Newsletter - October 6th, 2026
Judicial Retention Elections Are Upon Us and Judges Will Be on Your Ballot
The Alaska Judicial Council conducted a comprehensive review of every judge on your ballot. Alaskans for Fair Courts urges you to follow the Alaska Judicial Council’s recommendations and vote on the judges. Your vote is important.
VOTE “YES” to RETAIN the following judges:
- Supreme Court Justice Jude Pate, Statewide
- Superior Court Judge Daniel E. Doty, Ketchikan
- Superior Court Judge Katherine H. Lybrand, Ketchikan
- Superior Court Judge David L. Roghair, Utqiagvik
- Superior Court Judge Laura Hartz, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge Yvonne Lamoureux, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge Jack R. McKenna, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge David A. Nesbett, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge Christina Rankin, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge Christina “Tina” Reigh, Dillingham
- Superior Court Judge Ian Wheeles, Anchorage
- Superior Court Judge Jonathan A. Woodman, Palmer
- District Court Judge Chris Darnall, Anchorage
- District Court Judge Shawn D. Traini, Palmer
- Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Peters, Bethel
- Superior Court Judge Kirk Schwalm, Fairbanks
- Superior Court Judge Amy K. Welch, Fairbanks
- District Court Judge Benjamin A. Seekins, Fairbanks
Vote “NO” on the following two judges who did not meet the performance standards:
- District Court Judge Martin Fallon, Kenai
Judge Fallon failed to meet performance standards for diligence and administrative skills, and integrity. - Superior Court Judge Kelly J. Lawson, Kenai
Judge Lawson failed to meet performance standards for judicial temperament and integrity.
More information on all judges who are on the ballot is available on the Alaska Judicial Council website: https://www.ajc.state.ak.us/retention/current2026.html
