By SUZANNE DOWNING
Feb. 23, 2026 – Alaska House Republicans issued a formal statement Monday in response to the federal indictment of former legislative aide Craig Scott Valdez, saying they are “deeply disturbed” by the allegations and stand with survivors of sexual abuse. Valdez most recently worked for Sen. George Rauscher, but had also worked for Democrat-caucus member Sen. Roger Holland as a legislative aide.
Valdez, 36, was arrested in Juneau on Friday after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with multiple child exploitation crimes. According to federal court filings, he faces four counts involving the sex trafficking of children and the production of child pornography.
In their Monday statement, House Republicans described the charges as “some of the most serious and reprehensible crimes imaginable” and said the allegations represent a “profound abuse of power and trust.”
“While Mr. Valdez is entitled to due process under the law, the nature of the charges demands clear moral condemnation and an immediate, responsible institutional response,” the caucus statement said.
Members of the minority caucus said they were outraged by the conduct described in the indictment and troubled that someone accused of such crimes “operated in our midst.”
“There is no place in public service—or in our society—for conduct that exploits or harms children,” the statement continued. “Individuals entrusted with public responsibility must be held to the highest ethical and legal standards, and allegations of this magnitude require decisive action, full transparency, and complete cooperation with law enforcement.”
The caucus also emphasized support for survivors.
“We stand with survivors of abuse and exploitation and reaffirm our commitment to protecting children and upholding the integrity of public institutions,” the statement said.
House Republicans said they fully support ongoing investigations and “the prosecution of all crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case remains pending in federal court, and no trial date has yet been announced. Valdez was transferred to Anchorage Correctional Complex from the Juneau Lemon Creek Correctional Center over the weekend.
2 thoughts on “House Republicans address allegations against former legislative aide”
How long ago did he switch from democrat to republican?
You know what’s even sadder. Is there are STILL legislators and staffers who listened to all that and its still not enough to change their own behavior.
How many charged, arrested, convicted men will it take?