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.

Video: Sheffield, Sullivan on Honeman's fundraising calls - 1/11/2012 7:11 pm

Sullivan proposes killing I/M program six months early - 1/11/2012 11:44 am

Mayoral candidate accuses Sullivan of 'cronyism' over consulting contract - 1/6/2012 9:54 am

Two finalists for Anchorage school superintendent's job announced - 12/15/2011 9:38 am

Murkowski has "great concerns" about Obama consumer watchdog pick - 12/6/2011 3:36 pm

Lisa Murkowski wants investigation of why feds won't prosecute Bill Allen on sex charges - 11/28/2011 12:03 pm

Palin: I'm not running for president (Updated with video) - 10/5/2011 2:50 pm

Elections round-up: Taxes and bonds, plastic bags and politicians - 10/5/2011 10:49 am

Palin leaves country for troop visit

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage –

Gov. Sarah Palin is on her way to an undisclosed "overseas" location to visit deployed Alaska National Guard troops.

From Palin’s Twitter feed:

"Travel now to bring appreciation from their Alaska family & Natl Guard leadership to heroes in US European Command's area of responsibility."

The European command's area of responsibility includes Europe, Russia, the Caucusus and Greenland. I'm not sure where all the state's National Guard troops are deployed in that area, but we know from news coverage some are in Kosovo (they gave vice president Joe Biden a helicopter ride last month).

Here's what the governor's office had to say:

“She’s traveling overseas. For security purposes, the governor’s office cannot release information until it is cleared by (the Department of Defense),” said Palin’s spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow.

Leighow said Palin is travelling with Craig Campbell, commander of the Alaska National Guard, and Alaska Command Sgt. Maj. Gordon Choat. She said they’ll be going to training exercises, promotion ceremonies and hospitals. Leighow said Palin will be on the trip through the weekend.

This follows Palin’s Monday visit to an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Alaska.

Watching flight operations Monday from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis  during the military joint-training exercise Northern Edge 2009. (Photo by Army Sgt. Ricardo Branch, Northern Edge Joint Information Bureau)Watching flight operations Monday from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis during the military joint-training exercise Northern Edge 2009. (Photo by Army Sgt. Ricardo Branch, Northern Edge Joint Information Bureau)

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