An impassioned group of Mat-Su residents braved heavy snowfall and slick roads to attend a Dec. 5 legislative townhall meeting with six of the eight state legislators from the Mat-Su.
Gathered at Real Life Church just outside Palmer, State Representatives Kevin McCabe, David Eastman and Cathy Tilton, along with George Rauscher (via teleconference) were on hand, as were Senator Mike Shower and Sen. Shelley Hughes (also appearing via conference). Rep. DeLena Johnson was not able to attend, but the most notable absence was Sen. David Wilson (R-Wasilla) who recently abandon his fellow Mat-Su Republicans to help form a Democratic controlled State Senate.
Wilson, along with seven other left-of-center Republicans are part of a 17-member Senate majority caucus which is primarily led by Democrats.
Over the course of nearly two hours, voters vented their frustrations over the inability of Senate Republicans to translate their superior numerical advantage into an actual ruling majority.
Much of that ire was directed at Sen. Wilson, who was repeatedly called a “traitor” throughout the meeting.
“I realize he’s not here, but I want this out there,” attendee Rachel Allen told lawmakers who were seated on a stage facing the audience. “Is he really a Democrat that has infiltrated the Republican party or does someone have something on him that they are holding over his head and forcing him to make decisions contrary to what his constituents voted for?”
Allen then asked whether the new Representative-elect Jesse Sumner would follow suit and abandon his fellow GOP colleagues on the House side. In particular she was concerned that Sumner had, earlier this year, donated to a group that opposed recalling three leftist Palmer City Council members.
Given this donation, Allen wanted to know where Sumner stood in terms of supporting conservative values in the State Legislature.
Sumner, who currently sits on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, defended his decision to donate to those who opposed the Palmer recalls, saying the donation wasn’t about politics but his larger opposition to using recalls as a means of addressing political differences.
He noted that he also opposed the recall push against Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
As to whether he would align with conservative lawmakers in Juneau, Sumner said he would “stick with the experienced Valley Republicans.”
Rep. David Eastman, who has successfully run against Sumner in the past, sat right next to him during the legislative forum. Eastman asked whether Sumner considered him one of those “experienced Valley Republicans.”
“No, I don’t count you,” Sumner shot back.
Mat-Su voters have elected Eastman three times to the State House, where he is routinely marginalized by Democrats, and some Republicans, for being what they view as too uncompromisingly conservative on a range of issues.
Throughout the night, speakers urged their elected representatives to back gun-rights legislation, election integrity reforms, medical freedom safeguards, protection of the pre-born, a full statutory PFD payment and much more.
Jim Stocker was one of several speakers who called out Sen. Wilson by name, and pledged to help with an effort to recall him from office for choosing to empower Democrats.
Also on hand was Phillip Izon, who is spearheading the Alaskans for Honest Elections campaign to repeal the state’s ranked-choice voting system.
Izon used his public comments to express displeasure with Rep. Wilson and to urge attendees to support the ballot initiative to repeal ranked-choice voting.
“We know you can’t win down there. We don’t expect that,” said Mike Alexander. “But we do expect you to fight.”
Local pastor Tait Zimmerman spoke next, asking lawmakers to summon the courage to “risk their reputation and their careers” in order to stand up for what it right. He praised Rep. Eastman for upholding conservative principles even though it has cost him power and influence in the State House.
Zimmerman joined the chorus of voices denouncing Wilson, claiming that the senator had promised – in writing – to put forward a pro-life “Life at Conception Act,” but has failed to follow through.
Several others pledged to do everything in their power to oust Wilson through a recall, and blasted him for failing to attend the meeting and face his constituents.
Other testifiers suggested ways that conservative lawmakers could still make a difference, despite being outnumbered in the State Senate.
Dave Maxwell urged Senate Republicans – namely Shower, Hughes and Fairbanks Sen. Robb Myers to partner with Republicans in the House to help sustain any vetoes that Gov. Mike Dunleavy may impose on Democratic bills or budgetary items.
Mike Coons suggested that Mat-Su lawmakers create a coalition of like-minded legislators from both houses who would uphold potential vetoes by Gov. Dunleavy.
Fellow Mat-Su resident Mike Alexander agreed.
“We know you can’t win down there. We don’t expect that,” he said. “But we do expect you to fight.”
Overriding most vetoes require a two-thirds vote of the entire Legislature. To override a budgetary or revenue-related bill takes three-quarters of the 60-member Legislature.
In addition to upholding vetoes, Alexander told the Mat-Su delegation to publicly highlight any of their colleagues in Juneau who oppose election reform or the cleaning up of Alaska’s voter rolls.
Mike Coons leads the newly formed Concerned Conservatives of Alaska, which seeks to educate Mat-Su voters on key issues. He suggested that Mat-Su lawmakers create a coalition of like-minded legislators from both houses who would uphold potential vetoes by Gov. Dunleavy.
Sen. Mike Shower thought that was a possibility.
“I think we have the numbers to prevent the override of the governor’s veto,” he said, while acknowledging that he is frustrated by the fact that conservatives have once again been marginalized in the Legislature.
“Some of us are pretty angry, and I hear your anger,” he said. “I get it, but then there’s some of us that are overridden every time, and short of getting in the ring and putting on gloves, I don’t know what else you can do with the system right now.”
“The public outcry is what moves the needle,” Hughes said. “The sleeping giant needs to awaken.”
Rep. Eastman chimed in, explaining that it only takes 16 legislators to block efforts to override a governor veto of bills that deal with the budget or raising revenues. The key, he added, is for motivated constituents to call, email and demand that the governor use his veto pen, and that legislators back him up.
“It’s been a long time since anybody’s asked,” Eastman said.
John Miller, who is very involved in Mat-Su politics, said conservative voters must create consistent and sustained “public outcry” in order to motivate their representatives.
“That’s what’s going to change things,” he said, adding that constituents can apply far more pressure on lawmakers than fellow colleagues can.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks from each of the legislators.
Hughes indicated that it was unlikely conservative legislation would pass out of the current Senate, but she pledged to fight for Republican values despite being just one of three legislators who are not part of the majority.
She emphasized the need for voters to stay engaged.
“The public outcry is what moves the needle,” Hughes said. “The sleeping giant needs to awaken.”
Rep. Rauscher echoed these sentiments, saying backroom negotiations and offers of power and chairmanships by Democrats have consistently resulted in House Republicans failing to form a majority caucus.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Rep. Eastman said there is a larger problem with the Alaska Republican Party in general, which often does not back conservative candidates in key races.
“They literally don’t want you to mess with the status quo,” he said, adding that voters need to “engage, engage, engage … we need that pressure from good people trying to do good things.”
Rep. Tilton’s closing comments reminded attendees that one of the jobs of legislators is to stop bad legislation, which can be just as critical as passing good legislation.
Rep. McCabe wrapped up the night by taking a broader look at the frustrations conservatives are now feeling.
He said the reality is that most Alaskans don’t consider themselves Republican or Democrat.
“Keep in mind that we have to convince the undeclared or the unpartisan that the conservative movement is the way to go,” he said, before urging attendees to attend their Republican Party district meetings and to run for local leadership posts.
19 Comments
I would of liked to been at this meeting but I had another that was equally important. I figured the Lieing, Trader, Wilson, didn’t have guts enough to show up. I’m so sorry district 27 has a coward for a representative. We need to find tge kool-aid pitcher and dump it out, or break the Pied Pipers horn. This stuff needs to stop.
Neil, I believe that David Wilson is District 28. I am not sure how District 27 got into the comments about him, but I remember reading that on one of the earlier stories.
Just FYI, the School of Government makes these meetings available on You tube. So you can also watch later if you wish. School of Gov’t has a facebook group you can join and view the videos. They have had many wonderful subjects and speakers and forums over the past year.
Sumner and Eastman need to put aside their differences. We are in a fight for our statehood, for our country and for our lives. We need to work together and count on each other to have each other’s backs in this fight. This just may be our last stand for humanity unless a miracle is going to happen.
If Sumner has been beaten by Eastman more than once, is it possible that Sumner has the problem and NOT Eastman? Sumner cuts him out because of ill feeling and is not considered divisive? It’s both of their problem?!?!? I don’t think so.
D Graf, I purposely did not identify one or the other because I do not know Sumner. I am familiar with Eastman and know that he has been working hard for Alaska and its People.
Friend of Humanity.
Working hard for Alaska and its People? What has Eastman actually done? He talks a good game but what has he really done? What legislation has he passed. Which amendments has he introduced that actually passed? He portrays himself like he is the hardest working legislator in Juneau but his record of bills passed, or bills prevented from passing, is abysmal. Being an effective legislator means convincing other legislators to vote your way. Eastman has never been able to do this.
His traitorous actions, during the vote for Talerico as speaker, set house republicans on the path they are now on. He is as much of a traitor to the party as Wilson. He alone screwed Republicans out of the majority, and lead to the muskrat coalition, during that session.
No, Sumner is right. It is not about disliking Eastman. It is about opposing his actions during his time in the house. While Eastman’s positions are the same as every real conservative People should take a hard look at his actions and see if they match his words. Hint: They don’t.
Sumner says his donation to the lefty support group was to protest using the recall as a means of addressing political differences. What he doesn’t seem to understand is that when elected members of any counsel, club, committee or board refuse to do the will people whom they serve, then the people will exercise whatever means available to them to send the message and enforce their will. I agree that it is usually special interest groups who squeal the loudest to have an elected official removed or recalled, but when the issues involve the constitutional interests of the people at large, then recall is a practical and effective tool to accomplish a change in the status quo.
Wilson is Senator for house district 27 and 28, making up senate district N. Maps are in your voter pamphlet, and on the state website. Just enter your address.
My email to david wilson tonight i had to work on the 5th so i could not attend every one needs to call and email this guy ****************
I knew there was no way – no matter the excuse – that you would show and face your constitutes. You have made a mess of things and somehow don’t feel the need to explain yourself to the public even though you hold public office. What a shame your office and title have become. It is my hope you step down from this binding group. If you can’t do that, then you should resign. When you pledge to vote before seeing any bill, you become not only ineffective at your job but you disregard the will of the people who put you in office. You are not in power. The people are. You merely represent that power and I must say, thus far you have simply done a poor job. It seems as if you are representing yourself instead of those who checked what they thought was a conservative box.
Ken
Joel, are you ever going to get over your adoration of Eastman and write a piece critical of the way he has conducted himself? All of us conservatives have the same values and the same ends…. it is the process that trips us up. And Eastmans process often alienates (or outright attacks) his fellow conservatives and Republican caucus. If we are to find a path forward, it must include the ability to see the other side of the issue and nagivate troubled waters. Eastman cannot, or will not, do that. Do you think it is time to make the Alaska Watchman more than just a mouthpiece for Eastman or are you willing to Sacrifice journalistic integrity for your worship of Saint Eastman?
Now is not the time to work with rinos or democrats. They have proven they are the enemy working against the country. Eastman stands up against them as we all should be doing. You want to take the cowards way that the Republicans have been doing for decades and losing. Your way is not working, time to stand up against the left and the rinos that support them.
Wilson will soon be forgotten and to help that along is the banter between sumner and Eastman! Perfect timing, put the gloves on and get in the ring boys. Ten rounds and the Democrats will own everything! Just plain stupid!
Another one….wow…..there is tension but try to discern where the tension is coming from. Who is the perp?
Deal with that one. The one who is targeted and the one who is divisive…they are both different.
The problem is that the Republicans always attempt to “play nice”. They’re the ones that are willing to compromise once in awhile so that things can get done. They work on the other side of the isle. The Dems, on the other hand NEVER compromise. They never work the other side of the isle. As the Left goes further and further from center …(what they stand for IS absolutely WRONG, after all…abortion, stealing PFD, infusing schools with CRT and transgender philosophy, Medical tyranny, refusing to acknowledge election fraud and doing nothing to resolve issues, compromising the Constitution)…the Republicans only APPEAR to be farther right. They uphold the basic principals of what the party stands for. Pro Life, Pro family, smaller gov’t, Full PFD, school choice etc. It’s not the republicans that have moved!
Have you looked at the US Senate and House? The Republicans do not play nice.
What are you talking about
Off the topic: Is anyone aware that just about one million acres are being put up for auction by the end of this month by the Biden administration and that the land is in the Cook Inlet region? I saw the article in The EPOCH times (https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-to-auction-almost-1-million-acres-off-alaskan-coast-for-oil-drilling_4893096.html) The land is between Kalgin Island & Augustine Island according to the article and the auction will take place 12/30/2022. Supposedly the land is being sold for oil and gas production. Can you believe this considering that Biden has been shutting every other place down? My gut instinct is that the regime is up to no good again.
They may fight but they won’t win~. That’s good for the people of Alaska.