A state judge in Anchorage is expected to issue a decision soon on a preliminary injunction request that would make Representative David Eastman ineligible as a candidate for the Alaska House of Representatives.
The injunction request comes from former Mat-Su Borough Assembly Member Randall Kowalke. Kowalke, who is represented by attorneys from the Northern Justice Project, is suing both Representative Eastman and the Alaska Division of Elections. The suit claims that Eastman’s membership in the Oath Keepers organization violates the Alaska Constitution’s loyalty clause. That clause prohibits anyone who belongs to a group seeking the violent overthrow of the government from running for office.
Judge Jack McKenna heard oral arguments on the injunction in his Anchorage Superior Courtroom on Tuesday. According to the Alaska Beacon, he is expected to issue a ruling on Thursday.
Even if Eastman were to be disqualified prior to the November election, his name would remain on the ballot, since those were finalized by the Division of Elections earlier this month.
In a previous interview with KTNA, Eastman has said the lawsuit is purely politically motivated. He has also consistently maintained that his presence in Washington, D.C. on January 6th of last year had no connection to the riots at the U.S. Capitol.
