Governor gives voters another shot at better government

By Larry Persily

Until last week, Alaska voters were facing one important decision on this year’s ballot to choose elected officials who work for the public, not political parties.

That decision would be to uphold the system of ranked-choice voting and open primaries that has been state law since 2022. The system takes away from political parties the power of selecting candidates and lets Alaskans make their own decisions on who can lead the state in open primary elections.

Vote no on the ballot question in November to block a return to the days of partisan primaries that benefit those at the far end of issues rather than those who can work toward a middle ground.

And now, after vetoing his 20th bill of the year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has given Alaskans a second important ballot choice of government for the people or government paid for by people with money.

Though Dunleavy will leave behind few lasting gifts after his eight years in office end in December, other than a teardown government that will need extensive rebuilding, his veto last week of legislation to limit political campaign donations could be a positive. Voters can answer his veto by approving a ballot proposition to do the exact same thing — limit rich donors in politics.

By vetoing the legislation, Dunleavy cleared the way for a citizens initiative to appear on the Aug. 18 statewide primary ballot. State law says legislation that essentially does the same thing can bump a proposition off the ballot. With the legislation now killed by a veto, Alaskans will get to decide whether to limit political campaign donations to individual candidates and political parties.

Currently, there is no limit in Alaska law to contributions after a federal appeals court in 2021 struck down the state’s $500 limit as too low, leaving lawmakers to guess at the right number.

Without any limits in the 2022 and 2024 elections, candidates could cash in big from rich donors, as Dunleavy did in his 2022 reelection campaign when his Texas-based brother contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

If voters approve the ballot measure in August, individuals would be limited to giving $2,000 per candidate in each election cycle, or $4,000 for candidates for governor. The limit for individual donations to a political party or group would be $5,000.

In vetoing the legislation that would have capped contributions, Dunleavy said limits give an advantage to wealthy candidates who can fund their own campaigns. It’s not unusual for the governor to miss the point: It’s better for rich candidates to spend their own money for all to see to run for office than to have companies, special-interest groups and rich people write unlimited checks to gain self-serving influence over elections.

In 2006, when voters were asked to decide on the $500 limit, almost 75% voted in favor of the cap. Now, 20 years later, supporters of campaign limits hope for an equally strong statement from voters. “I look forward to Alaskans expressing their will at the polls,” said Anchorage independent Rep. Calvin Schrage.

Another supporter of the contribution limit, former Alaska Attorney General Bruce Botelho, said: “We are relying on the good judgment of Alaskans to reinstate limits on campaign contributions.”

Thanks to the governor, Alaskans will have a chance to show their good judgment when they vote on the issue next month.

• Larry Persily is the publisher of the Wrangell Sentinel, which first published this column.