I’m conceding, but I will keep working to help Alaskans  

I’ve lost this race by 23 votes in the final results. After consulting with several experts and reviewing various options, I have concluded that’s a large enough margin in this district that I’m conceding rather than spend money provided by my generous donors on a recount that would be extremely unlikely to change the result. This race is over. 

I really appreciate the support and kind words many of you have provided.   

In the State House, I worked on increasing K-12 education funding, protecting the Permanent Fund, stabilizing the Permanent Fund Dividend, raising awareness about the district’s unsafe roads (particularly in North Muldoon), and helping the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage cooperate more to provide better responses to the problems created by homelessness.  

I am particularly proud of my efforts in three areas.  I worked hard to offer and push for proposals to fix the State of Alaska’s structural deficit so that we will have enough money to pay for good schools, safe roads, and reliable public safety in the future.  

I was able to get legislation passed creating the Military and Veteran Family Help Desk to help our military members, military families, and veterans connect better with employment and educational opportunities in our state.   I also led the successful charge to raise the pay of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) so that they can be compensated fairly for their critical work helping our veterans.  

Finally, because my constituents are my most important focus, I am glad that I communicated more with the residents of House District 18 about the activities of the Legislature and other parts of Alaska state government.  I will continue to hold events until my term ends on January 21 to reach out and listen to the community, including Saturday Milkshakes with Cliff and Saturday Pancakes with Cliff.   

One of the best parts of being a candidate and a legislator is meeting great people and working to help them.  I think of a man who had eight children in public school and a demanding full-time job while also pursuing a college degree.  His family would benefit from the schools with qualified and experienced teachers that his children deserve. I was also glad that I could help a constituent get the Municipality of Anchorage to fix her fence properly after a municipal snowplow damaged it.    

I love this job and have been honored to serve in the Legislature for the past two years.  I am a lifelong Alaskan who has spent much of my life trying to improve the lives of Alaskans.   I hope for more progress now that the House has a tripartisan majority coalition (Democratic, Republican, and Independent) as well as a bipartisan Senate majority willing to do the hard work for Alaskans. 

I will not be returning to the Legislature next year, but I wish our newly elected Representative the best of luck during his term. We need to work on issues together so that working families can get ahead. 

Even though I won’t be serving in Juneau during the next session, I will continue to advocate for the people of North Anchorage and JBER. I look forward to working to make our community better, safer, and stronger in whatever capacity I’m able to. 

Thanks again to everyone who voted, volunteered, or contributed to help my campaign. I also express my enormous debt to my wife Theresa, who always goes above and beyond to support me. She made my races for the House and my legislative service possible.  

Until next time,

Cliff Groh 

P.S.  Pursuant to my promise in my e-mail message appealing for contributions to fund the potential recount that will not occur, my campaign will refund all those contributions received after that message went out.