Barring a major comeback over the next few days, it appears that the Anchorage Assembly will add yet another hard-core leftist to its ranks.
Daniel Volland, who is supported by, and cut from the same cloth as, controversial Assemblyman Christopher Constant, has expressed support for Constant’s plan to empower the Assembly to impeach a sitting mayor. He’s also all in on pushing the most controversial, hot button social issues that have divided the city over the past two years.
The reality is that Alaska’s largest city has turned blue, except for the hinterlands of Eagle River and the lone District 6 in South Anchorage where Randy Sulte proved a conservative can still eke out a victory.
Taking the recent April election and the June 21 special election as indicators, left-leaning voters appear to have about a 55% to 45% advantage in just about every contest. It’s not a massive lead, but enough to ensure that the Assembly and the school board remain firmly in the hands of ideologically driven, so-called “progressives.”
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If a strong conservative candidate like Stephanie Taylor – a creative, engaging African American woman – can’t muster the votes to overcome a political newcomer like Daniel Volland, it is hard to imagine another person who could.
This will only add fuel to the fire for Eagle River residents who are calling on the northern community to formally cut ties with Anchorage and create their own independent borough. This conservative block of voters is largely responsible for Mayor Dave Bronson’s victory.
Over the past two years, conservatives have attempted to recall two assembly members and turn the tide on the leftward drift of city politics. Bronson’s victory – and that of Randy Sulte – are the only bright spots in an otherwise long string of defeats.
Anchorage has made its bed, but don’t expect many tranquil nights.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
11 Comments
It wouldn’t be so bad if liberals had insite enough to look at the whole problem and not just the bottom left corner of a picture. They can’t see a project all the way through.if they could they’d see where the pit falls are and work them out but they’re blind to pitfalls and so we get half projects and then the crying for more more more money. It never fails. Look back at past projects. Do you see a trend? It’s as obvious as the nose on your face. Democrats just can’t see it!
If people say they value strong healthy families; the protection of our children in social settings such as our schools, where moral decay is on the rise, won’t get involved in decision making in our government, then don’t complain as your city becomes more corrupt and unsafe. Evil prevails when good people do nothing!
Clear the assembly was waiting for the assembly election before removing Bronson. Didn’t want to risk throwing that race. After they remove Bronson, I hope they go full fascist. Permanent mask mandates, etc. – nothing else will wake people up.
Anchorage is now like Portland and Seattle, Immoral, diseased and quickly decaying under communist rule, so unfortunate for the good people still there. Eagle River best hurry up and exit before it’s too late.
Your so right!
Anchorage is a Hell hole, dirty stinky filthy city.
Pick up your visitors at the airport and get the hell out.
There’s plenty of places in the state to show your guests. what the real Alaska looks and smells like.
I hope Anchorage doesn’t have to hit rock bottom like San Francisco before the pain outweighs the delusion. Still have some good things left by the past conservatives. Bronson may be the last. More so if EagleExit.
I’m not sure why EaglExit has stalled. It seems to have support from those in Eagle River as well as those in other parts of the muni. Maybe Anchorage should secede and leave ER behind.
The future is the Valley.
Anchorage is a decaying, remnant of a once vibrant city. Violent crime – rape, murder, armed robberies, assaults, gang activity- a disproportionate amount occur in Anchorage versus the rest of the state.
The homeless issue is a disgrace – there are laws on the books to handle and solve this immediately – loitering, vagrancy, public intoxication, trespassing, littering, panhandling, shoplifting enforce the damn laws – go ZERO tolerance and clean up this dirty, filthy, unsafe city.
You want laws enforced but I’ll bet you are for shrinking government.
You’re right, by shrinking goverment generally we will have more resources available to enforce our laws.
The turnout in the 2022 Municipal election was around 30%. Maybe if conservatives would get off their butts and VOTE we wouldn’t be in this mess. Either go to the trouble now or the trouble will find you later.