Alaska Democratic Party Leadership 2602 Fairbanks Street Anchorage, AK 99503 October 8, 2020 Dear Alaska Democratic Party Leadership: The prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault continues to be an issue that plagues our state and so many of our communities. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to work together to find solutions to confront this scourge in order to create a safer and healthier Alaska. Now, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and every day, it must be the goal of ALL political leaders to speak up when these issues arise. As such, we write today to express our extreme disappointment in learning that Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Al Gross hired and continues to employ a political operative, a Mr. David Keith, who was fired from his position as the Political Director of the Progressive Caucus PAC in June or July of 2019 under allegations of “sexual harassment, abusive behavior and inappropriate language.” According to reports, Keith was fired following well-documented allegations and a subsequent investigation into alarming behavior that included “inappropriate sexual comments”, “crude and derogatory language to describe women and gay people,” “angry outbursts” and “throwing things at his subordinates.” Following his dismissal, Keith relocated to Alaska where he accepted a position as Campaign Manager for Dr. Al Gross for U.S. Senate. According to Gross’ own financial disclosures, Keith’s employment began within days of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s June 24, 20191 news report on this highly toxic and unacceptable behavior. Attached you will find a July 16, 2019 article, entitled, “Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC staffer accused of sexual harassment no longer working for group” from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2 for your reference. The article states: “Seven sources … told the Journal Sentinel that Keith routinely made inappropriate sexual comments about female staffers and volunteers, used crude language and had angry outbursts – at times yelling and throwing things at his subordinates. 1 https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/06/24/progressive-caucus-pac-director-faces-accusationssexual-harassment/1525513001/ 2 https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/16/progressive-caucus-pac-staffer-accused-harassment-outgroup/1743865001/ “In one incident last year, sources said Keith screamed at staff and threw a water bottle during a meeting after learning some campaign workers left before 9 p.m.... “Keith also frequently used crude and derogatory words to describe women and gay people, and threatened to punish staff who didn't obey his orders, sources said. Several recalled him telling them, ‘If you cross me, I'll destroy your career.’” The Gross campaign’s hiring of David Keith was so alarming that on August 5, 2019, the Alaska Young Democrats sent a letter to the Alaska Democratic Party Leadership voicing their serious concerns. Their letter stated: “There are serious allegations of inappropriate conduct and abusive behavior perpetrated by the U.S. Senate candidate’s current campaign manager while on previous contracts outside of Alaska.” In addition to raising concerns, the Alaska Young Democrats requested copies of the Human Resources Investigation Report conducted by the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and “a justification for the hiring decision in the wake of such serious and public allegations.” Given our state’s unfortunate history with issues of sexual harassment and abuse, including within Alaska’s own political circles, we too – like the Alaska Young Democrats –– would like answers. We know the very strong record Senator Dan Sullivan has in combatting issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in our state and country. But Alaskans deserve to know the type of record Al Gross has in addressing these critical issues. Unfortunately, it appears that as one of his first decisions as a candidate for the U.S. Senate Al Gross turned a blind eye to abuse and sexual harassment. This type of behavior should not be tolerated. Respectfully, Colleen Sullivan-Leonard Representative District 7 Shelley Hughes Senator District F Sara Rasmussen Representative District 22 Kelly Merrick Representative District 14 Sharon Jackson Representative District13 Rep. Sarah Vance Representative District 31 Rep. Cathy Tilton Representative District 12 Rep. DeLena Johnson Representative District 11 To: Casey Steinau – Alaska Democratic Party Chair Katherine Pfeiffer – Alaska Democratic Party Secretary Carolyn Covington – Treasurer Brenda Knapp – DNC Committee Women Charles Degnan – DNC Committee Man Lindsay Kavanaugh – Alaska Democratic Party Executive Director CC: Speaker Bryce Edgmon, Representative Matt Claman Representative Harriet Drummond Representative Zach Fields Representative Neal Foster Representative Sara Hannan Representative Grier Hopkins Representative Andy Josephson Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins Representative Ivy Spohnholz Representative Andi Story Representative Geran Tarr Representative Chris Tuck Representative Adam Wool Representative Tiffany Zulkosky Senator Tom Begich Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson Senator Lyman Hoffman Senator Scott Kawasaki Senator Jesse Kiehl Senator Donny Olson Senator Bill Wielechowski Anchorage Daily News KTUU Fairbanks Daily Newsminer Juneau Empire Associated Press Alaska Public Media Network MatSu Valley Frontiersman YourAlaskaLink Peninsula Clarion Ketchikan Daily News News of the North – KINY KOTZ Radio Homer News Sitka Sentinel