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Alaska: Las Vegas casino executive linked to Eklutna gaming hall donates $20K in Eagle River House race

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 2:51 PM
Image aggregated from Anchorage Daily News.
  • Alex DeMarban, Anchorage Daily News

The chief executive of a gaming company behind a controversial tribal casino near Anchorage gave a large, last-minute donation to a candidate in a closely watched Alaska House race in Eagle River.

Anthony Marnell III — chairman and CEO of Marnell Companies, a Las Vegas firm that works in gaming, hospitality and other industries — donated $20,000 on Thursday to Ruby Jones, who is running to represent southern Eagle River.

The donation is by far the largest for state House and Senate races in the final week before Tuesday’s primary election, according to state fundraising records. It’s one of only a few legislative races with more than four candidates in the primary.