By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 16, 2026 – An Anchorage printing company employee took to social media last week to criticize a local political candidate for using an online printing service for campaign materials rather than a local shop, raising concerns about professionalism and business ethics within the city’s small business community.
Patrick Foster, of AT Publishing in Anchorage, posted a message on Facebook criticizing Anchorage Assembly candidate Donald Handeland, who is running for the Eagle River seat on the Anchorage Assembly. The post accused Handeland of choosing an out-of-state printer instead of local businesses. Handeland has used local businesses, but also out-of-state businesses to keep costs under control.
The Foster message read in part:
“Donald prefers to use Lower 48 print shops (like VistaPrint) for his campaign when there are plenty of fully qualified local shops. He might be a great Assembly member if elected, but take that as an indicator that he will easily avoid local businesses if elected. It hurts.”
The post was later removed after another client reportedly confronted Foster about publicly attacking a political candidate who had previously done business with his company.
According to people familiar with the situation, Handeland had used AT Publishing for some past printing work but chose an online printer for a recent campaign mailer because the company offered a steep discount and he had accumulated credits with the service.
Campaign vendors and consultants note that it is common practice for political campaigns to shop around for the best prices on mailers, signs, and printed materials. Campaign budgets are typically tight, and candidates frequently use a mix of local and national vendors depending on price, turnaround time, and available discounts.
What raises eyebrows in this case was the decision by a local vendor to publicly attack a current or former client who is in a political race.
Businesses typically avoid publicly disparaging customers, particularly in politically sensitive situations, because it can create reputational risks and concerns among other clients about confidentiality and professionalism.
Ballots go out in the mail by Tuesday for the Anchorage Municipal Election for Anchorage’s mail-in election. Those ballots are also printed by companies not within the city-borough limits.
One thought on “Anchorage printer publicly criticizes Assembly candidate over out-of-state campaign printing”
First, would have been appropriate for you to reach out to me for comment since you’re mentioning me in your story. Clearly, this is a bit of a hit piece. I do not own A.T. Publishing. Just an employee. If you had called me you would have learned that. Second, I pulled the post because I knew I was wrong. No one confronted me. Third, I could explain the circumstances that led me to make such an irrational post, and there are circumstances, but explaining them will just make things bad for other folks. I sent a personal apology to Mr. Handeland and hope he accepts it or even reaches out.
I do not really care why people shop outside, and I work hard to communicate with folks that printing locally helps keep the money here circulating. But me publicly blowing that up on Mr. Handeland was uncalled for and I own my mistakes.
I am more than happy to talk this over with anyone.