Press Release: Defend Our Constitution Announces Statewide Coalition Opposing 2022 Constitutional Convention Question

Bipartisan Coalition Features More Than 150 Alaskans from Diverse Geographic and Political Backgrounds

For Immediate Release

April 7, 2022 (ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Today, Defend Our Constitution ­– a group formed to oppose the November 2022 constitutional convention ballot question – announced ­a growing, bipartisan coalition featuring more than 150 Alaskans from diverse political and geographic backgrounds.

“This growing coalition represents Alaskans from all walks of life. We are your neighbors, small business owners, advocates, and leaders from across the political and geographic spectrum,” said the Defend Our Constitution Co-Chairs. “Our coalition looked past our policy and political differences to come together around a single issue–– the belief that a Constitutional Convention is not the answer to Alaska’s many challenges. In the months ahead, we look forward to engaging Alaskans to make the very serious case as to why a Constitutional Convention is unnecessary, expensive, and dangerous to our state, our people, our business community, and to future generations. We are proud of the overwhelming response and engagement we’ve received from Alaskans who understand the inherent risk, instability, and unintended consequences created by opening Alaska’s Constitution to fundamental rewrite. Alaskans have rejected the call for a Constitutional Convention at each opportunity, and we strongly encourage Alaskans to do so again. Simply put, the risk of Constitutional Convention outweighs the reward.”

Defend Our Constitution Coalition Members include:

Defend Our Constitution is a coalition of Alaskans united in opposition to the November 2022 general election question: “Shall there be a constitutional convention.” The group was formed in December 2021 as a ballot measure group opposing the ballot question. Campaign Co-Chairs include: Cathy Giessel of Anchorage, John Coghill of Fairbanks, Bruce Botelho of Juneau, Rep. Bryce Edgmon of Dillingham, Gail Schubert of the Bering Straits region, Joelle Hall of Anchorage, Bill Corbus of Juneau, and Luke Hopkins of Fairbanks.

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