Elections

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker stands in the Peninsula Clarion office on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We need to invest in ourselves’

Walker highlights infrastructure opportunities, centrist status in campaign visit to peninsula

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker stands in the Peninsula Clarion office on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska.

From gardener to government: Jeff Lowenfels seeks House seat

Former lawyer and avid garden writer says he knows Alaska like no other

Courtesy photo / Jeff Lowenfels Jeff Lowenfels, a former state Attorney General and avid garden writer is running for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He’s in a race with 48 other candidates but he says he has the unique experience that can serve all Alaska.
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Republican Party endorses Pierce/Grunwald ticket

The party has also endorsed incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

‘No drama’ Brelsford running for Congress

Former Republican running as an undeclared candidate touts civic experience

Gregg Brelsford, an independent candidate for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, poses for a photo on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
(From left) Mike Frost, Monica Frost, Tara Sweeney and Sue Carter attend a campaign meet and greet at Addie Camp on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Sweeney is running to fill the seat of former U.S. House Rep. Don Young, who died in March. (Photo courtesy Karina Waller)

Sweeney brings Congressional campaign to the central peninsula

She is one of 48 candidates vying for Alaska’s vacant U.S. House seat

(From left) Mike Frost, Monica Frost, Tara Sweeney and Sue Carter attend a campaign meet and greet at Addie Camp on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Sweeney is running to fill the seat of former U.S. House Rep. Don Young, who died in March. (Photo courtesy Karina Waller)
Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents information about Alaska’s news election systems during a joint chamber of commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Info on new election systems presented at joint chamber luncheon

Summer emerged as the clear favorite season in a mock ranked choice election held at Wednesday’s joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce luncheon in… Continue reading

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents information about Alaska’s news election systems during a joint chamber of commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Coalition to oppose constitutional convention grows

Group emphasizes bipartisan opposition to convention

This photo shows a stack of pocket constitutions at the Alaska State Capitol. A broad coalition has formed in opposition to a potential State Constitution Convention. Alaskans are asked every 10 years on ballots whether a convention should be held. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Lawsuit challenges Alaska campaign disclosure rules

The disclosure rules were part of a ballot measure that overhauled Alaska’s elections system

A would-be voter considers the candidates on a sample ballot released by the state of Alaska in March 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board member Debbie Cary speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Cary also served on the borough’s reapportionment board. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly, board of ed could get new seats

Final reapportionment plans are subject to approval by borough voters

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board member Debbie Cary speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Cary also served on the borough’s reapportionment board. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna resident Karyn Griffin, seen here, has joined the list of candidates vying for Alaska’s newly vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat was formerly held by Rep. Don Young, who died March 18, 2022, after nearly 50 years in office. (Photo courtesy Karyn Griffin)

Soldotna resident joins bid for US House seat

Karyn Griffin said she is mostly running to raise awareness about different issues

Soldotna resident Karyn Griffin, seen here, has joined the list of candidates vying for Alaska’s newly vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat was formerly held by Rep. Don Young, who died March 18, 2022, after nearly 50 years in office. (Photo courtesy Karyn Griffin)
Teressa Minnich, left, speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Division of Elections: Now is the time to verify voter registration information

People must be registered to vote by May 12 to vote in the special primary election

Teressa Minnich, left, speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a borough work session on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman announces bid for state Senate

Tuckerman Babcock and incumbent Sen. Peter Micciche have also filed to run for the seat

Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a borough work session on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Katherine Hayes waves a flag and a sign urging Alaska lawmakers to fund a full oil wealth fund check, known locally as the PFD or Permanent Fund Dividend, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Momentum is building for a constitutional convention question that will be on the ballot this year in Alaska, and similar questions will go before voters in Missouri and New Hampshire. Critics say the times are too partisan and the country is too divided to reopen state constitutions for rewriting or amendments. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

State constitutional convention measures stoke partisan fear

PFD question is providing a tail wind for groups seeking to change the constitution to address a range of hot button topics

Katherine Hayes waves a flag and a sign urging Alaska lawmakers to fund a full oil wealth fund check, known locally as the PFD or Permanent Fund Dividend, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Wasilla, Alaska. Momentum is building for a constitutional convention question that will be on the ballot this year in Alaska, and similar questions will go before voters in Missouri and New Hampshire. Critics say the times are too partisan and the country is too divided to reopen state constitutions for rewriting or amendments. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)

State details timeline to fill vacant US House seat

The state plans to hold the special general election on Aug. 16, concurrently with the regular Alaska primary

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)
Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state’s new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)

Alaska Supreme Court takes up redistricting case

A decision is expected by April 1.

Attorney for the State of Alaska Matthew Singer defends the Alaska Redistricting Board to the Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Court will return a decision on the state’s new electoral districts by April 1. (Screenshot)
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce would seek to reduce spending, boost education as governor

The borough mayor sat down with the Clarion at his Sterling home to discuss his gubernatorial platform

Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock enters state Senate race

Babcock will challenge incumbent Peter Micciche for the seat containing Kenai and Soldotna

Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.

1st arguments heard in Redistricting Board lawsuits

Arguments resume Monday.

Screenshot / Alaska Redistricting Board The Alaska Redistricting Board’s decision to pair District 21 (teal) and District 22 (purple) into one senate district is the subject of a lawsuit from East Anchorage residents of District 21. An Anchorage Superior Court heard the first arguments in that case on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, part of several lawsuits against the Redistricting Board that have been consolidated into a single case.
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)

Governor proposes sweeping changes to election system

Dunleavy plans to put the “election integrity” bill before the Alaska Legislature next session.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)