Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting -- the governor is a national figure in the wake of her 2008 run for vice president, Anchorage faces a heated mayoral race, we have a new U.S. senator, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. We encourage lively debate, but please keep it civil and stay on point. Don't use profanity, make crude comments or attack other posters. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose their ability to post comments.


Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics and is covering the 2009 legislative session. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

Don Hunter

Don Hunter covers Anchorage city government and politics. He is a longtime ADN reporter and editor and wrote for the Anchorage Times. E-mail Don at dhunter@adn.com

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's assistant managing editor for news, is responsible for state and local news coverage in the ADN, including politics. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

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Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

Gov. Sarah Palin coverage

Complete coverage, video and photo galleries of Gov. Sarah Palin as she commands and navigates the world of Alaska politics.

White House appoints former Alaska park official as director of the National Park Service - 7/10/2009 1:52 pm

It doesn't all add up to $1.9 million - 7/10/2009 11:03 am

Palin's team shoots back at Ramras. Plus: Schmidt on the lite guv job - 7/8/2009 8:08 pm

Palin mentor: "She has that magic" - 7/8/2009 12:45 pm

Legislature's lawyer doesn't think Campbell can be Lt. Gov on July 26 (Updated with Ramras calling a confirmation hearing) - 7/8/2009 12:18 pm

Palin to campaign in Texas, maybe Virginia - 7/8/2009 11:45 am

Harris on his bid for governor - 7/7/2009 5:13 pm

Poll: 40 % of Republicans say Palin hurt her chance to be president - 7/7/2009 2:31 pm

Palin's interview blitz: 'Politically speaking, if I die, I die. So be it.' - 7/7/2009 10:12 am

Parnell says he'll keep Palin's chief of staff - 7/6/2009 6:05 pm

An only-in-Alaska tale: how Murkowski heard Palin's news - 7/6/2009 4:51 pm

Palin gone fishing. Next: Kotzebue? - 7/6/2009 12:32 pm

Does Palin have the VP Jinx? - 7/6/2009 10:20 am

UPDATE: Palin to resign as governor - 7/3/2009 10:04 am

Palin gets Sitting Duck Award - 7/2/2009 12:47 pm

French files intent to run for governor, says it doesn't mean he's running - 7/1/2009 6:00 pm

Troopergate looks to have dominated state costs for ethics complaints - 7/1/2009 8:43 am

Palin sparks internal GOP warfare. Again. - 7/1/2009 8:03 am

Sullivan names spokesperson, city attorney - 6/30/2009 3:30 pm

Sean Parnell questions Young's candidacy - 6/30/2009 3:02 pm

Cabinet secretaries to visit Alaska on rural tour - 6/30/2009 2:17 pm

Judge in Stevens' trial: Do federal prosecutors have a pattern of mishandling evidence? - 6/30/2009 2:05 pm

Powell on Palin: 'I just don't think she contributed to the ticket at this time'

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From David Hulen in Anchorage --

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was on CNN yesterday, talking about Palin and the future of the Republican Party. The full interview airs Sunday. Here's a clip:


I think she had something of a polarizing effect when she talked about small town values are good. Well, most of us don't live in small towns. I was raised in the South Bronx and there's nothing wrong with my value system from the South Bronx. And when they came to Virginia and said, you know, the southern part of Virginia is good but the northern part of Virginia is bad. The only problem with that is there are more votes in the northern part of Virginia than there are in the southern part of Virginia so that doesn't work. But it was that attempt on the part of the party to use polarization for political advantage that I think backfired. And I think the party has to take a hard look at itself. There's nothing wrong with being conservative, there's nothing wrong with having socially conservative views, I don't object to that. But if that party wants to have a future in this country, it has to face some realities. In another 20 years, the majority in this country will be the minority...

Later:

I think she came out on the national stage a little too soon. But she's a smart woman and a very distinguished woman -- I just don't think she contributed to the ticket at this time. We're going to have to rely not just on slogans, you know, Joe the Plumber and 'they're socialists,' that kind of labeling that shifted almost every day, was not an effective response to what Sen. Obama was doing in showing a consistent set of views...


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