Alaskan Independence Party

The Alaskan Independence Party is a states rights political party headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was founded by Joe Fogler and officially incorporated as a party in 1984.[1]

## History[edit]

The Alaskan Independence Party was created by Joe Fogler, after running as an independent in the Alaska governor's race. In 1978, Fogler created the idea within the Alaskans For Independence (AFI) group. While this group was non-partisan, the party was created in 1984 as a states rights party. Fogler won 5.6% of the vote in 1986, which made the party an official party, along with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
Another important event in the AIP's history occurred in 1990. The party's nominees for governor dropped out, so Joe Fogler found Walter J. Hickel, a former Secretary of the Interior and former Alaska Governor under the Republican ticket, to run for the AIP. Hickel named state senator Jack Coghill his running mate after he had won the GOP nomination for Lieutenant Governor. This was possible mainly because the GOP nominee for governor, Arliss Sturgulewski, was too liberal on abortion, school prayer, and the death penalty. Hickel was able to attract enough votes away from the liberal GOP candidate and won the race, with 38.9% of the vote.
Hickel's term was riddled with controversy, being mocked in newspapers for his grandiose proposals. Several recalls were proposed, but Hickel was able to complete his term. Jack Coghill ran for governor but did not garner as much success as Hickel did, and only received 13% of the vote.[2]

## Positions[edit]

The AIP holds a states rights position with a special focus on a second Alaskan Independence vote. They maintain the first one to be corrupt. It views that an amendment should be created abolishing property taxes and income taxes. It also supports the direct election of the attorney general and all judges. It is socially conservative, supporting the right to homeschool, family values, and the right to bear arms. It also keeps an 'Alaska First' position.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ https://ballotpedia.org/Alaskan_Independence_Party
2. ↑ http://www.akip.org/introduction.html
3. ↑ http://www.akip.org/platform.html