Alaska Politics Blog : Harris on his bid for governor

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.

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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

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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.

Harris on his bid for governor

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Posted: July 7, 2009 - 5:13 pm

House Speaker John Harris, R-Valdez, left, talks with Gov. Sarah Palin in her office at the state Capitol Nov. 12, 2007, in Juneau. (AP Photo/Seanna O'Sullivan)

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

Valdez Republican Rep. John Harris today filed a letter of intent to run for governor with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

He’ll formally announce he’s running tomorrow, but it’s no secret. He’s made it clear in the past that he’d run if Palin didn’t.

“It’s a practical thing. I don’t know if anybody could have beat (Palin) in a primary race for governor. Maybe Lisa Murkowski, but not me,” Harris said in a quick phone interview today. “Now that she’s decided not to run, it’s basically an open seat.”

Here’s who he considers potential contenders on the Republican side: former gubernatorial candidate John Binkley, former Rep. Ralph Samuels and “maybe” former Sen. Ralph Seekins or outgoing University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton.

“On the Democrats side, I’ve heard Les Gara of course. Ethan Berkowitz. Sen. Hollis French and of course Bob Poe.”

As for Sean Parnell, Harris says the incoming governor can be beaten — Palin endorsement or not. Rep. Don Young, did it, he said.

Either way, Harris said he’ll give up his House seat when his term ends. “If I win the governor’s race, I’ll be governor and if I don’t’ win, I’ll be nothing. That’s the way it works.”