Peter Gemma Interviews J.R. Myers

J.R. Myers is the Alaska Constitution Party (ACP) founder and now three term state chairman, and was our party’s nominee for Alaska Governor last year. He and his running mate, Maria Rensel, gained 2.5 percent of the vote in the first ACP statewide race in Alaska.

JR, tell us a bit about your background.

I was born in Great Falls, Montana on January 3, 1963,

and am the descendant of pioneers from several Northern and Central European countries, as well as the Cree/Metis people of Canada and Montana. I earned my B.S. in Liberal Arts, Cum Laude, from the University of Great Falls, where I eventually earned both a Master of Human Services and Master of Professional Counseling degrees. My political resume includes membership in the Alaskan Independence Party for seven years, rising to become AIP Vice Chairman. In 2010 I founded, and continue to Chair, the Alaska Constitution Party. I am also completing a two year term as President of the Alaska Counseling Association. I have dedicated my life to the service of others, striving to provide hope and healing in the Last Frontier, in my greenhouse and on property, my little cabin in the woods.

ACP was on the ballot in ’14 – how did you do it considering we’ve never had an affiliate in America’s biggest state. What’s next to get on the ballot – how are you progressing?

We obtained about 9,000 signatures to get on the ballot in 2014. My running mate and I had to run two separate petition drives, one for each of us. We were not allowed to coordinate this effort, per Alaska election law. This was a challenge, but we did it! Since we did not achieve the 3 percent vote threshold to stay ballot qualified, we need to petition again to get our candidates on the ballot. We have already begun the effort for our 2016 Presidential ticket. To date, we have gathered nearly 3,000 out of a goal of

4,500 signatures. We have started early, and have a year to turn in our signatures. However, we are determined to submit our signatures by July. We are on track, and see no major obstacles at this time.

Are you recruiting more CP members – how do you do that in Alaska?

We are constantly recruiting new members. While our party is small in numbers of registered voters, we continue to grow at the fastest rate of any party in Alaska. We stick to our core mission of education, elections, and advocacy. Our Ranger program leads the way in training citizens in their government oversight responsibilities. We keep a visible presence through attending various community and government meetings, by offering public testimony and by publicizing our activities via social media and our ACP website. We provide ongoing social media, radio and television interviews. Our members produce and post videos online. In short, we harness the energy of our members by encouraging them to partner with us in the areas of their greatest interest, which may be Life, Liberty or Property. We realize that people are often already active in these areas of personal passion. We seek to unleash this potential by providing an organized outlet for real meaningful action. Our influence on the political scene is magnified exponentially due to the excellent training, motivation and engagement of our Rangers and members.

How are you getting petitions signed for candidates – is there a different process to get party registrations?

We employ a combination of paid and volunteer signature collectors. We have established and maintained a good relationship with petition gatherers. This has been very effective, especially when trying to meet strict petition deadlines. The process for getting party registrants has been allowed to develop at a natural rate of growth. Currently, about one or two people a week are choosing to register as Alaska Constitution Party members. This is our only measure of membership. Our main challenge is contacting our members effectively. The State of Alaska will provide physical addresses, but not phone numbers or e-mails to contact party registrants.

What are the most important CP stands for you?

Personally, I am most concerned about the constant assaults on the continuum of Human Life. This is the foundation for all else. The CP consistently defends the dignity and sanctity of innocent human life. We recognize this issue extends far beyond the abortion debate to include, assisted suicide, euthanasia, forced vaccinations, fully informed medical consent, medical ethics, adulteration of food and medicine, removing access to alternative medical care, government executions and illegal military operations.

Fiscal responsibility and limitation of the overreach of government at all levels is also paramount. We understand that the Constitution was adopted to limit government. We understand that government usurpations of legitimate authority are occurring at all levels. We understand that our election system demands transparency and authenticity. We understand that powerful interests limit candidate debate and media participation. We understand that corporations are not humans. We seek to restore the proper balance of power within the government, and to re-assert the primacy of the People over their servant government. Therefore, we seek the restoration of the Rule of Law via adherence to strict constitutional provisions. This is accomplished through education and accountability of ourselves and our leaders.

What do we believe in that resonates in Alaska – what’s your best CP recruiting tool?

Freedom resonates throughout Alaska! People know that government is not serving their interests, but rather has been warped by powerful special interests. Alaskans want an environment that maximizes freedom and opportunity. We are currently locked in a battle for the future of Alaska. Plummeting oil revenues have thrown the ingrained socialist policies of state government into disarray. We must now forge a way forward without the bloated government so many have come to expect and trust to support them. Government should never be the primary economic engine. We do not believe that we were created to be the property of the state, subject to constant wealth confiscation and restrictions to our Liberty! We believe the People are subject to God, and the Government is subject to the People!

Have you learned lessons – good ones and bad – that you’d pass along to states currently getting on the ballot?

Yes, start early. Be bold! Post the campaign on social media. Publicize the effort through talk radio and letters to the editor. Educate yourselves thoroughly on your local and state election laws. Organize your drive by area. Build trusting relationships with professional signature gatherers when possible. Utilize their knowledge of the process, when available. Find good locations, such as outside of libraries, post offices and stores (with permission). Be persistent!

Interview by Peter Gemma, Senior Editor of “The American Constitutionist”