Protect Alaska’s Elections Launches Campaign With Broad Cross-Partisan Support

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (3/11/2026)

Protect Alaska’s Elections has formally launched its campaign to defend true source disclosure laws, open primaries, and ranked choice voting with support from Alaska leaders across the state, including 25 founding co-chairs. Representing various industries, regions, and political perspectives, these Alaskans are united in their belief that our election system keeps power in the voters’ hands.

The proposed repeal would remove Alaska’s ban on dark money spending in Alaskan elections, would allow political parties to close primary elections and deny access to certain voters, and would allow for candidates to win without majority support. 

 “Our rural communities want leaders who put Alaska before their party. That’s what we get with Alaska’s election system,” said Aaron Schutt, President and CEO of Doyon, Ltd and campaign co-chair.

“Alaska’s current election system and transparent campaign finance laws prioritize the public, working families, and Alaskans ahead of special interests. We’ve elected legislators who care more about representing their constituents than adhering to political extremes. Our system promotes cooperation and bipartisanship, and that’s good for all Alaskans,” said Heidi Drygas, AFSCME Executive Director and campaign co-chair.

“To me democracy is a nonpartisan goal. Better representation gives us better leadership. It’s pretty simple,” said Ben Millstein, owner of Kodiak Brewing and campaign co-chair.

Protect Alaska’s Elections Campaign Co-Chairs

1. Aaron Schutt, President & CEO of Doyon, Ltd, Interior

2. Ana Hoffman, President and CEO of Bethel Native Corporation, former co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives, YK Delta

3. Barbara Blake, Vice President of Ocean Conservatory, Southeast

4. Ben Millstein, founder of Kodiak Brewing Company, Kodiak

5. Bronson Frye, Business Representative for IUPAT Alaska Local 1959, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) of Southcentral Alaska

6. Bryan Schroder, Coast Guard veteran, former United States Attorney, Eagle River

7. Rep. Bryce Edgmon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bristol Bay

8. Sen. Cathy Giessel, Senate Majority Leader, South Anchorage

9. Chris Dimond, Organizer for Carpenters Local 1281, Anchorage

10. Sen. Gary Stevens, Senate President, Kodiak

11. Mayor Grier Hopkins, Mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough 

12. Heidi Drygas, Executive Director of ASEA-AFSCME Local 52, Southeast

13. Jasmin Smith, business owner, creator of Alaska Black Business Directory, Anchorage

14. Joelle Hall, President of Alaska AFL-CIO, Anchorage

15. Jon Cook, Business owner, former chair of Alaska Railroad Corporation board, Fairbanks

16. John Lincoln, President and CEO of NANA Northwest Arctic

17. Laaganaay Tsiits Gitanee, Tribal leader, kelp farmer, Native non-profit leader, and co-founder, Gínga & Ignin Collective

18. Lee Ellis, US Marine Corps, former President, Brewers Guild of Alaska, Girdwood

19. Nicole Borromeo, President of ANCSA Regional Association Anchorage

20. Patrick FitzGerald, Political Coordinator for Teamsters Local 959, Talkeetna

21. Reid Magdanz, Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, Kotzebue

22. Sheldon Fisher, managing partner of MASH LLC and former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, Anchorage

23. Taylor Evanson, commercial fisherman, owner of Highliner Hotel, Eagle River

24. Wally McDonald, business owner, Fleet Refrigeration, Petersburg

25. Rep. Zack Fields, House of Representatives, Laborers Local 341, Anchorage

For more information, visit Protect Alaska’s Elections at protectalaskaselections.org or contact info@protectalaskaselections.org

###