CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
May 26, 2008 – 10:05 p.m.
Alaska Dems Are After Rep. Young’s Seat, but a Republican May Get There First
By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff
Democrats have been salivating over the opportunity to unseat Republican Rep. Don Young as he seeks an 18th full-term as Alaska’s lone House representative, but Republicans may beat them to the punch.
Republican Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell stands a strong chance of defeating Young in the party’s Aug. 26 primary, according to recent polls and analysts, which would provide Democrats with a new opponent for the general election.
Young has drawn wide support over the years for his advocacy for his home state, but critics argue that his connections to a federal investigation into Alaska oil services company Veco Corp and its ties to political figures in the state have made him vulnerable for re-election this year. Opponents also note that the House has called for an investigation into an earmark for a Florida transportation project, which Young is accused of changing to possibly benefit a major supporter. Others believe Young’s well-known rough-hewn manner is diminishing his effectiveness in the House and reflecting badly on the state.
Parnell, a lawyer and former state lawmaker, entered the House race just two months ago, but is backed by popular Republican Gov. Sarah Palin . Recent polls show Parnell besting or nearly breaking even with Young.
“It’s time for a new messenger in Congress in Alaska,” Parnell told CQ Politics.
Parnell is no stranger to challenging old guard Republicans in the state. He appeared on Palin’s winning ticket when she ousted incumbent Republican Gov. Frank H. Murkowski two years ago.
Parnell said there are clear similarities between his current House campaign and the 2006 election, which Murkowski, a longtime politician, entered with low approval ratings.
Parnell is campaigning on issues such as resource development, job creation, the nation’s economy, establishing a natural gas pipeline and fixing high gas prices, in addition to what he calls “restoring trust issues,” all things on which Parnell believes he can be more effective than the congressman.
“Voters appreciate the years he’s given, but we also think it’s time for new leadership,” Parnell said of Young.
That theme is also being championed by the Democratic party.
Democratic state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz has emerged as his party’s frontrunner for the House. When asked about the similar message of “change” that Berkowitz and Parnell share, Berkowitz responded that even though Parnell would be a new face in Congress, he hardly represents a new era in politics.
“Sean has been part of the Republican establishment dating back into the nineties,” Berkowitz told CQ Politics. Berkowitz, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2006, argued that he offers voters an opportunity to have a congressman of the majority party in Congress.
“Alaska’s used a one-party strategy in a two-party congress,” Berkowitz said he often states. “It’s time for a two-party strategy.”
Alaska Dems Are After Rep. Young’s Seat, but a Republican May Get There First
The state typically votes Republican, but candidates in Alaska also must appeal to unaffiliated voters and third-party supporters who currently make up 60 percent of registered voters in Alaska.
CQ Politics rates the race No Clear Favorite.
Berkowitz’ path to the Democratic nomination became clearer this month when former state Democratic chairman Jake Metcalfe dropped out of the race. Metcalfe said that an incident in which Metcalfe’s staffer targeted Berkowitz by routing web users to potentially disparaging websites had created too much distraction for Metcalfe to continue his campaign.
The party’s 2006 nominee, author Diane Benson, is also seeking a rematch with Young, but has trailed Berkowitz in fundraising.
Berkowitz reported to the Federal Election Commission just over $400,000 raised as of March 31, which included $2,500 from a political action committee related to Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel , Democratic Caucus Chair, and $4,000 from the campaign committee for California Rep. Howard L. Berman . Berkowitz also contributed just under $2,000 in personal funds to his own campaign. He was left with $287,000 on hand after expenses.
Benson reported $142,000 raised, $1,000 of which was donated by California Rep. Michael M. Honda ’s campaign committee in November and just under $1,000 came from Benson’s personal finances. She reported $46,000 on hand as of March 31.
Parnell officially entered the race just days before the March 31 filing deadline and reported $26,000 raised in less than one week. State Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, who is also competing for the GOP nomination, reported $214,000 raised through March 31, $94,000 of which was personal funds, and $158,000 on hand.
As expected, incumbent Young, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman and former Resources (now Natural Resources) Committee chairman, has dominated in fundraising, having raised $884,000 through March 31. But the lawmaker has burned through $2 million in expenses thus far. More than $1 million has gone towards legal expenses.
Young and his staff have refused to comment on the federal investigation, citing its ongoing nature, but spokesman Mike Anderson acknowledged in an interview last week with CQ Politics that the investigation does negatively impact Young’s election.
“When you’ve got these kinds of issues that you’re faced with, whether they’re true of false... those are issues that work against you,” Anderson said.
Anderson conceded that the incumbent is “statistically even” with Parnell, but noted the campaign has been prepared for this level of competitiveness.
“The congressman acknowledged this was going to be a tough election. We weren’t fooling ourselves about that,” Anderson said, adding that because the campaign was prepared for a competitive race, they took the election seriously “from the beginning” and organized in advance for a contested election.
“That kind of strategy pays off,” Anderson said.
Comments
Here's an important piece of advice: If it looks like it's going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a "no brainer" for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There's currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows -- even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick -- selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin's own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there's absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now! There's no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real 'change' (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents. In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain's age and health, Palin is more than perfect -- now. (Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
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