My first action learning that Mark Begich jumped into the gubernatorial race, thus crowding the field, was to apply to change my voter registration from lifelong Democrat to undeclared.

In the process, I learned that a majority of us feisty Alaskans (54 percent) had already made a similar decision and are registered as independent or non-partisan. I am really nervous about three-way ticket at home between Walker, Begich and a Republcan, and I wish Begich, who is considerably younger than Gov. Bill Walker, would instead try to unseat U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.

We currently enjoy a uniquely Alaskan coalition that Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott have crafted, and I believe the best deal for Alaskans is to let the current leadership proceed for another four years. Destructive political splintering is tearing our country apart. Walker and Mallott are moving forward on jobs, health care, fiscal stability and protecting the environment. Many fellow progressives in Juneau are very conflicted because splitting the democratic vote could leave us with an unmentionable governor.

Emily Kane,

Juneau