Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics, state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has rarely been more interesting -- a full slate of federal and state elections, the influence of former Gov. Sarah Palin, 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.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. 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.

David Hulen

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

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

When the FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, it publicly launched an investigation that ultimately reached the highest levels of Alaska politics, and continues to this day.

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Juneau Senate seat update: Nelson withdraws

From the Associated Press --

JUNEAU — One of three people Gov. Sarah Palin has recommended for a vacant state Senate seat for Juneau is withdrawing his name.

The governor's office on Thursday said Joe Nelson is withdrawing as a candidate.

In a letter to Palin, Nelson says it's clear that Senate Democrats will not support any candidate that is not fully supported by the Juneau Democratic Party.

Palin this week submitted three names to Senate Democrats, who must confirm the choice. Her first choice was Tim Grussendorf, followed by Nelson and Alan D. Wilson. Both Grussendorf and Nelson already have been rejected by Democrats on previous submissions.

Palin says it is "unfortunate Mr. Nelson was judged by some who didn't take the time or make an effort to review his strong credentials and educational background."

***

Read the Nelson letter here.

Here's the text:

April 15, 2009

Governor Palin
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801

RE: Juneau Senate Appointment

Dear Governor Palin:
Please accept this as my official withdrawal from the appointment process for Senate district B. It has become clear to me that the Senate Democrats are not going to support any candidate that is not fully supported by the Juneau Democrats. Unfortunately, the Juneau Democrats thus far are not willing to support anyone other than their number one candidate (or a placeholder until the next election).

Despite working for two of the top downtown democrats in Juneau for the last five years, the party leaders maintain their empty claim that I am ‘unknown in the party’. They have also mentioned that I do not have ‘enough political experience’ under my belt, ignoring the fact that I have been elected to the board of directors twice by 20,000 shareholders whose political ties to southeast predate statehood and this country.

This afternoon the Senate Majority Leader told me that he thought it would be illegal to reconsider my name, so the Senate Democrats were not planning to reconsider me or Mr. Grussendorf. A few other Senate Democrats also mentioned legal concerns about the process and reaffirmed their commitment to the Juneau Democrats. It is clear to me that some the Senators are invoking untested legal arguments in order to maintain their partisan stance, but my main point in mentioning this is that the key players are digging in rather than looking for a middle ground for the benefit of Juneau.

It is unfortunate that Juneau is still without a Senator, but I want to thank you for advancing my name. My qualifications have never been in question. My only downfall in this process has been the fact that I am not ‘the one candidate’ (or a placeholder) that the Juneau Democrats are supporting. I am truly honored to be considered to fill Juneau's Senate seat. I am comforted by the broad support I am continuing to receive, but I also look forward to continuing my service in other ways for now.

Sincerely,
/s/
Joe Nelson
Juneau, Alaska 99801

Here's the statement put out this morning from the governor's office:

April 16, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today accepted a letter from Joe Nelson requesting his name be withdrawn from consideration for Senate District B.

In his letter to Governor Palin, Nelson writes, “It has become clear to me that the Senate Democrats are not going to support any candidate that is not fully supported by the Juneau Democrats. Unfortunately, the Juneau Democrats thus far are not willing to support anyone other than their number one candidate (or a placeholder until the next election).”

“Despite working for two of the top downtown Democrats in Juneau for the last five years, the party leaders maintain their empty claim that I am ‘unknown in the party’. They have also mentioned that I do not have ‘enough political experience’ under my belt, ignoring the fact that I have been elected to the board of directors twice by 20,000 shareholders whose political ties to Southeast predate statehood and this country.”

“While I am disappointed that Mr. Nelson has made this decision, I certainly understand,” Governor Palin said. “It is unfortunate Mr. Nelson was judged by some who didn’t take the time or make an effort to review his strong credentials and educational background. Mr. Nelson, a lifelong resident of Southeast, is well qualified to represent the people of this district. I know he will continue to make a lasting contribution to this community.”

© Copyright 2011, The Anchorage Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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