Donald Bullock Jr. is retiring from state service. Most recently, he was a lawyer for Legislative Legal. Like many good state workers who are actually doing their jobs, you might not have heard much about him. Yet he was a key to making the Legislature work. He basically wrote the legislative changes to the most recent oil tax and gas pipeline bills. Here’s wishing him a relaxing retirement.

KFQD talk show host Bernadette Wilson spoke into the mic with breathy excitement on Tuesday, claiming that at long last, she finally had the piece of information that was going to bring down Dan Sullivan. Cue a personal email that her guy, Mead Treadwell, received in 2009 from Sullivan when Sullivan was in D.C. eyeing the job for Alaska’s attorney general, where Sullivan talks about having “Outsider” status, who is “not part of the current Alaska political system:”

The real lesson? Don’t send Mead Treadwell a personal email in good faith Continue reading →

Rumor has it that local businessman and political activist Barney Gottstein gave the Yes on #1 committee a hefty six-figure contribution. However, a few strings were attached. Word is that the money came with the condition that former political consultant Joe Rothstein be involved in the campaign. Some with long memories might remember that Rothstein was the Daily News’ executive editor under Kay Fanning. Rothstein, Gottstein, fellow grocery store magnate Larry Carr and former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel were all good friends back in the day. In her biography, Fanning unapologetically credits Rothstein for using his role as editor to get Mike Gravel elected to the U.S. Senate in 1968. “Having Carr and Gottstein behind him with Joe Rothstein writing pro-Gravel columns in the Daily News, gave Gravel a lot of momentum as the primary election neared,” she wrote. Some might remember that the town’s other newspaper, the Anchorage Times, always claimed that there was some sort of Democratic cabal going on at the Daily News, all of which brings to mind the adage about paranoia. Shortly after Gravel won the primary, Rothstein left the Daily News to run Gravel’s general election campaign.

Rep. Bill Stoltze celebrated his 54th birthday with a picnic at the Mat-Su River Park  in Palmer, Continue reading →

All in all, the Alaska Republican Party picnic on Tuesday night was probably the most benign picnic I’ve been to, and I’ve been making a point of going for about seven years, because you never know what can happen. The most dramatic one was in 2006, when Republican Party lawyer Bill Large got whacked with a Sarah Palin “Take a Stand” sign. The whacker was a 70-plus year old Sarah Palin supporter. Large left the state shortly thereafter.

But that was then, and this is now. And if you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that the dozens of candidates, staffers, and political operatives actually liked each other.

It was all mostly mellow, except when young libertarian leaning Jeff Landfield and the outspoken head of the Anchorage Women’s Republican Club Judy Eledge began to argue heatedly over immigration. The gist: Landfield just can’t understand how she, a pro-life, save-the-children Christian, can want the country to turn its back on the children who are showing up on the border. Continue reading →

Word from Ketchikan’s House District 36 is that the independent House candidate Dan Ortiz has more signs up than all three Republicans in the race – – Chere Klein, Patti Mackey and Agnes Moran – – combined. According to APOC reports, he also raised more campaign cash in the most recent reporting period than any of them.

The Sealaska Corp. board of directors announced their endorsement this week of Mark Begich for U.S. Senate; Byron Mallott for Governor of the State of Alaska; and Sam Kito III as Representative for House District 32. None of this is surprising, but Democrats appear to be hungry for any kind of good news.

Want to hear something unnerving? I had a phone call this week from ObamaCare threatening to drop my insurance unless I submit certain documentation for the credits I receive. I was like, are you kidding me? I was like, ObamaCare is going to start dropping people during election season, Continue reading →

Tennys Owens’ gallery, Artique, will be selling limited edition prints by Byron Birdsall that will be signed by all seven living Anchorage mayors in celebration of the city’s centennial. But wait! I count eight, including acting Mayor Matt Claman. Word is that someone in City Hall—guess who– decided that an acting mayor isn’t the same thing as the real deal. Anyhow, all the other mayors will gather August 5 to sign the prints, except Begich who had a scheduling conflict and has already signed them.

The Mat-Su Business Alliance, a for-profit corporation, has endorsed Dan Sullivan’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate in the GOP primary.

When reviewing APOC reports a few days ago, it looked like ADF&G Commissioner Cora Campbell is the only member of the governor’s cabinet that hasn’t contributed to his campaign yet. Continue reading →

Spotted in May with his thumb out: Brad Snowden, who few know but who is running for governor, on the Park’s Highway, making his way from Wasilla to Anchorage after the tea party Freedom Festival. Spotted recently: lite gov. candidate Hollis French with his thumb out in Juneau, going from the ferry terminal headed downtown. Really, where else?

Valley folks are talking about how Arni Thomson, a big commercial fishing advocate, is increasing his opposition to sitting Valley legislators who are more inclined to support sports fishing than commercial fishing. First he went after Sen, Mike Dunleavy in a letter earlier this year to the Board of Fish, where he called a letter from Dunleavy “disingenuous,” “outlandish” and “lacking leadership.” Now Thomson appears to be supporting DeLena Johnson’s Senate bid against Rep. Bill Stoltze. Street talk is he also intends to support the “Three Amigos” next. Para el pescado?

Brad Keithley is also supporting Johnson over Stoltze. Continue reading →

David Mayberry has been appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He is a lawyer who has represented lots of oil and gas companies for Crowell & Moring, LLP. He’ll have to be confirmed next session.

I wrote earlier about a whisper campaign claiming that GOP Senate candidate Dan Sullivan has lots of “dirt” on him that will come out if he wins the GOP nomination. Those of us who have seen the oppo file have rolled our eyes. Talk show host Bernadette Wilson, who supports Mead Treadwell, isn’t backing down. “I’m still taking bets theres info laying around on Sullivan if there’s any takers :),” she wrote in an email to a group of “dear friends” which was then passed on to me.

Jim Lottsfeldt, an Anchorage-based lobbyist and the head of U.S. Sen. Mark Begich’s super-PAC, had a fundraiser on Thursday for Forrest Dunbar, the young and inspiring Democrat who’s challenging Rep. Don Young. Continue reading →

A cautionary tale for federal primary contenders, courtesy of Politico: “Eric Cantor’s stunning primary defeat is leaving his campaign in a financial bind…Under federal law, Cantor would also have to repay any funds meant for the general election spent during his unsuccessful primary campaign battle against fellow Republican Dave Brat. Since he lost and has no general election in November, Cantor would be required to return those general-election contributions to the donors.”

In federal elections, donors are allowed to give up to $5200 to a candidate: $2600 for the primary and $2600 for the general. GOP candidate Dan Sullivan has quite a few $5200 donations, but his are said to be segregated. Just in case he doesn’t win, let’s hope Treadwell’s $5200 donations are likewise segregated. BTW: State candidates aren’t going to have this problem. Alaska law doesn’t have the primary-general donation distinction. Donors can only give candidates $500 per calendar year. Continue reading →

This week, Byron Mallott’s campaign issued a series of fundraising emails related to the opening of their Fairbanks office. One asked for a contribution to pay the rent, another to keep the lights on. Gimmick? Those of us who are hoping for a vital governor’s race with good representatives from both parties hope so.

Speaking of the governor’s race: As most readers of this blog have probably heard, there’s a push among some to get Mallott out of the governor’s race, so that independent candidate Bill Walker might stand a chance against Gov. Sean Parnell. It’s unlikely however. Continue reading →

The Legislative Council subcommittee on furniture for the Anchorage Legislative Office building met on Monday morning. Members included Rep. Bill Stolze, House Speaker Mike Chenault, and Senate President Charlie Huggins. All in all, a pretty esteemed group to be sitting on a subcommittee dealing with furniture, but sit they did and they decided to recommend to the entire committee that they use existing and state surplus furniture where possible. They also authorized no more than $100,000 for new furniture, which seems pretty responsibly meager considering that the full Council authorized a $100,000 payment to developer Mark Pfeffer–the master of no bid contracts–just to advise on the purchase of new furniture. Continue reading →

She described it “as the most magical day of her life.” Cook Inlet Tribal Council CEO Gloria O’Neill and Roger Phillips stood on the Kachemak Bay’s McDonald Spit last Friday and said, ‘I do” and that they would, forever and ever. For eternity. Congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful marriage.

APOC has “accepted” Randy Ruedrich’s complaint against the Anchorage Women’s Republican Club, for what he says is funky bookkeeping.

Long time state worker Jerry Burnett who recently Continue reading →

To the extent that Alaska has power brokers, many of them were at Rep. Bill Stoltze’s political fundraiser for his state Senate bid at the Aviation Museum in Anchorage on Monday. About 70 in all showed, with a hefty dose of sports fishing enthusiasts in the room lead by Kenai angler Bob Penney. Spotted: Linda Leary from ACS; Bill Eckhardt and Dan McCue from Alaska USA Federal Credit Union; Tom Gimple with Geneva Woods Pharmacy; AOGA’s executive director Kara Moriarty; GOP Senate candidate Dan Sullivan and his lovely wife Julie Fate; Verne Martell; Mat-Su Borough Assembly members Steve Colligan and Ron Arvin; SCI President Eddie Grasser; awesomely dressed Marie Evans and Michael Hurley from ConocoPhillips; AK Republican Party Vice Chair elect Frank McQueary; Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan; Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux; Mark Davis from AIDEA; retired Superior Court Judge Karl Johnstone; and Ketchikan state House candidate Agnes Moran. Rumored take at the door was north of $15,000.00. Continue reading →

A few weeks ago, I wrote about House District 36 in Southeast and the seat that’s being vacated by Rep. Peggy Wilson. I said I had heard that Patti Mackey, who’s the president and CEO of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, appeared to have a leg up on other Republican candidates: Borough Assemblywoman Agnes Moran and Chere Klein. Some people took issue with that. One even implied that I was part of some sort of vague conspiracy. Machinations in the Misty Fiords! Alas. Just chatterers who might have been wrong. Moran sure has some supporters out there. Including none other than former Gov. Frank and Nancy Murkowski, who still consider Ketchikan home. Nancy confirmed that the two are endorsing Moran, which is not a small deal in Ketchikan. Continue reading →

Two of Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell staffers are leaving his state office. Although I didn’t talk to her, I’ve been told his chief of staff, Michelle Toohey, is on her way out. I did talk to his communications manager, Colleen Cox, who told me that her last day is Wednesday. She said she’s leaving for “other opportunities.” Cox has been with Treadwell since his win in 2010. Before that, she volunteered for Gov. Sean Parnell’s campaign. Cox, an Anchorage girl, has a degree in English literature from Fordham University in New York, and then moved to Ireland to get the equivalent of a master’s in Irish literature, where she focused on James Joyce. If I were God, I’d make her my second. Anybody who can get through Finnegan’s Wake deserves it. Anyway, coming from neither of them: I’ve heard things are tense there.

Conservative radio talk show host Dan Fagan checked in on Thursday. He said that he’s still “golfing his way” to Alaska from California, where he’s been talking to audiences about… who cares what he’s been talking to Californians about? That’s the point. He didn’t care much either. Hence his return. He and uber conservative Glen Biegel will be co-hosting a show between 6 to 9:00 a.m. on KOAN, starting June 30. Fagan, a man with a changed heart, will be the softer side of the male-dominated, conservative duo. We’ll see how long that lasts. Sears tried that old “softer side” trick too, until it realized that its core consumers were white males with power-tool fetishes. Anyway, Fagan said he sleeps better at night now that he’s changed. Take it from one who knows: Ambien’s easier.

Tuesday evening was certainly a better evening for Alaska House Majority Leader Lance Pruitt than it was for Congressional Majority Leader Eric Cantor who was a victim of a major and unexpected upset. While Rep. Cantor was making his concession statement in Virginia, more than 30 Alaskans were heading to Pruitt’s fundraising reception at Simon & Seaforts in downtown Anchorage. Some familiar faces spotted at the event included: Rebecca Logan from the Alliance; Marie Evans from ConocoPhillips; Dan Fauske, the state’s gas czar; Joe Beedle from Northrim Bank; Paul Quesnel from BP; Natasha Von Imhoff, Alice Hanley, Sen. Click Bishop and Jim Udelhoven.

Ron Arvin and Cathy Tilton, two Valley GOP candidates vying for state House seat in District 12 being vacated by Rep. Bill Stoltze, also held events Tuesday evening. Arvin’s event was at the Petroleum Club in Anchorage and Tilton’s at the Regan Pavilion in Wasilla. Both events drew respectable crowds. The verdict: Arvin raised the most money and Tilton drew the most voters from the district.

Quite possibly the biggest political fundraiser Tuesday was in the Valley at construction mogul Dave and Dana Cruz’s home where they hosted a crowd of more than 80 people who showed to support GOP senate candidate Dan Sullivan. The event capped a long day of politicking in the Valley. I was there, trailing Sullivan, and am in the middle of writing a James Joyce-sized opus about the day. Don’t bate your breath waiting.

North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower was also in Anchorage Tuesday evening for a fundraising event hosted by members of the Associated General Contractors. From all accounts, this event was not as well attended as some of her previous campaign events.

The American Association of Political Consultants has selected New Orleans as the venue for their March 2015 meeting.

Upcoming Events:

• June 26, 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Campaign kick-off for Rep. Lynn Gattis’ re-election at the Regan Building Pavilion, Wasilla.

Sen. Anna Fairclough and Rep. Lynn Gattis are in San Francisco attending a national conference on education this week. Gattis chairs the House Education committee and Fairclough sits on the Senate Finance Committee that funds education.

Ellie Lottsfeldt, daughter of Jim and Dawn Lottsfeldt, was in Portland for a Jamie Cullum concert; however, a bigger thrill than the concert itself was when she found herself side-by-side Jamie at a sidewalk cafe. Needless to say, when Jim isn’t promoting Sen. Begich, he’s got some pics of Jamie and his daughter to share.

The June 10th edition of Fortune Magazine lists Alaska as one of the most corrupt states in the nation. That might seem like bad news to some. The Alaska Democrats, however, appear to be reveling in it. The party sent out a press release about the study, and went further, implicating Republican Sens. Cathy Giessel, Peter Micciche and Kevin Meyer. On the House side, it was Reps. Lynn Gattis, Eric Feige and Speaker Mike Chenault, the latter of whom particularly didn’t take kindly to the accusations of corruption. He fired back:

Reps. Feige and Gattis are some of the most honorable people that I have worked with. I’ll be damned if I sit back and watch while their integrity is questioned based on twisted versions of reality…If the Democratic Party feels that a member of the House is corrupt they should contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for an investigation. I personally welcome any scrutiny. I have nothing to hide.

Contact Amanda Coyne at amandamcoyne@yahoo.com