Election 2022

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Presentation details cons of constitutional convention

Yes-vote rallies seek end to PFD “political football” as Southeast leaders warn of regional harm

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Voices of the Peninsula: This is our borough and city

By Therese Lewandowski Another election already? Yes! This is our local elections — borough and city. It’s not as popular and you may think it… Continue reading

A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Rep. Mary Peltola is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola nets huge financial catch

Filings show $1.5M raised for most recent period , Palin $250K, Begich $118K

Rep. Mary Peltola is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday's candidate forum for Alaska's U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)

U.S. House candidates positive — to a point

Republicans Nick Begich III and Sarah Palin participate in a candidate forum focusing on Southeast Alaska

Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday's candidate forum for Alaska's U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)
Pollworkers Carol Louthan, center, and Harmony Bolden work at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Absentee in-person voting starts Monday for Oct. 4 election

The Soldotna Prep School building has ballot styles for all Kenai Peninsula Borough precincts

Pollworkers Carol Louthan, center, and Harmony Bolden work at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This combination photo shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions Wednesday during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting in Ketchikan. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Walker, Gara largely agree on Southeast issues — and governor’s absence

Dunleavy again absent at candidate forum as two other contenders talk ferries, fish and finances

This combination photo shows gubernatorial candidates Les Gara and Bill Walker. Gara, a former Democratic state lawmaker, and Walker, former independent governor of Alaska, took questions Wednesday during a forum held as part of the annual Southeast Conference meeting in Ketchikan. Both candidates noted the absence of incumbent Gov, Mike Dunleavy, who has been a no-show at several recent forums. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska lieutenant governor candidates Jessica Cook (left) and Edie Grunwald (right) participate in a forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commberce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Grunwald, Cook split on state issues at Wednesday forum

Lieutenant governor candidates Heidi Drygas and Nancy Dahlstrom did not attend Wednesday’s forum

Alaska lieutenant governor candidates Jessica Cook (left) and Edie Grunwald (right) participate in a forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commberce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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US Senate hopefuls cast net for Southeast votes

Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro apply their broad themes to specific issues at Southeast Conference

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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)

Judge: Elections officials must enforce disloyalty clause

The case that could decide Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman’s future remains on schedule for arguments later this month

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)
Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Alaska US Senate hopeful drops bid, backs fellow Republican

Buzz Kelley said his motivation for suspending the campaign came after Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich lost to Democrat Mary Peltola

Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara, Walker face off at chamber forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A campaign sign promoting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign stands in Juneau. Two nonprofits on Tuesday filed a complaint with Alaska Public Offices Commission against Dunleavy and others connected to his campaign. The complaint alleges a series of “egregious campaign finance violations.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Photo)

Complaint: Dunleavy illegally using state employees for campaign

Nonprofits with ties to governor’s political opposition allege coordination of donors, staff misuse

A campaign sign promoting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign stands in Juneau. Two nonprofits on Tuesday filed a complaint with Alaska Public Offices Commission against Dunleavy and others connected to his campaign. The complaint alleges a series of “egregious campaign finance violations.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Photo)
The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)

5 takeaway lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election

In November, Alaskans will use ranked choice voting on legislative and statewide races

The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.

Alaska primary certified; local results are unchanged

Results were made official on Sept. 2

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.
Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.

Peltola to be sworn in Sept. 13

Special U.S. House race certified; Palin, Begich repeat demands the other drop out of November election

Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.
From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2nd Clarion/KDLL forum is Tuesday

The forum will spotlight candidates running for seats on the Soldotna City Council

From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Eastman stays on ballot for now

Anchorage judge declines to determine eligibility before printing

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)
Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the U.S. after results are announced for the special election in which she won the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester/AP)

Peltola steps into national spotlight

Special election victor gets call from Biden, readies for encore that may decide control of Congress

Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the U.S. after results are announced for the special election in which she won the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester/AP)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai and spokesperson Tiffany Montemayor, left, explain the first-ever tabulation of ranked choice votes as elections programming manager Brian Jackson enters updated results during a livestream Wednesday afternoon. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican Sara Palin by willing by nearly 9% on first-choice ballots, then received enough second-choice votes from third candidate Nick Begich III to prevail by an official total of about 3%. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola makes history

With ranked choice victory, Democrat set to become first Alaska Native elected to Congress

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai and spokesperson Tiffany Montemayor, left, explain the first-ever tabulation of ranked choice votes as elections programming manager Brian Jackson enters updated results during a livestream Wednesday afternoon. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican Sara Palin by willing by nearly 9% on first-choice ballots, then received enough second-choice votes from third candidate Nick Begich III to prevail by an official total of about 3%. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election.

Little change in election results as Sweeney drops out

Updated count shows Sarah Palin solidifying chances of ultimately prevailing in U.S. House race

AP Photo / Mark Thiessen Tara Sweeney, a Republican seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sweeney said Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, she plans to end her campaign, saying she does not see a path to victory or to raise the money needed to be successful in the November general election.