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

Democrats appear ready to take on Miller

From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --

This morning, the folks at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee barely knew who won the Democratic primary in Alaska. (In fact, in an appearance on ABC's online political program, TopLine, DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse couldn't recall his name.)

That would be Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams, who like many Alaskans, woke up to a much different general election than the one he fell asleep to last night. Votes are still being counted, but Fairbanks attorney Joe Miller appears to have ousted Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the GOP primary.

But Democrats have experience pulling off tough upsets in Alaska -- look no further than 2008's toppling by Sen. Mark Begich of Ted Stevens. By afternoon, the Democrats seemed to have regrouped -- and they certainly knew not only McAdams' name, but Miller's as well. In an e-mail blast, the DSCC labeled Miller a "dangerous enemy to middle-class Alaskans." They criticized his comments about Social Security, federal unemployment insurance and his stance on phasing out Medicare.

"Joe Miller seems more intent on imposing a strict social doctrine to please his out-of-state tea party backers but would leave the people of his state high and dry," said DSCC Communications Director Eric Schultz. "Alaskans deserve a senator who will stick up for them in the United States Senate."

The state Democratic party plans a 1 p.m. Alaska time press conference with McAdams, who "will explain why he can and will win in November."

Meanwhile, their GOP colleagues at the National Republican Senatorial Committee were quick to say they have no intention of letting go of the seat, as we reported earlier. The head of the NRSC, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, pledged to hold onto the seat, regardless of whether it's Miller or Murkowski on the ballot. "This seat will remain in Republican hands this November," he said.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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