In Alaska Race For Governor, Democrats Try An Unusual Tactic: Dropping Out
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell was supposed to be cruising to re-election, but he's now in a serious contest against a non-partisan ticket. Mark Thiessen/AP hide caption
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell was supposed to be cruising to re-election, but he's now in a serious contest against a non-partisan ticket.
This November, for the first time since Alaska became a state, the ballot won't include a Democratic candidate for governor. The Democrats had a candidate, Byron Mallott, but around Labor Day, he dropped out in order to sign up as a running mate for a non-partisan candidate named Bill Walker.
His decision to drop out was part of a negotiated deal between the Democrat and Walker, neither of whom had enough support on his own to beat the incumbent Republican, Sean Parnell.
At an event announcing the new Walker-Mallott "unity ticket," Mallott said that he had "forged a friendship," with Walker over the summer, on the campaign trail. And they realized they had a lot in common.
Still, the merger was potentially disturbing to the Democratic base, given that Walker was a registered Republican and a social conservative. In an ad partly paid for by the AFL-CIO, Mallott seems to be reassuring Democrats that he's sticking to his principles, even as he makes common cause with Walker.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker greets Anchorage middle school students before a candidates forum in April. Walker used to be a registered Republican, but now he says he wants to move past party labels. Dan Joling/AP hide caption
Independent gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker greets Anchorage middle school students before a candidates forum in April. Walker used to be a registered Republican, but now he says he wants to move past party labels.
"I know deep down who I am, as does Bill, in terms of our core philosophies and core values and I'm absolutely comfortable in our ability to work together," Mallott says in the ad.
As part of the deal with the Democrats, Walker changed his voter registration from "Republican" to "undeclared." At a recent candidate debate, he emphasized his desire to get past party labels.
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In Alaska Race For Governor, Democrats Try An Unusual Tactic: Dropping Out