Mark Begich

Opinion: Dunleavy’s voting record

Opinion: Dunleavy’s voting record

The governor’s race should be decided on facts, not misleading campaign ads. You deserve the truth. That’s different than what the slick ads paid for… Continue reading

Opinion: Dunleavy’s voting record
Opinion: Walker/Mallott are the only candidates who are honest with the numbers
Opinion: Walker/Mallott are the only candidates who are honest with the numbers
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Polls and financial disclosure forms show Dunleavy with a significant lead in the four-way governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy leads Alaska’s four-way governor race

Republican Mike Dunleavy has a significant lead in financial and popular support with less than one month remaining in Alaska’s four-way governor race, according to… Continue reading

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. Polls and financial disclosure forms show Dunleavy with a significant lead in the four-way governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality

Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality

Having been in IT for over two decades, I have seen the birth and explosion of the internet. I have run my own website from… Continue reading

Opinion: Begich only gubernatorial candidate to support net neutrality
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We need a governor who will stick to his word on reproductive rights

Whom we choose for governor is more important than ever.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Governor candidates critical as Dunleavy misses forum

Tuesday’s gubernatorial forum was almost more about who wasn’t there than it was about who was there.

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left, and Gov. Bill Walker pass Mike Dunleavy’s name plate during a Special Native Issues Forum for governor candidates at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Libertarian candidate Billy Toien, out of picture to the left, requested the name plate. Dunleavy did not attend the forum. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Walker opposes Kavanaugh confirmation

Walker opposes Kavanaugh confirmation

Gov. Bill Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott issued a joint statement Thursday declaring their opposition to the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S.… Continue reading

Walker opposes Kavanaugh confirmation
From left to right, Republican Mike Dunleavy, independent Bill Walker and Democrat Mark Begich are seen in a composite file image. The three men appeared in a Ketchikan forum hosted by Southeast Conference on Wednesday afternoon. (Juneau Empire composite image)

Walker, Dunleavy and Begich offer budget ideas in Ketchikan

Alaska’s leading governor candidates continued to compete for the attention of voters on Wednesday in Ketchikan.

From left to right, Republican Mike Dunleavy, independent Bill Walker and Democrat Mark Begich are seen in a composite file image. The three men appeared in a Ketchikan forum hosted by Southeast Conference on Wednesday afternoon. (Juneau Empire composite image)
Galvin, Young set debate schedule for Alaska’s U.S. House seat

Galvin, Young set debate schedule for Alaska’s U.S. House seat

Republican incumbent Don Young has set his debate schedule with independent challenger Alyse Galvin. According to information released Monday by Young’s campaign, he will appear… Continue reading

Galvin, Young set debate schedule for Alaska’s U.S. House seat
Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs

Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs

I have known Mark Begich since he was 19 years old. Then, he was chair of the Anchorage Youth Commission, and I was mayor. His… Continue reading

Opinion: Mark Begich is the governor Alaska needs
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: The Democrat strategy to divide and be conquered

“The new rule in American politics is divide and conquer,” longtime political analyst Bill Schneider wrote at the dawn of the 2106 presidential campaign. “At… 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)
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)
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)
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)
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
Gov. Bill Walker, February 2018 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Actions and words split the candidates for governor

With the current political climate, I expected the divisive rhetoric of this election season. I did not expect the battle lines to be drawn so… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker, February 2018 (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Begich is my choice for governor

We need a governor who is foursquare in support of a woman’s right to choose.

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEW Local 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Sept. 29, 2014 photo, candidate for governor Bill Walker speaks as Gov. Sean Parnell listens during their debate in front of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at Suite 907. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Why I’m voting for Bill Walker

Walker has proven over and over again that when the going gets tough — Alaska-tough — Bill gets going.

In this Sept. 29, 2014 photo, candidate for governor Bill Walker speaks as Gov. Sean Parnell listens during their debate in front of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at Suite 907. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)