Election 2022

Gary Anderson fills out an early voting ballot on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Kenai City Hall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Thousands of borough voters have already voted in Nov. 8 election

Federal and state races and constitutional convention question are all on the ballot

Gary Anderson fills out an early voting ballot on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Kenai City Hall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)

Gubernatorial candidates take widely varying stances in AFN forum

Four contenders at AFN debate see different fixes for public safety, prison deaths and housing

This combination image consisting of screenshots from the AFN convention livestream shows the four gubernatorial candidates who will appear on statewide ballots, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Democratic former state Rep. Les Gara, Republican former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and independent former Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshots)
AP Photo / Mark Thiessen The four candidates for Alaska governor are shown preparing for a televised debate Wednesday, in Anchorage, ahead of the 2022 general election. From left are Republican Charlie Pierce; Democrat Les Gara; former Gov. Bill Walker, an independent; and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican.

Dunleavy defends record in debate with Gara, Walker, Pierce

Dunleavy argued the state is “better off today than it was four years ago”

AP Photo / Mark Thiessen The four candidates for Alaska governor are shown preparing for a televised debate Wednesday, in Anchorage, ahead of the 2022 general election. From left are Republican Charlie Pierce; Democrat Les Gara; former Gov. Bill Walker, an independent; and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican.
Alaskan Republican candidates pose for a group photo at a “Get Out the Vote” rally at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. From left: Alaska Senate candidate Heath Smith; gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce; U.S. House candidate Nick Begich III; U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka; Alaska House Reps. Sarah Vance and Ron Gillham; and Alaska Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Republican political candidates rally in Soldotna

Tuesday’s lineup included Kelly Tshibaka, Nick Begich III, Charlie Pierce, Tuckerman Babcock, Heath Smith, Sarah Vance, Ron Gillham and Ben Carpenter

Alaskan Republican candidates pose for a group photo at a “Get Out the Vote” rally at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. From left: Alaska Senate candidate Heath Smith; gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce; U.S. House candidate Nick Begich III; U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka; Alaska House Reps. Sarah Vance and Ron Gillham; and Alaska Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Senate candidates talk fiscal stability, energy security at Monday forum

The forum was the seventh of nine forums being hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM

From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock leads local candidates in fundraising for state office, reports show

Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek are running to represent Kenai and Soldotna in Alaska State Senate District D

2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.

Peltola seeks full House term in a political storm

The Alaska Native Democrat, facing likely GOP majority, says she’s ready to follow Young’s path to success

AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.
Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election night results on track for certification

Inclusion of absentee and questioned ballots have not changed the outcome of boroughwide races

Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again: “I threw myself on the permanent fund grenade.”

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.
From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Pierce stakes out positions in Homer debate

Pierce’s appearance was the second forum he has participated since announcing his bid for governor

From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)
An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Deadline to register to vote for Nov. 8 election is Sunday

Voters will elect a governor, state lawmakers and U.S. House and Senate candidates

An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Walker, Gara get into a bar debate

Candidates for governor talk about serving, shortages and ships during industry forum in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Unofficial results: school bond, field house OK’d

Incumbents also came out ahead in preliminary results

Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Spencer McLean and his daughter, Emma McLean, show their support for Proposition 3, through which a new CES Station 1 would be constructed in Soldotna, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Blustery weather, average turnout mark municipal election day

Up for consideration this year were city council, board of education and assembly seats, as well as a handful of propositions affecting borough schools, emergency services and legislative representation

Spencer McLean and his daughter, Emma McLean, show their support for Proposition 3, through which a new CES Station 1 would be constructed in Soldotna, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Bob Bird, left, chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party, and former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman make the case in favor of a state constitutional convention during a debate in Anchorage broadcast Thursday by Alaska Public Media. (Screenshot from Alaska Public Media’s YouTube channel)

Constitutional convention debate gets heated

Abortion, PFD factor into forum.

Bob Bird, left, chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party, and former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman make the case in favor of a state constitutional convention during a debate in Anchorage broadcast Thursday by Alaska Public Media. (Screenshot from Alaska Public Media’s YouTube channel)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara

What’s on the ballot: Reapportionment, new field house, school bond

Voters will decide on ballot measures that address schools, public safety and legislative bodies

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara
Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)

Poll: Peltola’s a popular pol

Food for vets bill passes House, pollster says she is “the most popular figure in Alaska right now.”

Rep. Mary Peltola, an Alaska Democrat, delivers a speech on the U.S. House floor before Thursday’s vote approving her first bill, establishing an Office of Food Security in the Department of Veterans Affairs. It passed the House by a 376-49 vote, although its fate in the Senate is undetermined. (Screenshot from official U.S. House video)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska judge keeps Oath Keepers lawmaker on November ballot

Judge Jack McKenna on Thursday ordered elections officials to delay certifying the result of that particular race

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor. (Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission)

Dunleavy faces more accusations in campaign complaint

Governor calls it “specious and unfounded.”

An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor. (Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission)