September 10, 2026, by Jim Fredrickson

Alaska’s official state mammal is the moose. I’m thinking perhaps it should be changed to the sheep. No, not the majestic Dall Sheep, but the common sheep found on a farm, the sheep that gather in flocks and follow a shepherd, no matter who that shepherd is.

For the past decade or so, Alaska has, as a voting bloc, been following a “shepherd” named Donald Trump. We’ve been electing individual sheep like Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich who follow that man wherever he leads. They are not leaders or independent thinkers. They are sheep.

I am registered as a Non-Partisan Voter (ie, independent thinker). Since I moved to Alaska in 1973, I have voted for Republicans, Democrats and others for national, state and local offices. I support issues and individuals and am not beholden to any political party.

The Republican Party as I knew it no longer exists. It has sold out to Donald Trump. I call them the Trumplican Party and will not vote for anyone who supports it.

This November it’s time to throw off the sheep’s clothing and stand tall like a moose and vote for those not endorsed by Trump. I support JKT for Governor, Mary Peltola for US Senate, Bill Hill for US Congress and Kathy Simpler for State House. And I will vote NO on Ballot Measure 2 to keep ranked choice voting and keep out dark money.

Voters of Seward, I hope you will join me.

Jim Fredrickson