Editor’s note: The following column by Alaska gubernatorial candidate Dave Bronson is in response to a Dec. 16 column by Greg Sarber.
Alaskans deserve straight answers, especially on constitutional issues. Let me be absolutely clear about where I stand on the Grand Jury independence in Alaska.
The Alaska Constitution is not optional. Article I, Section 8 guarantees the right of citizens to access a Grand Jury without judicial or prosecutorial gatekeeping. Supreme Court Order 1993 weakened that right, and I agree with many Alaskans on the Kenai who believe it crossed a constitutional line. As governor, I will not ignore that concern, and I will not hide behind consultants.
Before addressing next steps, I want to correct a false narrative that has emerged from my stop in Homer.
The notion that I, one of the most measured, informed, and constitutionally grounded candidates in this race, am somehow waiting for “East Coast outsiders” to wave a magic wand and tell me what I am allowed to believe is patently false. I have spent my entire career making consequential decisions under pressure, accountable for outcomes, not headlines.
I will support legislative action to reaffirm citizen Grand Jury access and to reassert the Legislature’s constitutional authority over court rules when those rules conflict with the Constitution itself.
What I will not do, and never have done, is blindly agree to a position in order to avoid a “gotcha” moment. I especially will not stand in a campaign fundraiser and tell Alaskans what I think they want to hear. Leadership means pausing, listening and fully understanding complex constitutional issues before committing the power of the governor’s office to a course of action. That pause was not indecision; it was discipline.
It has since become clear that the exchange was less about seeking clarity and more about manufacturing a political moment. Alaskans deserve better than that kind of politics, and I will not govern that way.
Now, to the substance of the issue.
Here is what I will do as governor:
First, I will direct the Attorney General to formally review Supreme Court Order 1993 for constitutional compliance and pursue every lawful avenue to restore the original intent of the Grand Jury clause. That includes litigation, legislative remedies and if necessary, constitutional clarification.
Second, I will support legislative action to reaffirm citizen Grand Jury access and to reassert the Legislature’s constitutional authority over court rules when those rules conflict with the Constitution itself. Courts do not get the final word when they exceed their authority, the Constitution does.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Third, I will support an independent investigation into any credible allegations of judicial or prosecutorial misconduct related to Grand Jury interference. No branch of government is above scrutiny. Accountability is not radical, it is conservative.
Fourth, I will appoint an Attorney General who understands that his or her duty is to the Constitution and the people of Alaska, not institutional convenience or judicial insulation.
I am running for governor because Alaska needs leaders who will stand up to overreach, restore balance between the branches of government, and protect the rights of everyday citizens. That includes standing up to a court when it exceeds its constitutional role.
I am ready for this job. And I will govern the way I always have, with deliberation, conviction, and an unwavering respect for the Constitution of the State of Alaska.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
12 Comments
You definitely will be held to your statement and will have to account for every turn in the road it takes. Alaska is sick to death of the “takers” without integrity and the false promises. This is vital to work with in our state and has been removed by past governors and the Crime Boss Dunleavy taking up space in that job today. Alaska has found out how worthless his commitments have been and the poorly qualified AGs he hired. So, this state should expect the highest standards for the next administration. You may have to rethink your thoughts and statements as to what it truly means.
Dear Mr. Bronson,
I was in attendance at your meeting in Homer on December 15. I recorded your comments, and I stand by the article I wrote about them. The reporting was accurate. You are being dishonest in saying they mischaracterized what you said. You should apologize.
With respect to the actions you propose to restore the grand jury rights taken from the citizens of Alaska by SCO 1993. I think you are mostly correct with what you propose to do if elected governor. You should have been better prepared to talk about these actions when you made your visit. Better late than never, I suppose.
Respectfully,
Greg Sarber
Oh come on. Bronson, or any other candidate, cannot be expected to know everything. I applaud Bronson for listening then reflecting and coming up with a response. That’s how government works. Don’t bash the man for not immediately bowing down to you.
To Taxpayer: You are absolutely wrong in your statement. Bronson is a “public servant” in the eyes of the law. He was a mayor and ran for office twice and now for governor. He is responsible for what he says and does and who he hires and the money he takes in. He knows this and now you do as well. As for his comments on the “grand jury” issue, he is in doubt as to the ramifications and depth of what he would commit too. His knowledge of the “grand jury” issue is being tested and because he fails to completely create sound rhetoric in his statements, leaves doubt of his ability to fully and completely follow the truth and involvement with work to correctly amend the wrongs done in all prior activities of correcting the seriousness of the problem. As for the other candidates, they too are public figures if they have held elected office. Subsequently, they better get themselves together and step up to the plate with full comprehension of their responsibilities. I don’t feel sorry for any of them and neither should you.
Hey Greg. Please stop with the self-righteous attitude. Neither you nor any other person have all the answers and those that do I find highly suspect. What ever happened to “I don’t know but I will find out and get back to you” became a mark of indecision and political cowardice? I have respect for people who don’t behave as though they have all the answers and walk on water. Only two people I know about walked on water and one inevitably failed miserably due to a lack of faith. Unless I’m mistaken, you’re not either one of them. Grace to you. Pass it along!
I agree, when Bronson was our Mayor he did a good job. Then our woke Assembly and Mayor took over scraped Bronson’s housing for the homeless and now is trying to put a sales tax in Anchorage because of money shortage. Where did the billion $ from the sale of ML&P go…greed.
Bronson doesn’t say you mischaracterized him or his words. He does say that you -or whoever asked the question in Homer- were more interested in manufacturing a political moment than seeking clarity. I wasn’t there, so I can’t read the room and agree or disagree on that point, but the outcome of that exchange clearly did become a political moment, and every candidate now knows that the grand jury issue is something they should be prepared to talk about when they visit Kenai. Bronson, like most Alaskans, was unaware of the ins and outs of “the grand jury issue” before his campaign stop in Kenai. The issue was brought up, and now hundreds of Alaskans are looking into it, trying to understand what the issue is, how it came about, and what can be done to resolve it. This is a good thing! I’m grateful Bronson did some serious research into the issue and developed a proposed plan of action. Not only does this indicate that he believes it’s a serious issue that he’s willing to take action on, but it helps all Alaskans better understand the issue, how our rights have been violated, and what steps could be taken to restore them.
Every prospective candidate running for Governor had better know the issues on our corrupted judicial system in this State by now. This single problem of lawlessness within the system can no longer be tolerated by We The People. Clearly, this corruption is so blatant that candidates can no longer soft pedal their proposals to repair it. They must forcefully make this a top priority and be prepared to make immediate demands to make massive changes to what has been willfully ignored by all of our State officials for years. From legislators to executives and most importantly, the judicial branch. Unfortunately, all of these branches will continue to kick the can down the road just like they have been the last decade.
Thank you, candidate Bronson. This business about judicial corruption is a heavy lift and a political career killer. Those in power in the judiciary have let law & order and justice within the state wither. I do hope and pray you can correct SCO 1993 upon election.
To All Candidates for Governor;
—In your view, was SCO 1993 an unconstitutional change to the grand jury process? Yes or No.
— If your answer is yes, and if you are elected governor, what do you intend to do to correct it?
— Would you support the creation of an independent commission to investigate the alleged crimes of retired judge Margaret Murphy and any actions taken by individuals within the DOJ or the court system to cover up those crimes?
— Would you support allowing the commission to review the suppressed Kenai Grand Jury’s report and, after their review, release it to the public?
These questions are a litmus test. – G. Sarber
Alaska Grand Jury Rights:
Exposing the Lies Behind EMPTY Campaign Rhetoric —
By Brenda L Boudreau
~Former Convention of States Alaska State Communications Coordinator
~Former GOP Precinct Leader in Anchorage
If We Believed Treg Taylor and Dave Bronson, Alaskans Would Lose Their Constitutional Access to Grand Juries
The United States Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land. Under the Supremacy Clause, it overrides any state constitution, court, or rule that contradicts its authority.
I speak plainly and unapologetically because Alaskans deserve clarity!
I am currently watching political figures — namely Treg Taylor and Dave Bronson — presume we are too ignorant to understand that our rights cannot be granted, suspended, or “restored” only respected or disrespected. That belittling is unacceptable.
The right of the People to a grand jury in Alaska has not been lawfully removed. It cannot be removed by court rule, administrative process, or executive action. That is not opinion — it is constitutional fact.
Under both the Alaska Constitution and the United States Constitution, the grand jury exists as a safeguard belonging to the People, not to prosecutors, courts, or the executive branch. Any rule or procedure that places citizen access to the grand jury under the control of the Department of Law or the judiciary is constitutionally void as applied, regardless of whether it has been enforced in practice.
Former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor served as the State’s chief legal officer while rules and procedures were implemented that conditioned grand jury access through executive and judicial gatekeeping. Those changes were not adopted by constitutional amendment, nor were they authorized to extinguish or suspend a structural constitutional safeguard. The Constitution binds the Attorney General — not the other way around.
Since announcing his candidacy for governor, Taylor has spoken publicly about constitutional governance while failing to address the fact that, under his leadership, the executive branch asserted control over access to an institution specifically designed to operate independently of prosecutors. That silence matters.
At the same time, former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson has positioned himself as a defender of grand jury rights. That position is difficult to reconcile with both constitutional reality and his public record.
First, the People of Alaska never lost their grand jury rights. Those rights cannot be taken away by rule or reclassification. They exist whether or not state officials honor them. Campaign claims to “restore” a right that was never lawfully removed misstate the constitutional framework and are purposely misleading the public.
Second, Bronson’s record as mayor reflects repeated deference to the Anchorage Assembly on core issues, including homelessness. Rather than forcefully asserting executive authority to protect vulnerable populations, his administration ultimately backed down and presided over policies that criminalized homelessness rather than resolving it. That record is relevant when evaluating present claims of constitutional resolve.
This issue is not about personalities or party politics. It is about constitutional literacy and accountability.
Candidates do not earn credibility by claiming they will “fight” for rights that already exist while avoiding responsibility for past actions — or inactions — when they held office.
The Constitution is not suspended by court rule. Rights are not granted by politicians. And Alaskans are not required to accept campaign narratives that contradict the plain structure of constitutional law. The Supremacy Clause makes it absolutely clear: U.S. Constitutional authority overrides any state misrepresentation or misunderstanding.
I am stating these facts publicly because the People deserve clarity — not slogans, not deception, not belittlement — from those seeking the highest offices in a State founded on the Constitution and the rule of law.
Alaskans are not ignorant. We are the sovereign holders of these rights, and no campaign rhetoric, no empty promise, and no political pretense can change that.
I have been standing up for our constitutional rights for the past seven years. Those of us who are fighting fearlessly are facing extreme pushback from a system that has perfected protecting itself first—not We the People.
I want to specifically acknowledge David Haeg of the Alaska Grand Jury Association, who has courageously stood face to face with this corrupt court system on the judicial side. Through his facts, evidence, and fearless advocacy, he helped open my eyes to what was truly happening. Without that truth, I would still be in the dark—continuing to fight a corrupt system without fully understanding the depth of its deception.
I have been battling this corruption for the past 15 months, particularly within Palmer District Court. This is not theoretical. This is real, lived experience.
I am asking the rest of you to stand with us. United we stand. Do not allow them to divide us through deception and lies in order to control our lives—because that is exactly what is happening.
Signed,
Brenda L Boudreau
Government Watchlisted and Harassed Patriot
Bboudreau.legal@gmail.com
Are you arguing that Alaskans’ right to an independent grand jury comes from God? If so, it is inalienable. However, I think you’d be hard pressed to ground our right to an independent grand jury within the Natural Law or the understanding of man as made in the image and likeness of God.