Elections

Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

What to watch: Cheney in trouble; Palin eyes comeback

Sarah Palin jumped on a vacancy in the state’s congressional delegation as a potential springboard back into elected office

Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Campaign signs decorate the outside of Paradisos Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Campaign signs decorate the outside of Paradisos Restaurant on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local candidates report support from state PACs

Labor unions and the National Education Association are among the groups putting money into Kenai Peninsula state election races

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer addresses election information and misinformation during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. (Screenshot)

With a week to go, officials work to clear up election confusion

Officials provided updated ballot statistics, fielded questions from reporters and clarified misconceptions about the current election cycle

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer addresses election information and misinformation during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. (Screenshot)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen outside of the City of Kenai Building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska.

City council, assembly and board of education filing period opens

The period will close on Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m. for all offices

A “Vote Here” sign is seen outside of the City of Kenai Building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska.
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, leads an informational town hall about ranked choice voting inside the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, leads an informational town hall about ranked choice voting inside the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Begich and Mary Peltola answer questions at a candidate forum at the Kenai Visitor Center on Aug. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/Jake Dye)

Peltola, Begich trade views at chamber forum

The two candidates are vying to fill former Rep. Don Young’s seat

Nick Begich and Mary Peltola answer questions at a candidate forum at the Kenai Visitor Center on Aug. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/Jake Dye)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy brings reelection bid to Kenai Peninsula

He emerged as the top fundraiser in the race, per new campaign finance data filed this week

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local candidates report campaign cash as election approaches

New data filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission reflects money raised by candidates between Feb. 2 and July 15

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)

Reminder: Voter registration deadline is July 17

Alaskans will cast ballots in the state’s special general election and the regular primary election

A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)
Donald Trump addresses attendees at a Save America rally on Saturday, July 9, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Trump in Anchorage

Former U.S. president speaks to a crowd of 5,000, endorses Tshibaka, Palin

Donald Trump addresses attendees at a Save America rally on Saturday, July 9, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jessica Cook, left, and Les Gara are photographed in The Peninsula Clarion’s offices Thursday in Kenai. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara, Cook campaign on the Kenai Peninsula

The pair cited education funding, reproductive rights and election security as priorities

Jessica Cook, left, and Les Gara are photographed in The Peninsula Clarion’s offices Thursday in Kenai. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Palin stays on top; Gross drops out

The state released final results for the special primary election Tuesday

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

AP calls 4th primary spot for Peltola; Palin still leads

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican Nick Begich and Al Gross fill the other three spots

Mary Peltola, a Democrat seeking the sole U.S. House seat in Alaska, speaks during a forum for candidates, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.Voters are whittling down the list of 48 candidates running for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, with the top four vote-getters in a special primary on Saturday, June 11, advancing to an August special election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Former Alaska Governor and current Congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

AP: Palin, Begich and Gross to head to special election

The candidate order has not changed since Saturday, though Palin’s share of votes dropped slightly

Former Alaska Governor and current Congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A roll of “I voted” stickers await voters on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Hundreds of peninsula special primary ballots rejected

The peninsula’s roughly 2% rejection rate is on par with other regions in the state

A roll of “I voted” stickers await voters on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska Gov. and current congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2022 Special Primary Election live updates: Palin takes early lead

As of 10 p.m., Sarah Palin, Nick Begich, Al Gross and Mary Peltola were in the top 4

Former Alaska Gov. and current congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet and greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, stands in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche will not seek reelection

His announcement comes a week after the end of the 32nd Alaska Legislature

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, stands in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Former Alaska governor and current congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet-and-greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Palin brings congressional bid to Soldotna

The former governor took time Saturday to sign autographs and take pictures with attendees

Former Alaska governor and current congressional hopeful Sarah Palin speaks with attendees at a meet-and-greet event outside of Ginger’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska gubernatorial candidate Les Gara campaigns on Friday, May 6, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Nate Graham, courtesy of Les Gara)

Gara brings gubernatorial bid to peninsula

The former state lawmaker announced last summer that he would be challenging incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidate Les Gara campaigns on Friday, May 6, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Nate Graham, courtesy of Les Gara)