Election 2018

Mark Begich refuses to withdraw, confirming three-way race for Alaska governor
Mark Begich refuses to withdraw, confirming three-way race for Alaska governor
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)

Governor candidates meet in Juneau debate

Alaska’s three leading candidates for governor met on stage Thursday for the first time since the three-way race became official.

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)
Recount coming in Kenai state House race

Recount coming in Kenai state House race

A tightly contested Republican primary race for a Kenai Peninsula state House seat is headed to a state-paid recount. On Tuesday morning, Alaska Division of… Continue reading

Recount coming in Kenai state House race
Election Roundup: Dunleavy to campaign this week in Juneau

Election Roundup: Dunleavy to campaign this week in Juneau

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy will host a town hall discussion on crime and public safety from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday night at the Mendenhall Public… Continue reading

Election Roundup: Dunleavy to campaign this week in Juneau
Juneau Democrats divided over Begich campaign

Juneau Democrats divided over Begich campaign

Juneau is normally a Democratic stronghold, but when it comes to this year’s race for governor, it is a town divided. With days remaining until… Continue reading

Juneau Democrats divided over Begich campaign
Alaska State Employees Association Business Manager Jim Duncan leads union members in a chant during a rally at the State Office Building in 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Election roundup: Third major labor union backs Walker re-election

The Alaska State Employees Association has become the third major labor union to endorse the re-election of Gov. Bill Walker. In a statement issued Wednesday,… Continue reading

Alaska State Employees Association Business Manager Jim Duncan leads union members in a chant during a rally at the State Office Building in 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
At Dunleavy town hall, Juneau residents share stories of crime

At Dunleavy town hall, Juneau residents share stories of crime

There were stories about stolen cars, stolen property, assault and death. In a town-hall meeting Wednesday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library, Republican gubernatorial… Continue reading

At Dunleavy town hall, Juneau residents share stories of crime
From left to right, Mike Dunleavy, Bill Walker and Mark Begich are the three principal candidates for Alaska governor in 2018. (Michael Penn photos | Juneau Empire composite)

Juneau Chamber of Commerce hosts gubernatorial forum at noon Thursday

At noon today, incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker will appear alongside Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Mike Dunleavy at a forum hosted in Centennial Hall… Continue reading

From left to right, Mike Dunleavy, Bill Walker and Mark Begich are the three principal candidates for Alaska governor in 2018. (Michael Penn photos | Juneau Empire composite)
Fish fight fills forum

Fish fight fills forum

The question in November is about Ballot Measure 1, but the question in the room was something different: Who’s more Alaskan? In front of a… Continue reading

Fish fight fills forum
Opinion: Drop out, Begich

Opinion: Drop out, Begich

Yes, our generally Democratic-voting family is divided over the issue of Mark Begich’s presence in the race. I keep hearing Begich is a numbers guy,… Continue reading

Opinion: Drop out, Begich
Opinion: Please vote ‘yes’ on Ballot Measure 1

Opinion: Please vote ‘yes’ on Ballot Measure 1

This year’s Stand for Salmon initiative, Ballot Measure 1, is a long-overdue measure that will help restore balance between development of Alaska’s natural resources and… Continue reading

Opinion: Please vote ‘yes’ on Ballot Measure 1
Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New vote tallies aid challenged Alaska legislative incumbents

Incumbent Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux has taken a significant lead in a Republican primary race marred by possible voter fraud. On Tuesday, the Alaska Division of… Continue reading

Laraine Derr, of the Regional Accu-Vote Board, center, waits for her machine to print out a tally as she, David Clover, left, and Mary Foster count questioned and absentee ballots at the State of Alaska election office at the Mendenhall Mall on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage

The Alaska Division of Elections is investigating why seven dead people requested absentee ballots for the close-fought primary election in Anchorage’s House District 15. The… Continue reading

Dead Alaskans attempt to vote in Anchorage
Opinion: Making primary elections more than a tribal contest

Opinion: Making primary elections more than a tribal contest

What we don’t know is why so many Alaskans didn’t care enough to vote.

Opinion: Making primary elections more than a tribal contest
Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Signs of trouble: ACLU and pro-Dunleavy campaign launch lawsuit against state

They’re the signs of the times, and they’re causing problems. On Thursday, the Alaska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union joined the group Dunleavy… Continue reading

Mike Dunleavy for governor and Jerry Nankervis for state house election signs are seen on Egan Drive at 17 Mile on Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. Alaska statute states signs on private or commercial property cannot be located within 660 feet of a state-maintained road or “with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles

On Tuesday, workers at the Alaska Division of Elections will begin counting absentee and question ballots from across the state. Those votes may tilt the… Continue reading

Analysis: Primary results indicate willingness to re-fight old battles
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (File photo)

Rep. Don Young leads in campaign cash

Newly released reports from the Federal Election Commission show big financial support for incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, ahead of the Aug. 21 statewide primary election.

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (File photo)
Jerry Nankervis, Republican candidate for House District 34, puts on his “I Voted” sticker after casting his ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 in Alaska’s statewide primary election. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Voter turnout up from 2016, but still third-lowest

Alaskans came to the polls in earnest on Election Day, and according to figures from the Alaska Division of Elections, turnout has already beaten 2016… Continue reading

Jerry Nankervis, Republican candidate for House District 34, puts on his “I Voted” sticker after casting his ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018 in Alaska’s statewide primary election. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Retired preschool teacher Katy Harman, left, is the first person to vote Tuesday morning, Aug. 21, 2018 at the Douglas Public Library during the 2018 Alaska Primary Election. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

The Latest: Alaska Primary Election 2018 live blog

News and results from the primary election in Juneau.

Retired preschool teacher Katy Harman, left, is the first person to vote Tuesday morning, Aug. 21, 2018 at the Douglas Public Library during the 2018 Alaska Primary Election. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
House District 34 candidates Andi Story, left, and Rob Edwardson, center, wave campaign signs with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at Egan Drive and Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Story, Hannan win Democratic nominations for Juneau House seats

The Democratic Party’s “Year of the Woman” arrived in Juneau on Tuesday. According to preliminary tallies by the Alaska Division of Elections, Sara Hannan has… Continue reading

House District 34 candidates Andi Story, left, and Rob Edwardson, center, wave campaign signs with Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, at Egan Drive and Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)