Suzanne Downing resigns from Must Read Alaska, ending decade-long era for conservative media site
- Mark Sabbatini
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Former Juneau Empire manager editor who founded site quits after refusing owner’s demand to pull article that raised questions about former state attorney general
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
Suzanne Downing, who founded the conservative news and opinion website Must Read Alaska a decade ago, said Monday she has resigned due to a dispute with the site’s current owner involving an article he wanted removed that raised questions about a state Republican party official’s campaign finances.
"I resigned because the word came down from him," she said in a phone interview. "He wanted that story down and he was very insistent about it, and that's just not going to work for me."
"Once people think that they can change what you're writing — change how you're covering things by complaining to your boss — you're done, because if that's how it's going to roll you're never going to make it. Your life's gonna be miserable."
Downing, who launched Must Read Alaska as a newsletter in 2015, wrote in a 2024 year-end report the website that debuted in 2016 had gotten 38 million visits during its lifespan, including 5.8 million visits from more than 1.8 million unique visitors last year. The Alaska Landmine, which first reported her resignation, stated "her departure will be a major loss to the business."
"Conservatives are the main audience, but many progressives also read it as a guilty pleasure or to see what she will say next," wrote Jeff Landfield, the Landmine’s owner. "Many Republican elected officials often fear what she may write about them and have been known to adjust their behavior or votes accordingly."
Must Read Alaska was sold in 2023 to Alaska Gold Communications Inc., led by Homer businessman and Republican party official Jon Faulkner. Attempts by the Juneau Independent to contact Faulkner on Monday were unsuccessful. No details about Downing’s resignation or future plans for the publication were posted at its website or on its social media pages as of Monday afternoon.
The story that was the linchpin, according to Downing, reported on Saturday former state Attorney General Treg Taylor is seeking an exemption from the filing requirements of the Alaska Public Offices Commission. The story states Taylor, who is expected to run for governor, co-owns 234 rental units with his wife and that providing specific required data for each tenant would be overly cumbersome.
The article was still online at Must Read Alaska’s site on Monday afternoon and most of the 19 reader comments were critical of Taylor’s request.
A column by Taylor published by the website on Aug. 17 was headlined "The rule of law doesn’t work unless it applies to all of us."
Downing said people have made similar complaints to Faulkner about coverage involving other Republican officials, but until now she didn’t face any unacceptable confrontations from him or the company’s board of directors.
A congressional tribute to Downing offered by U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, states she moved to Alaska with her family in 1969 at the age of 10, attending school and then working various jobs in Juneau until she departed for the Pacific Northwest for several years at the onset of her journalism career.
She returned as the managing editor of the Juneau Empire between 1997 and 2000, then worked in Alaska and elsewhere in various media, political, and philanthropic organizations — including four years as a speechwriter for Gov. Sean Parnell — until founding Must Read Alaska.
The politically controversial tone of her publication became a focal point at the Alaska State Capitol this year when the Legislature, in a rare action, rejected a legislative citation for her. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, led the effort in the House, calling Downing’s writing "caustic in our discourse."
Defending her during House floor debate was Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake.
“Was her writing always correct?" he said. "Probably not…but I will say she is an amazing person, and most of all, that lady works from sunrise to sunset.”
Downing, who now lives in Skagway, said her immediate plans are to spend time with her grandchild. Beyond that, she has set up a new SuzanneDowningAK Facebook page and, while she has a non-compete clause with her former company until November, she isn’t ruling out a return to the writing arena.
"I’ve got to dial it back for a couple of weeks and do some things I want to do in Skagway," she said. "Get my house ready for winter. But I don't think I'll be going anywhere. I just will have to work on executing other plans — and that will be things I can’t tell you about."
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
