Road-repair bill reveals friction between Republican leaders of different groups in Alaska Senate

by James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
March 10, 2025

A bill intended to fix potholes in a popular road within Chugach State Park has also exposed rocky relationships between two leaders of the Alaska State Senate.

The Senate voted 18-1 on Monday to pass Senate Bill 47, which would allow the municipality of Anchorage to repair Canyon Road, within the park. 

Normally, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is responsible for road maintenance within the park, but Anchorage voters, dissatisfied with the state’s work, approved a $4 million bond in 2024 that puts local money into road maintenance. SB 47 is necessary for that money to be spent legally.

The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and the lone vote against it came from Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla.

Shower said after the vote that his opposition wasn’t due to the bill itself, but because of disagreements with its author.

It’s a matter of personal respect, Shower said. 

Giessel refuses to look him in the eyes on the Senate floor, he said. In a recent Senate Transportation Committee meeting, she didn’t acknowledge his presence. When Shower’s granddaughter was introduced as a guest on the Senate floor, Giessel didn’t applaud along with the rest of the senators.

If Giessel isn’t willing to show common courtesy, Shower said, she shouldn’t expect his support for personal legislation.

“There’s a certain level of decorum and respect that’s expected,” he said.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Giessel said when asked about Shower’s comments. “I don’t have a comment.”

Shower said he’s spoken privately to Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, about the disagreement.

For several years, Republicans in the state Senate have been split between those who follow a strict party line and those willing to serve in a coalition majority that includes Democrats in leadership positions. 

Republican Party officials have repeatedly criticized Stevens, Giessel and other senators for their willingness to work across party lines.

Shower regularly appears on talk radio and has criticized those coalition Republicans by name.

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