Listeners of the Must Read Alaska Show podcast got a peek of how Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and conservative media work together when an unedited pre-show exchange between Bronson and host John Quick was accidentally posted online.
The conversation, which helped prep Bronson for the longer podcast interview, highlights the friendly relationship between the mayor and the right-wing website. It was Bronson’s third appearance as a guest on the podcast in the last 12 months.
The podcast, posted April 5 by Must Read Alaska, originally included five minutes of Quick coaching Bronson on potential topics before the start of the show. The unedited version has been deleted from the Must Read Alaska Show’s Apple Music page but can still be found online on the website TuneIn.
As mayor, Bronson generally avoids interviews with local media or public speaking without a script, opting instead to periodically appear on conservative-friendly outlets or to have his staff speak for him. In March, Alaska’s News Source wrote an exposé titled “The Quiet Mayor” highlighting repeated, failed attempts to interview Bronson about important issues within the municipality, including the mass exodus of high-level employees from city hall. For two months, he denied their requests.
“The ADN has rarely been able to speak directly with Mayor Bronson since his election, despite many requests,” said David Hulen, editor of the Anchorage Daily News. “This is a significant change from previous mayors, who were generally much more accessible.”
Quick did not ask Bronson to discuss any tough subjects, including the resignation of his chief of staff, Adam Trombley, that had been announced that morning. Bronson mentioned taking notes as Quick coached him on what topics to cover, and which ones to avoid.
After working out Zoom-related issues, Quick started by stating he “figured we could talk about a few good things that have happened in the last week.” He prompted Bronson to discuss applications for the Mayor’s Community Grants programs, some downtown development updates, and a city-hosted job fair.
“Junior is probably involved in that, the job fair.” Quick said of Bronson’s Chief Equity Officer, Junior Aumavae. “You should give him some props.”
Bronson then asked if they should talk about the Sullivan Arena, to which Quick advised against.
“People are done, I mean our listeners, at least, are homelessed-out,” Quick said.
Just before going live, they discussed whether to bring up the elections. Moderate and progressive candidates trounced their conservative competitors. Must Read Alaska publisher Suzanne Downing herself called the results a “referendum on our mayor and his administration.” In his conversation with Quick, Bronson mentioned Downing’s post-election update.
“Suzanne wrote her article real early this morning, so it is what it is,” Bronson said, as they agreed to touch on the subject.
Bronson instead went off topic to tell listeners about a team that he is creating to keep the unhoused out of downtown.
“We’re going to clean up downtown,” Bronson said. “And we’re just gonna say, ‘Hey this is where you can’t be. You can’t be living on the street downtown.’”
As discussed, Bronson spoke about the election near the end.
“I have to say, I don’t think the elections turned out quite as well as I thought,” Bronson said.
Bronson wrapped up by complaining about the snow.
The administration’s unprepared response to snowfall has been a thorn in Bronson’s side all winter, and is viewed as one of the driving forces behind poor performance by conservative candidates in April’s election.
“As I look out at my cul-de-sac, I’ve got this monster pile of snow that’s been there since mid-December and I’d like that to go away,” he said.
