Braund pulls out after being selected by governor to fill Dunleavy’s seat

JUNEAU — After Senate Republicans rejected Gov. Bill Walker’s nomination of Mat-Su Borough Assembly member Randall Kowalke to fill the seat vacated by District E Senator Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday, Walker made a second choice, who was from the list of three chosen by the Mat-Su GOP nominating contingent.

Walker tapped Thomas Braund, of Sutton, to fill in for Dunleavy, whose seat comes open ahead of August’s primary. Dunleavy had vacated the seat to focus on his run for governor in the August primary in the hopes of squaring off against the Independent incumbent in November.

However, Thursday afternoon Braund announced his withdrawal from consideration, leaving only Todd Smoldon, of Willow, and George Rauscher, who is a sitting District 9 Representative in the state legislature, in the original three.

Walker’s office released the following statement after choosing Braund:

“To be clear, the Governor absolutely does not endorse any of the three nominees sent to him by the Republican Party, including Thomas Braund. The Senate Republicans rejected the Governor’s nominee—Randall Kowalke—and then publicly demanded that he appoint one of the three nominees endorsed by Party officials. Essentially, they announced they would deprive the people in Senate District E of representation unless this demand was met. The Governor does believe that District E is entitled to representation. Accordingly, all questions regarding Mr. Braund’s fitness and qualifications for office should be directed to the Republican Party— who did vet Mr. Braund and, by vote, endorsed his beliefs as acceptable to them—as well as to the Senate Republicans who rejected Mr. Kowalke and specifically requested such a Party-approved nominee. The Alaska Republican Party and the Senate Republicans now have the nominee they demanded.”

Braund would have been a difficult choice for Senate Republicans to approve, largely due to his frequent and inflamatory remarks on social media, including this post from 2017:

“Got to get a godly Legislature,” Braund wrote. “If I had the reins, this would be murder and the abortionists and all their accessories would be hunted and executed with scissors cutting their hearts out. Oh, I forgot, they don’t have hearts.”

Braund said in a letter that he was declining because of personal reasons, mainly that he had to devote his time to taking care of a long-time friend.

“In making this decision, I realize I will disappoint many who have wanted my style of duty for so long, some who have worked long hours to make this happen to get one from this list of 3, some who would invest in my seat to get what Alaskan’s need, good decisions for them,” Braund wrote in the letter.

Republicans had been upset with Walker’s pick of Kowalke, because the Assembly Member who represents the Willow and Talkeetna areas of the Mat-Su was not among the three chosen by the Mat-Su nominating group. He was however among the 10 in consideration, and had previously announced his 2018 candidacy for the Senate E slot.

“Randall is the best person to represent this district,” Governor Walker said when he chose Kowalke. “He brings a wealth of perspective to the Senate at this critical moment in Alaska’s history, and will do an excellent job representing the values of the people of Senate District E.”

Hours after Braund's declining, State Republican Chair Tuckerman Babcock sent a letter to the governor saying the following:

“Dear Governor Walker,

Mr. Braund has withdrawn his name from consideration. While you still have two fine recommendations to choose from, in the interest of providing you a full list of nominees, I am forwarding the next name on the list of applicants considered by Districts 9 and 10.

Vicki Chaffin Wallner of Palmer.

Thank you for your sincere consideration.”

Chaffin is probably best-known in the Valley as Board Member, Mat-Su Crime Stoppers & Co-Coordinator, Mat-Valley Neighborhood Watch.

Walker is required to make another selection by Feb. 25.