Fall is definitely in the air. The lows in Anchorage are forecast in the high 30s at the end of the week. Former Attorney General Treg Taylor finally officially filed to run for governor, making him the tenth Republican in the race and the eleventh overall. Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson also filed a letter of intent, but did not indicate and office. A group of four legislators spent the week in Israel as part of a group called “50 States One Israel.” The Department of Revenue “announced” the amount of this year’s PFD even though the $1,000 amount was determined in May by the Legislature. And the Trend fashion show last night in Anchorage raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Performing Arts Center due to decades of neglect from the Municipality of Anchorage.
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Treg finally filed
Former Attorney General Treg Taylor finally officially filed to run for governor. He’s been running a shadow campaign for the last six months. He filed his letter of intent on September 17, but this highly produced 2 minute and 20 second campaign video was posted on YouTube on September 16, the day before he filed. These kind of vides take weeks to produce.
You can watch a live stream I did this week where I talked about Taylor’s campaign video as well as Crooked Adam Crum’s new campaign video. Both videos have the same bizarre message – they took credit for a lot of stuff as they both held high level positions in the Dunleavy administration for years, but then talked about how bad things are in Alaska. Which one is it! And we all know that things in this state have been bad for a while and are only worsening.
With Taylor, there are now ten Republicans in the race:
- Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom
- Former Senator Click Bishop
- Senator Shelley Hughes (R – Palmer)
- Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries
- Crooked Adam Crum
- Treg Taylor
- Bernadette Wilson (Senator Mike Shower (R – Wasilla) running mate)
- James Parkin
- Matt Heilala
- Bruce Walden
Taylor has personal money, the support of national conservative groups, and the support of his wife Jodi Taylor, a hard working political activist. Honestly she would make a much better candidate than him. He’s not that exciting and does not have much of a personality for politics. He ran for the Anchorage Assembly in 2016 but was defeated by John Weddleton.
But with his money and connections, Taylor will be in the race for the long run. Some of the above Republican candidates will probably withdraw next year when it’s clear they don’t have much support or they may end of becoming the running mate of one of the other candidates.
Other Happenings
Dave Bronson filed a letter of intent yesterday but did not indicate an office. He did not respond to a text asking if he’s planning on challenging Representative Calvin Schrage (I – Anchorage). Senator James Kaufman (R – Anchorage) is not up for re-election until 2028. Bronson, the former mayor of Alaska’s largest city, is likely planning on running for governor, but it’s not yet clear as he’s not made an announcement. He might make Republican number 11 in the race!
Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson filed a letter of intent to run for office but did not indicate an office. He lives in Rep. Calvin Schrage’s district, so it’s either House, governor, or lieutenant governor as Sen. James Kaufman isn’t up for re-election until 2028. #akleg pic.twitter.com/mf5yQIaX9Y
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 21, 2025
A group of 250 legislators from 50 states was in Israel this week as part of a group called “50 States One Israel.” Alaska legislators on the trip were:
- Senator Bill Wielechowski (D – Anchorage)
- Senator Shelley Hughes (R – Palmer)
- Representative Chuck Kopp (R – Anchorage)
- Representative Neal Foster (D – Nome)
That sure is an odd group of legislators.
Trevor Jepsen, Representative Mia Costello’s (R – Anchorage) chief of staff, is leaving his role to manage Senator Dan Sullivan’s campaign (R – Alaska) re-election campaign. So far Sullivan doesn’t have a challenger but there’s plenty of time before the filing deadline. Unless Mary Peltola decides to challenge Sullivan, Jepsen will have a pretty easy job.
Senator Bert Stedman (R – Sitka) filed a letter of intent for re-election. Depending on how the Senate organizes after next November’s election, Stedman will either be running the show or in the basement.
Sen. Bert Stedman filed a letter of intent for re-election. #akleg pic.twitter.com/8wUGr3UGnQ
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 16, 2025
The Department of Revenue “announced” the $1,000 PFD that was determined in May. Payments will start going out in early October.
It’s strange that the Department of Revenue announced the $1,000 PFD today. But it’s bizarre and telling that so many media outlets reported it like it’s news. This amount was determined in May… #akleg pic.twitter.com/RyAhMP3LGi
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 20, 2025
This Week’s Loose Unit
This week’s designee became glaringly obvious on Monday. This week’s Loose Unit is legislative staffer Sarena Hackenmiller. Hackenmiller, who works for Senator Matt Claman (D – Anchorage), decided to go full Loose Unit by writing on Facebook that Charlie Kirk’s daughter “might have a chance to grow up sane now” after he was assassinated. I’m not sure it gets looser than that that.
Holy shit. Talk about a dumb ass thing to say. Wonder what Sen. Matt Claman’s constituents think about her extremely callous comments? Reminder that half of his Senate district is represented by a Republican representative. #akleg https://t.co/ho0eWt7JZt
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 16, 2025
Her post was shared by some accounts with large followings, including Libs of TikTok, which garnered more than 1 million views.
Wow
Serena is reportedly a Legislative aid to Democrat Alaska State Senator Matt Claman and allegedly posted this about Charlie’s kids:
“His daughter might have a chance to grow up sane now.”
Any comment @mattclaman? https://t.co/zA4ChR5FvE pic.twitter.com/6JHm9uXhgl
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 16, 2025
I was sure that Claman was going to fire her after making that horrible comment. But the day after I texted him asking if he had any comment on what she said, he sent me this long statement where he said she made a “mistake” and that she would continue working in his office. He even quoted Charlie Kirk in his statement, which was rather loose.
Statement from Sen. Matt Claman sent to the Landmine:
“Thank you for contacting my office about personal social media comments that one of my staff made about the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. With our nation, I am devastated by this senseless murder. My thoughts and… https://t.co/O8seAYZuBC
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 16, 2025
Hackenmiller’s words put Claman in a horrible position. By keeping her he’s pissed off a lot of people. But if he fired her he would have also pissed off a lot of people. And I’m sure he also considered the likely revolt that would have come from all the lefty legislative staffers if he fired her.
She should have done the right thing and resigned. Claman has been rumored to be the possible running mate of Click Bishop, but this is going to follow him forever.
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.
I’m a constituent of Senator Claman, I could give a crap about what his staffer posted on her personal social media account. Had you not reported it, I would have never known about it. It will only haunt him because you’ll make it your job to ensure that it haunts him. Matt is good human being and an excellent legislator, regardless of what some two-bit blogger who makes a living sniping at people, says about him.
It would concern me that a political representative would hire someone who would say something so politically stupid on social media.
Please never read anything President Trump posts, your pearls can’t take the clutching.
“…….. I could give a crap about what his staffer posted………”
We know, “Reverend”.
Not many news reports on the “tax” on every eligible PFD applicant of $2,892/ The dividend should have been bigger if the legislators decided to let the people spend the money instead of the government last legislative session. Last session, some lawmakers proposed appropriating a $3,892 per person PFD based on the statutory formula. Of course, unions, special interests prevailed and we got crumbs instead of the full dividend.
Really Jeff, you have your job cut out for you. something near 3 billion folks sitting in cocktail lounges around the world last week had nothing but “negative” things to say about nothing more than another run of the mill murder that took place in utah several weeks ago, where 3 other murders also occurred that day, as the did the day before, and the day after. best you pick up the pace if your gonna put all 3 billion folk by name on the blog and grant them “loose unit” status.
I’d love for him to out every one of them. Indeed, thanks for outing yourself…………
Claman’s staffer can have an opinion……its not his opinion has far has I can tell…..after hearing all the BS that the republicans spew out that clearly is false that is nothing….I got an option of CK too and and its not one of praise or hero worship…..I bet the guy made a few bucks on his gig too…..
Way to keep cancel culture alive.
The whole Charlie Kirk assasination/ reaction/ reaction to the reactions/ free speech episode is completely overrated. I am not down with the free speech police, or the uncontitutional use of government power to throttle dissenting views. The lionization of Kirk is also a bunch of b.s. But, like the Epstein files, it’s all important and large, as it’s all tribal signaling. In the end, politics are largely about alliances. So, alliances and continual testing of alliances being what they are, it is all very important. But this too shall pass. Here’s to free speech for all, ESPECIALLY dissenting points of… Read more »
You might have mentioned that 50 States One Israel was a conference organized and paid for by Israel aimed at getting U.S. legislators to pass laws that punish organizations, businesses and other entities that decide to divest from doing business with Israel. This leads one to ask if these five Alaska legislators agree or disagree with this? This is much more important than some minion’s twitter post.
You’re describing what an actual news site would do. Not Alaska Landmine’s thing.
This site is for shaming the staffers and daughters of Alaska’s legislators for their immature IG posts.
When I need to know what Andy Josephson’s niece thinks about Tiffany Trump’s new Jelly sandals, I’ll be here!
“I hate my opponent[s]. I do not want what is best for them.” Donald Trump at Kirk’s vigil yesterday. The feeling is mutual MAGATs.
I for one applaud your loose unit nominee this week! The kind rhetoric from the staffer is what has gotten us to where we are today in this country, if one’s POV is being irrationally considered akin to dictators of the early-mid 1900’s (MAGA = “fascists” & “nazis”), its no wonder people are being shot now, and if these people bashing you Jeff are the same ones who voted for Harris and watched Jimmy Kimmel, well I rest my case at that alone then…
What has got us to where we are in this country are the MAGATs who support an autocrat, sex pest, chauvinist, orangutan for president – not because they were duped, not because of the price of eggs – but because they have sadistic hate for their neighbors and for democracy. And yeah if you support Trump you’re a fascist not least because every actual Nazi in the country supports him. Own it. Stop pretending you support the rule of law, or freedom of speech, your hypocrisy is sickening.
“……… if you support Trump you’re a fascist………”
Using your “logic” (actually, stupidity), if you oppose Trump, you’re a communist……….Comrade………….
You and your ilk are destined for the lime pits Reggie retardo.
Show me.
Exactly. And now protecting pedophiles is also part of the MAGA brand. Amazing how quickly they all fell in line over the Epstein files cover-up.
It is so laughable how you and tigertree don’t understand what hypocrisy is and how it works.
You do realize you guys voted for Trumps’ opponent who as the leader of the previous administration, literally did the same thing in covering-up files and “protecting” pedophiles! So whether Trumps Admin is guilty of covering-up or not themselves, you and your ilk are clearly and absolutely no different and no better.
Thanks for the reminder that Joe Biden campaigned on a conspiracy theory that an elite cabal of pedos run DC and that he’d release the files. I also forgot that Joe was best friends with Epstein for more than 15 years and that they use to run beauty pageants together. Oh wait…
One hundred percent correct. The knee-jerk MAGA response about Biden is the height of dumbass-ness. Trump is in charge now. He campaigned on a promise to release the Epstein files, and is now stone-walling their release. He’s getting a big assist from the Christian hypocrite Speaker of the House Johnson and his pathetically compliant and grossly immoral Republican caucus, including Rep. Nick Begich, all of whom would rather cover for adults who raped children than help deliver justice to Epstein’s victims after so many years. Perhaps the most disgusting and profoundly hypocritical part of it all is that a couple… Read more »
Not to mention Epstein died under the watch of the Trump admin. Occam’s machete cleaves to: Trump killed Epstein. And, he killed Kirk too – worth more to MAGA as a martyr especially with the way he spoke out about Epstein (and Israel – thou doth protest too much Netanyahu)
Any similar contempt for a legislative staffer who abuses her position and the court system to tell lies under oath in a courtroom to support her dishonest boss?
I seem to remember Dunleavy running an almost singular campaign on promising a full PFD. I saw that accounting for inflation, this will be the smallest PFD ever given out.
That’s correct, it’s not Dunleavy’s fault though that it’s the amount that it is, look to the 60 lawmakers that are the one’s that choose what to appropriate (or not) to for our PFD every year…
No one has more blame for this year’s PFD amount than Dunleavy.
Alaska’s governor hold a veto pen over every appropriation. Dunleavy could have vetoed the $1,000 payment and forced the legislature to revisit it.
Instead, Dunleavy signed it into law.
In thick ink.
As if he was signing a letter nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
You really don’t follow Alaska politics that well do you? He would veto the amount and then make the legislature do what exactly? They’ve made clear they don’t want to give us the full amount, veto’n it and then getting overridden would’ve just been a circular move and a further waste of everyone’s time and tax payer dollars on the legislature being in session. If Alaskan’s want a full PFD, we need a new legislature that won’t break their campaign promises and do what is right. As for Trump and a Nobel Peace Prize, it’d be the only honest use… Read more »
“……..You really don’t follow Alaska politics that well do you?……..”
Stay tuned and watch Dan prove that (and so much more) regularly.
Dunleavy had full authority to veto the PFD appropriation, then call a special session and limit its agenda to increasing the PFD to any amount he saw fit.
But of course Dunleavy didn’t. Because hard.
My point remains unrefuted: By signing the budget with the $1,000 PFD appropriation, no one is more to blame for this year’s PFD amount than Dunleavy.
I’d probably hide behind an anonymous account, too, “Joe” if I supported a president who protects pedophiles like Trump is doing.
Oh Mark please, you’re the last person anyone wants to hear from or take advice on which politician’s are honorable and not the “protecting criminals” criminals type.
And btw, people like me are smart enough to not use their real name because of people like you in this world who will tattle to any little agency, or use any frivolous lawsuit against when they say or do truthful things you don’t like or agree with. Nice try though.
That’s a lot of hot air to avoid saying “the Epstein files should be released”. I’m sure your cowardly use of another anonymous account makes it a lot easier to support a criminal president who protects pedophiles.
Deflect, deflect, deflect… that’s all you know how to do huh Kelsey boy, couldn’t make it forever at a rag like the frontiersman so you now spend time harping people online about the Epstein issue that you likely not had a peep to say about for the years during the last administration now you’re all of the sudden interested… like I said in a prior chain, HYPOCRISY at its height. And like I said, I’d tell you my real name and even where you can come find me in this state if I didn’t have the concern that you’d try… Read more »
Sure “Joe”. You hide behind an anonymous account for one reason only: you’re a dishonest coward who likes to troll others without accountability. As a bonus, you can express enthusiastic support for a president who protects pedophiles without embarrassing yourself.
Because he is half Caucasian.
Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize! And he is gonna keep dropping bombs on Venezuelan boats until he gets it!
More important, at least for the future sustainability of Alaska, voters should remember who is responsible for starving public schools for so long.
He was on the Finance Committee as a Majority Senator, but according to Senator Dunleavy, the Governor was the only person with the power to give Alaskans a full PFD. How’d that go? Well, he was a premature livestream announcement from a Trump secretary appointment, so coulda been worse for Big Mike! (Not so great for Alaskans hoping to fund government via anything OTHER than PFD cuts ;))
Wonder if Claman’s gettin any of that?
Nothing gets Jeff off more than targeting a young woman who posted something stupid on the internet.
“One must hope that he is content with landing his blows on social media.”
In the case of “young”, gender has absolutely nothing to do with posting stupidity.
Limp dick Reggie is a baby bottle bitch
Are you 12?
Just being presidential.
President of the Alaska Popular Front?
Presidents of deez nuts boomer
Past puberty yet, Child? Where did you learn how to spell? The Anchorage public skool system?
I sure fed my share of babies their bottles. Sorry you didn’t get the nurturing you so desperately needed.
Is that what they call it on Epstein’s island?
I don’t know. I’ve never been there. Have you?
Indeed, have you ever been………….anywhere?
Ask yer boy Pedolph Diddler
You’re the guy who wants to know…………..something. Ask him yourself. There have been multiple investigations. You don’t accept the results? Sorry. I guess it just sucks to be you.
Careful boomer yer blood pressure is rising.
Meds. A miracle of science. They work well. Like vaccines. If you live long enough, you might learn a thing or two.
I bet your mom ate lots of Tylenol.
Yup. Way too much. Not me. It’s bad for your liver.