Election 2018

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Opinion: Hannan stands with Democrats, unlike Dimond

I suppose I wasn’t surprised to see the endorsement by Gov. Bill Walker of candidate Chris Dimond. Although both Walker and Dimond profess to be… Continue reading

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Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad

Shame on the Republican Women of Juneau for using an anti-Semitic trope in their recent mailer against Jesse Kiehl. The advertisement depicts a man, meant… Continue reading

Opinion: the Republican Women of Juneau should be ashamed of anti-Semitic ad
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I like Mike, but I’m not endorsing him for governor

I like Mike Dunleavy. I’ve considered him a friend. But Dunleavy for Alaska is running an ad that makes it seem I’m supporting him. I… Continue reading

Former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, right, directs a question at former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon debate at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A crane stands by for module and facility installation on the ConocoPhillips GMT-1 drilling pad. First oil from the project flowed on Oct. 5, and royalty revenue from the project could mean hundreds of millions in new funding for affected North Slope communities. (Courtesy Photo | Judy Patrick, ConocoPhillips)
A crane stands by for module and facility installation on the ConocoPhillips GMT-1 drilling pad. First oil from the project flowed on Oct. 5, and royalty revenue from the project could mean hundreds of millions in new funding for affected North Slope communities. (Courtesy Photo | Judy Patrick, ConocoPhillips)
Opinion: Stand for Extinction

Opinion: Stand for Extinction

Salmon were once abundant all over the world. Rivers and streams from Spain to Scandinavia were filled with them, as were Japan and Russia. North… Continue reading

Opinion: Stand for Extinction
Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Walker makes second legislative endorsement

Walker’s first endorsement was of another independent candidate.

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)
Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability

Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability

Gubernatorial hopeful Mark Begich has strived to paint his candidacy and his priorities as the solution to revive our state economy. But many of his… Continue reading

Opinion: Begich’s positions belie believability
Don Etheridge, running as an independent for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Etheridge for Senate race

I would like to express my support for Don Etheridge for the District Q Senate Seat. Etheridge came from a hard-working blue collar family and… Continue reading

Don Etheridge, running as an independent for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Kiehl is the real deal on education

It’s easy to say, “I support education.” Every politician in this hemisphere shouts it from the rooftops — and most of the time, all they… Continue reading

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Opinion: What are we standing for?

Opinion: What are we standing for?

Can a person stand for Alaska and also stand for salmon? On Nov. 6, we have the opportunity to vote on Ballot Measure 1, also… Continue reading

Opinion: What are we standing for?
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Analysis: How Ballot Measure 1 could affect everyday activities

This is the first of three articles the Empire looking at Ballot Measure 1’s legal language.

A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Empire file. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A sign supporting the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative lies on the grass near the intersection of Bridge Access Road and Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Erin Thompson | Peninsula Clarion File)

Ballot Measure 1 spending tops state-level record

The electoral fight over Ballot Measure 1 is the most expensive state-level campaign in Alaska history, according to new filings from the Alaska Public Offices… Continue reading

A sign supporting the Stand for Salmon ballot initiative lies on the grass near the intersection of Bridge Access Road and Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Erin Thompson | Peninsula Clarion File)
U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)

In debate, Rep. Young likens migrant caravan to invasion

Immigration was one of the hot-button issues in Friday night’s debate with independent Alyse Galvin.

U.S. Rep. Don Young, left, and Alyse Galvin are shown prior to a debate Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Galvin, an independent who won the Alaska Democratic primary, is challenging Young, a Republican who is the longest serving member of the House. (Mark Thiessen | Associated Press)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

New poll finds Begich, Dunleavy tied for support

The governor race between Mike Dunleavy and Mark Begich is tighter than ever. A new tracking poll from Alaska Survey Research shows the two leading… Continue reading

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Bill Walker meets with House District 33 independent candidate Chris Dimond and his supporters at the IBEW union hall to give his endorsement to Dimond on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor endorses Dimond for House seat

Gov. Bill Walker is out of his race for re-election, but he is jumping into others.

Gov. Bill Walker meets with House District 33 independent candidate Chris Dimond and his supporters at the IBEW union hall to give his endorsement to Dimond on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy will do what’s right for Alaska

Mike Dunleavy is hard-working, honest, intelligent, trustworthy and the man we need as governor of Alaska. I met Dunleavy at a friend’s house in Kotzebue… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, questions Dr. Susan McCauley, Interim Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during a Senate Education Committee on SB 191 at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s salmon seine fleet fills Amalga Harbor in July 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire file)
Juneau’s salmon seine fleet fills Amalga Harbor in July 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire file)