The Fourth of July Independence Day holiday is just five days away. It falls on a Friday this year, so it will be a fun weekend. Many events are planned around the state, including the annual Mount Marathon race in Seward. Senator Lyman Hoffman (D – Bethel), who has served in the Legislature since 1987, officially announced that he will not seek re-election next year. Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) sent a loose letter to members of the Legislature regarding a bill be vetoed. A proposed Anchorage Assembly ordinance to crack down on homelessness and vagrancy resulted in a weird collection of people testifying during Tuesday’s meeting. And more candidates filed to run for the Legislature.

A friendly message and reminder to all our readers. The Landmine is made possible by myself and a team of awesome Alaskans. I have been covering the legislative session in Juneau for the last seven years and recently returned from Juneau. If you enjoy the content we provide, please consider making a one time or recurring monthly donation. You can click here to donate. We have a system that makes it super easy. We would really appreciate it. And thanks to everyone who has been supportive. 

Two key senators are retiring 

Senator Lyman Hoffman, who is 75, officially announced this week that he will not seek re-election next year. Insiders knew for some time that he was not planning on running again, but his announcement makes it official. This will cap off a four decade career in the Legislature. This Alaska Beacon article, “Alaska’s longest-serving state legislator, Lyman Hoffman, will not run for reelection in 2026,” provides more detail. 

Hoffman joins Senate President Gary Stevens (R – Kodiak), who is also retiring next year. Stevens, who is 83, has served in the Legislature since 2001. Combined, Stevens and Hoffman have more than 60 years experience serving in the Legislature, with a good portion of that in leadership roles. Their absence will leave a large void in the Senate. 

Representative Louise Stutes (R – Kodiak) filed to run for Stevens‘ seat last month. Representative Sarah Vance (R – Homer) could also run for the seat, but it’s not likely as she’s in a safe House seat and Stutes would be very difficult to beat. 

Hoffman told the Alaska Beacon that he wants Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I – Dillingham) to run for his seat. Edgmon filed a letter of intent this week and did not indicate an office, meaning he’s at least keeping his options open. The problem for Edgmon is that if Calista decides to back a Democrat from the Bethel district, Edgmon would have a real race on his hands. Calista is in a partnership for the Donlin gold mine and could put big money behind a candidate for the open seat. However, if Hoffman can convince Calista to stay out, Edgmon will likely run for the Senate. 

If Stutes and Edgmon are out of the House next year, there will be a similar power vacuum as in the Senate with Stevens and Hoffman’s departure. Both Edgmon and Stutes have served as speaker and have been key members of the House majority coalition. There could be very interesting power struggles in both the House and Senate after the election in November 2026. 

Other Happenings 

Check out this wild letter Governor Dunleavy sent to legislators regarding his veto of Senate Bill 183. Next session, Dunleavy’s last one, is definitely going to be contentious between him and both majorities.  

With things calming down in the Middle East, it appears that we will not be bailed out by high oil prices again. ANS crude nearly hit $80/barrel on June 17, but has fallen to $70 since. 

The following people filed letters of intent for the Legislature this week: 

• Representative Julie Coulombe (R – Anchorage) filed for re-election. 
• Representative Bryce Edgmon (I – Dillingham). He did not indicate an office. (See above write up.)
• Representative Andy Josephson (D – Anchorage) filed for re-election.
• Representative Kevin McCabe (R – Big Lake). He did not indicate an office. He may be keeping his options open in case Senator Mike Shower (R – Wasilla) decides not to run for re-election. 

Earlier this week I confirmed that legislative staffers Trey Watson and Forrest Musselman will no longer be working comms for the Republican House minority effective July 1. This leaves the House minority with no press staff.

This is positive news, but it’s not serious until countries and companies in Asia sign “take or pay” contracts. And we also need the producers to sign contracts to sell the gas. 

Jenna Wright, the president and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, is on medical leave for an unknown period of time. The last paragraph of the announcement is rather strange.  

If you have not already seen it, check out the Landmine’s updated version of the famous “Wild About Anchorage” commercial. You can either laugh or cry about how much Anchorage has devolved over the years. 

You had one job to do! The seal is finally back up on the website. 

This Week’s Loose Unit 

This week was real easy. This week’s Loose Unit is all the lunatics who came to Tuesday’s Anchorage Assembly meeting to essentially testify in support of the drug addicts, alcoholics, and trouble makers that are running roughshod by living in parks and trails all over our city. You can watch this live stream I recorded on Wednesday to understand just how loose it got.   

Here are some more examples of the insanity that these people brought to the Assembly. Classic Loose Units! We definitely have mental health crisis in our city. 

If you have a nomination for this week’s Loose Unit, or if you have any political news, stories or gossip (or any old pics of politicians or public officials) please email me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.