Inspired by the work of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group of politically conservative Alaskans that includes business leaders, current state lawmakers, former politicians and an Outside blogger have formed their own version of DOGE in the 49th State.
DOGE Alaska is led by Rep. Jamie Allard (R-Eagle River). In posts on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, she called the group a “grassroots movement” for individuals to “report fraud, waste and abuse.”
Unlike Musk’s DOGE, the Alaska group has no decision-making power and is not affiliated with any government organization.
Instead, DOGE Alaska seeks to identify government spending it deems wasteful. Nothing on the group’s website explains what types of spending is considered “government waste.”
Allard is not the only sitting state lawmaker to join DOGE Alaska. Former Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton (R-Wasilla), is also involved, according to its website.
Neither Allard or Tilton responded to News-Miner requests for comment Monday.
Other DOGE Alaska team members include:
• Jordan Schuster, a Fairbanks-based realtor with Century 21
• Former Alaska Lt. Govs. Craig Campbell and Loren Leman
• Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan
• Bob Griffin, former member of the Alaska Board of Education
• Suzanne Downing, a blogger with Must Read Alaska
Griffin, a Gov. Mike Dunleavy appointee and longtime supporter of charter and correspondence schools in Alaska, served a five-year term on the state board of education. The Legislature voted not to confirm him for a second term in 2024. He is also a researcher with the Alaska Policy Forum.
Downing owned conservative blog Must Read Alaska for several years before selling the website to Homer businessman Jon Faulkner in 2024, although she still writes the majority of the site’s content. Property records show Downing owns a $300,000 home in Leon County, Florida with her husband Patrick Yack, executive director of Florida Public Media. Yack has served in that position since 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile.
At this time, it’s unclear how — if at all — DOGE Alaska plans to combat government spending it sees as unwarranted. Its website does encourage people to contact them with concerns on public spending.
Contact Carter DeJong at 907-459-7545 or cdejong@newsminer.com.
