran as a Republican who was happy for no closed Republican Primary and Walter Jones 1,616 votes (11.60%) ran as the “I can’t believe what they are doing to Alaska” candidate. This writer interviewed Jones and wrote a story.
[7] Regular Guy and Haul Road Trucker for Senate District C, DONN LISTON October 3, 2022 Live Links in References
WalterJones has been Homeless in Alaska and Since Built his Own Home Out-Of-Pocket!
SD-D Republican Jesse Bjorkman 6,950 (45.83%) beat former Division of Elections employee, Republican Party Chairman and longtime Kenai Peninsula activist Tuckerman Babcock 6,311 (41.60%).
SD-E Many celebrated when Senate President Cathy Giesel lost her last election to Republican Roger Holland. SAs Senate President she had punished Republican Senate colleagues who didn’t toe her line.
But alas, it appears Giesel 5,610 (33.64%) has edged out Holland 5,521 (33.10%) while NON (Democrat) also-ran Andy Cizek took 1,768 (11.66%) of the vote.
SD-F Republican Rep. James Kaufman 7,786 (56.48%) went toe-to-toe with Democrat Janice Park 6,466 (43.14%) and appears to have won.
SD-G In another toe-to-toe match, incumbent Democrat Elvi Gray-Jackson 6,311 (56.48%) beat Republican Marcus Sanders 4,821 (43.14%).
SD-H Democrat Matt Claman 7,857 (51.86) has the lead over Republican Mia Costello 7,242 (47.80%).
SD-I This seat formerly held by Tom Begich was handed to his aide, Loki Tobin 5,004 (66.41%)when Begich announced he would not run for re-election at the last possible moment and she quickly signed up. This maneuver should set her up nicely in the Democrat caucus. Perennial candidate Undeclared Heather Herndon 2,426 (32.20%) might need to find another hobby.
SD-J Democrat Forrest Dunbar 4,280 (50.02%) beat former House Representative Geran Tarr 1,434 (16.76%) while Republican Andrew Satterfield 2,800 (32.72%) made a respectable showing in this Democrat bastion.
SD-K Union lawyer and Democrat Senator, Bill Wielechowski 6,252 (58.04%) beat Republican challenger John Cunningham 4,484 (41.63%)
SD-L Union-owned Republican Kelly Merrick 8,489 (57.89%) beat Ken McCarty for the seat previously held by some classy ladies, Anna Fairclough and Lora Reinbold, who never would have bolted the Republican caucus for special interests.
Former Senator from Eagle River, Anna Fairclough recently retired as Director of the Permanent Fund Division at the Alaska Department of Revenue.
SD-M Repubican Majority Leader in the last legislature, Shelley Hughes 11,245 (75.82%) beat Democrat Jim Cooper 3,555 (23.97%.
SD-N Incumbent Republican David Wilson 5,113 (44.48%) easily fended off perennial loser Republican Stephen Wright 3,332 (28.98%) and Republican Scott Clayton 2912 (25.33). Wilson is a voice for dealing with the outrageous cost of Alaska Health Care.
SD-O Republican Mike Shower 7,365 (51.78%) was chosen by Gov. Michael Dunleavy to fill this seat upon his election as governor, and Shower has been a strong voice for his district. Republican and former Alaska Department of Fish & Game manager, Doug Massie 6,690 (47.04%) waged a strong campaign.
SD-P Fairbanks Democrat Scott Kawasaki 4,272 (51.14%) fended off a challenge by a serious challenger, Jim Matherly 3,509 (41.99%) and Spoiler Republican Alex Jafre 539 (6.45%).
SD-Q Republican Robert H. Meyers, Jr. 8,110 (62.59%) retained his seat in this district which previously had been held by John Coghill. Challengers to Meyers included NON John Bennett 4,001 (30.88%) and AIP Candidate Arthur Serkov 773 (5.97%).
SD-R Another Status-Quo Republican War Horse, Click Bishop 8,291 (526.73%) beat second-place Republican Elijah Verhagen 3,956 (27.07%) and AIP candidate Robert “Bert” Williams 2,272 (15.55%)
We’re unhappy with Gov. Michael Dunleavy out here and he knows it, said Keppel. We understand the law about residency, and we don’t believe our senator lives in this district, but the Division of Elections is letting Lying Lyman Hoffman run again. He will be 40 years mis-representing Western Alaska if he is re-elected.
[8] Western Alaska Deserves Better in Juneau: Willy Keppel Says He Can Make a Difference, DONN LISTON July 18, 2022 Links Listed in References
Alaska Legislature-House of Representatives
(Elected for two years)
21 Returning, 19 Replaced
This story was updated with explanation of final scam
From the story: For 2018 the Alaska Democrat Party changed its bylaws to allow individuals with registration of undeclared or nonpartisan to run as candidates in that minority party–proof the combined parties were never organized political parties at all, but only a bunch of special interests vying for political booty.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Confuse ‘Em
[9] Shame of Alaska, DONN LISTON: RCV, DONN LISTON, February 21, 2023 Live Links in References
Analysis:
The Lower Body of the Alaska Legislature saw an almost 50 percent turnover in this election. When looking at the party affiliation of members we can be assured anyone calling themselves anything but Republican will caucus with the Democrats. Past years when the split was closer the Democrats could always count on Republicans who had no loyalty to party to join them. (Stutes, Rasmussen, Merritt last session.) Loser Republican candidates who had no chance of winning have helped the Democrats tremendously. Anyone may discover who these candidates are by looking at election results from the Alaska Division of Elections.
[10] AK Division of Elections Data
Given these tentative election results this is the configuration we might expect for development of Majority/Minority Coalitions:
■ = Incumbent
*Rep. Stutes was Chair of the Democrat Majority last Session.
Some people proudly declare they vote for “the person over the party.” That is an ignorant statement. The parties establish the basis for candidate support and the most important thing Ranked Choice Voting has done for the Democrats is deny Republicans the opportunity to choose candidates who believe in Permanent Fund Integrity, less government, conservative economic policy and natural resource development. By making voting more complicated and tedious Democrats promote Permanent Fund Use for Government/Non-Profit services and simplistic issues like climate change, right to kill babies in the womb, woke ideology while targeting intelligent, productive people whose time is valuable with this subtle form of Voter Suppression.
Our status quo Republican party in Alaska is weak-kneed and has trouble fielding candidates who long to be professional politicians over having productive lives of accomplishment. The party enables status-quo weak-kneed opportunists.
Exception to this rule is in the MatSu Valley. where Alaska tradition is Strong
The Alaska Division of Elections says 602,420 people are registered to vote. Of those, 144,542 are registered as Republicans and 77,137 as Democrats. 266,085 are listed as Undeclared with 83,576 Non-Declared. Republicans are the dominant party over Democrats and have until this election cycle had the right to close their primary to only registered Republicans and Undeclared/Non-declared voters. The scam RCB system has made Alaska a laughing stock in the country as the goal was to re-elect Murkowski to the US Senate. Collateral damage from RCV has been to successfully cause voters who want the values Republicans cherish to actually vote against their own best interests with second and third votes in shell game.
I have observed and participated in Alaska politics since the late 1970s and have marveled at how devious some political operators can be. These devious operators want voting to be burdensome and disappointing. Those Alaskans who don’t become involved and vote for wholesome values enable devious operators to manipulate elections so the minority wins.
Never has this duplicity been more clear than in this election.
References:
[1] PAST Legislative Hopes, DONN LISTON December 31, 2020 https://donnliston.net/2020/12/legislative-hopes-for-this-year/
[5] Attorney General Complete Statement https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6539197-Hickel-Coghill-Application-Review-Law-1992-08-24.html
[6] Alaskans Deserve to Elect Our State AG DONN LISTON June 2, 2024 https://donnliston.net/2024/06/why-alaskans-deserve-to-elect-our-state-ag/
[7] Regular Guy and Haul Road Trucker for Legislative Senate District C, DONN LISTON October 3, 2022 https://donnliston907.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/170413644?referrer=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fpublished%3Fsearch%3Dhaul
