Troopergate figure to run for governor

ANCHORAGE - State Sen. Hollis French, a major figure in last fall's Troopergate investigation, officially filed paperwork Wednesday to run for governor.

The Democrat last fall oversaw the investigation that looked into former Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner.

Palin fired Walt Monegan in July 2008. State lawmakers launched a $100,000 investigation to determine if Palin dismissed Monegan because he would not fire the governor's ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper who was involved in a messy custody battle with Palin's sister. The investigation ultimately concluded she did abuse her power of office, but the firing was legal since Monegan was an at-will employee.

Democrat Bob Poe also has filed to run for governor, as have Gerald L. Heikes, a Republican, and Donald R. Wright of the Alaskan Independence Party.