Legislature fails to adopt limits on campaign donations

The Alaska Legislature failed to pass new restrictions on financial donations to candidates for state office.

Because a federal court threw out Alaska’s old limits, the Legislature’s failure means candidates may accept unlimited amounts of money from donors inside and outside the state.

“It was probably one of the most disappointing nights of my time in the Legislature to not get to see that happen, because it should have happened,” said Anchorage Sen. Bill Wielechowski.

Legislative drafters finished work on a critical amendment in the closing hours of the session, but it never came up for a vote on the final night, May 18.

Alaska becomes the 10th state to operate without limits on candidate contributions, according to a list compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It’s too early to tell how the lack of limits will affect Alaska’s legislative races, say incumbents and prospective candidates.

“I don’t really buy into the arguments that one party or another can raise more money. I think everyone’s got deep pockets. And now it’s gonna be a matter of who’s best and most well-connected,” said Anchorage Rep. Calvin Schrage.

Wielechowski, who supported limits, said he believes there’s a “definite threat” that the lack of limits will affect results. One big donation could give a candidate a major fundraising advantage.

“I think statistically, the candidate that raises the most money wins 90% of the elections,” Wielechowski said.

Independent studies have backed up that assertion, at least in federal races.

Candidates are required to publicly disclose their donations and donors to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, and Anchorage Rep. James Kaufman said publicity can have a positive effect.

“I think the solution is really sunlight,” he said.

Alaska’s prior donation limits were established in a 2006 ballot measure approved by 73% of voters in the primary election that year.

In July, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruled that the limits established by that measure were unconstitutional because they violated the free speech of donors.

The most important of these restrictions was a $500 limit per candidate, per year, per donor.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration declined to appeal the decision. Dunleavy himself said in March that he prefers to allow donors to give as much money as they want.

The federal court decision said Alaska’s old limits were unconstitutional, but its ruling suggested that higher limits, adjusted for inflation, could be constitutional.

Schrage was among the lawmakers who introduced bills containing new limits. Schrage’s bill was the one that advanced, passing the House by a single vote on March 16.

The bill was referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee, chaired by Wasilla Sen. Mike Shower, where it sat for the next two months.

Despite attempts to insert the bill’s provisions into other legislation, lawmakers adjourned May 18 without passing any limits on campaign donations.

The AlaskaBeacon.com is a donor-funded independent news organization in Alaska.