On Aug. 25, 1986, the day before the primary election for legislative candidates, where voters also got the chance to to support or oppose a policy promoting a worldwide freeze on the production of nuclear arms, Alaskans learned that someone had submitted false answers under Democratic Alaska gubernatorial candidate Steve Cowper.
The poll, sent out to candidates across the state by the Juneau Community Information League, asked for each candidates’ positions on various issues such as Native sovereignty and capital punishment. The JCIL received many completed questionnaires under Steve Cowper’s name, although the answers listed were in direct conflict with the former lawyer’s platform.
Meanwhile, the former director of the Division of Marine Operations for the state’s ferrying system filed a lawsuit against Gov. Bill Sheffield, claiming that his firing in the wake of budget cuts was politically motivated.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
