By SUZANNE DOWNING
April 27, 2026 – A retirement gathering for Senator Gary Stevens and Senator Lyman Hoffman on Sunday evening in Juneau’s Centennial Hall drew a crowd of lawmakers, staff, lobbyists and political figures marking the end of the longtime senators’ tenures. But amid the well-wishes and farewells, attention shifted to a different matter: Active lobbying on one of the most closely watched bills of the session: Senate Bill 64.
According to multiple attendees, veteran lobbyist and former lawmaker Jerry Mackie was working the room, focusing much of his time on Republican Sens. Mike Cronk and Rob Yundt. Conversations overheard by others suggested Mackie was urging support for an override of a predicted gubernatorial veto on Senate Bill 64, the sweeping election system rewrite passed by the Legislature this year.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has until April 30 to either sign or veto the measure. If he takes no action, the bill will become law without his signature. As of now, the governor has not publicly indicated his decision.
Senate Bill 64 has been identified by majority Democrats as a priority measure. They are raising money by publicizing its great aspects. The bill proposes significant changes to Alaska’s election system, and it has drawn sustained criticism from some Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators, including this author, who argue it introduces vulnerabilities and complicates election administration.
Alaska Democrats celebrate controversial election bill, SB 64, and are using it to raise money
Mackie, a longtime figure in Alaska politics, is widely known for his close association with Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski’s political network and aligned groups were instrumental in the 2020 ballot initiative that established Alaska’s current ranked-choice voting system. That system remains controversial among segments of the electorate.
It is not clear whom Mackie is representing in his efforts on SB 64. However, it is well known that he has been actively lobbying legislators in the Capitol in recent weeks as the bill moved through its final stages. And it’s not uncommon for lobbyists in Juneau to use events such as this to target specific lawmakers.
The bill itself is sponsored by Bill Wielechowski, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Rules Committee. While Wielechowski has not been publicly prominent in recent advocacy for the bill, other lawmakers have taken a more visible role.
Among them is Rep. Sarah Vance, a Republican from Homer, who has been actively promoting the legislation. Vance is currently facing an ethics complaint and has drawn scrutiny from within her own party. It’s well understood that her her support for SB 64 could become a factor if the Legislature is called upon to vote on a veto override; it’s predicted she will vote to override the Republican governor, which will make life difficult in the Republican caucus in Juneau.
To override a gubernatorial veto in Alaska, a two-thirds majority vote is required in a joint session of the House and Senate. That threshold typically necessitates bipartisan support, making the positions of a small number of lawmakers especially consequential.
As the April 30 deadline approaches, activity surrounding SB 64 appears to be intensifying both publicly and behind the scenes. Vance has taken to Facebook to deliver innuendo messages to the governor that she may vote with the Democrats to kill the Alaska LNG legislation he has filed, and she may vote with the Democrats to push a change in the Alaska Constitution that would take power from the executive branch. Her threats have not gone unnoticed.
But now, prominent lobbyist Jerry Mackie’s activities are coming to the fore as the veto deadline approaches.
2 thoughts on “Lobbyist leans in: SB 64 veto override push surfaces at Stevens-Hoffman retirement party”
Of all the years They been in the legislature they did nothing Right that put Alaska in a better position and direction for Millennials (36-50 year olds) GenZ(24-35), GenAlpha(8-22) and this next generation GenBeta(7 and younger)
Now their generation leaves Alaskans with an Alaskan leadership just as selfish as them and in worse position.
Leaving just little too late that they can see their crowd’s bad leadership mentoring of today’s leaders and just on time that in a year to five years no one will remember them and remember they had something to do with Alaska’s downward trajectory.
Then I would urge all of you to support a leadership change in the Alaska Republican Party. There are two new assertive candidates seeking to have the party change from a personality driven party to an operationally functional organization.
These are veterans with much experience to put together a working team. They can deal with mediocrity and help grow the party.