Begich and Parnell Concede
Mark Begich has officially called to congratulate Dan Sullivan on winning the senate race. I’m thinking maybe a constitutional challenge is in order now that Ohio has three senators. Alaskans didn’t used to fall for the carpetbagger who moved here just for a senate seat. But the times they are a-changing.
The following statement was released by Begich, after calling Sullivan today.
“Alaska is a place unmatched by any other, and the opportunity to represent Alaskans and all of Alaska’s communities in the U.S. Senate has been a tremendous honor for which I am eternally grateful. Alaska deserves a bright future with expanded economic opportunity, equality for all Alaskans under the law, and a strong and prosperous rural Alaska. As a born and raised Alaskan, I will always be involved in my community, and the results of an election have never diminished my desire or passion to achieve these goals.
“I’m proud of the work my team and I accomplished to open the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to development, to move forward Arctic oil exploration, and to protect Alaska’s postal service. Saving the F-16’s in Fairbanks, protecting missile defense at Fort Greely, and securing two new squadrons of F-35’s for Eielson Air Force Base will spur the largest economic investment in Interior Alaska since the construction of TAPS.
“I consider one of my most significant accomplishments to be the new national model of caring for our veterans, allowing the men and women who served our nation to receive health care at local health clinics and hospitals without traveling to VA facilities. This accomplishment proves that Alaska is a place of unbelievable possibilities and that we never shy away from a challenge.
“During this campaign, I put my record of delivering for Alaska front and center, and it’s why this election was one of the closest races in the country despite over ten million dollars of attacks from Outside groups and their partisan narrative. These accomplishments are not red or blue results, they’re Alaska results, and the final margin of this election and the clear support I received from independent voters affirms that.
“When I spoke with Dan Sullivan today, I encouraged him to adopt a bipartisan resolve in the Senate. Alaska is ill-served by the partisan fights that don’t reflect our state’s unique needs and priorities.
“My entire family is grateful to every Alaskan who supported my campaign, from stories of my father campaigning in rural Alaska to a donation of a single dollar in Bristol Bay. Everyone who supported my campaign can proudly say we ran a campaign built and powered by Alaskans, not Outside interests. Over 10,000 Alaskans donated to and volunteered for this campaign because we charted a clear course and positive vision for Alaska instead of following a partisan script crafted by Outside power brokers and billionaires who want to buy power in Washington.
“Rural Alaska made its voice heard loud and clear in the election, and I am overwhelmed by the record levels of support I received from villages and hubs across the state. It has been an honor to travel Alaska to meet with Alaskans in their homes, tribal halls and businesses to hear their needs and concerns. Being born and raised in Anchorage, I’m also proud to have won ten of Anchorage’s sixteen legislative districts, a testament to my past and present service to my community.”
Rumors are already flying that Begich may consider a 2016 run against incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, or Don Young, the hydra of Congress who just comes back no matter what. Interestingly, the last time Don Young lost an election it was to Nick Begich, Mark Begich’s father.
In happier news, Governor Sean Parnell has also conceded to Independent Bill Walker. And we’ve not only gotten rid of Parnell for now, but we can use the “killing two birds with one stone” metaphor whilst we just sit for a moment and enjoy the joint demise of Dan Sullivan. Not “Ohio Dan” Sullivan, the Mayor of Anchorage Dan “Where’s Your Hand” Sullivan. Byron Mallott will now have the Lite Gov seat, and will be in charge of the Division of Elections instead of Sullivan who presided over the most epic Municipal election fail in the history of ever.
Excuse me if I am repeating myself. But, it is going to be so great not to see Parnell’s ” obnoxious smerky face ” when the govenor of Alaska is mentioned.
The bright side-wingnuts will try everything they can come up with to screw ‘murrica over the next two years and will be so bad the voting public will have to notice. The question is-will it change anybody’s vote in 2016? If voters passed the Dems message,why shoot the messenger?
Mike, Obama just checkmated the wing-nuts tonight with the immigration speech. They can’t use the issue as leverage to get other things now. And they are going nuts about it.
They’re already nuts! 🙂 🙂
Damned sorry to see Ohio Dan take this race but wasn’t real happy that one of Senator Begich’s last votes was in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline.
http://blog.chron.com/goplifer/2014/11/the-missing-story-of-the-2014-election/
This can help salve the wounds of disappointment.
mfi- Thank you for the link. Reading this did “help salve the wounds of
disappointment”. And I do think some -most republicans are
paranoid about what will be of the 2016 election.
I’m sorry to see Begich go…he wasn’t as progressive as I would have liked, but he definitely was an Alaskan senator who thought about and acted for his constituents. I think I’m going to write a letter to our new senator, reminding him that more Alaskans voted against him than for him–he’s not what the majority wanted.
Thanks for the blog, Mudflats.
Thank you for your service Senator Begich!
Amongst your many good- for Alaska works, I rank this one right up top
http://www.alaskajournal.com/Alaska-Journal-of-Commerce/Breaking-News-2013/Tribes-still-waiting-for-IHS-contract-support-cost-settlements/
I am a very far left libertarian who knows damn well folks like me are very few and far between . I cringed over some of your policy choices and decisions but I think you were right for our state. Too bad so many of my neighbors have the whole obamathesocialistantichrist dealie going that they voted for the carpetbagger to spit on the Pres.
Next time- ? Get rid of M U R K O W S K I
Best wishes governor elect Walker- I’ll be watching and paying attention to whether y’all are doing what you said you would be doing. And -I rilly, rilly, rilly hope the rumors of a whole new COS on board are true cuz MN has had too much effect for too long on the gov’s office.
Also too- anyone know if the gov office’s spokesmouth position is an appointed one ? Cuz I would rilly, rilly, rilly would like to see a certain SL go away…
Age..teaches us tricks-of-the-trade. Let us enjoy..the ‘newses’..that we like..and keep working upon the ..scaling off the barnicles, old calking..where new patching..is going to , upgrade the vessel of humankind. Place our..hiking rocks in side pockets..to give us extra weights..to..work against. Arm wrist weights? Oh dear god..I am soooo embar. at those things..ROCKS..are our friends! So then..hike, listen..and when..in house..boogy to the Blues stations..big time. Joy/excitement/dark fun/sneaky educational moves-plans..for next year..and the next year after that.. oh Life..is SO good! 😉
J- Thank you for your uplifting words,. What you said means quite alot to
me.
Well, damn. I’m sorry to hear that. I was trying to be optimistic that the late rural votes might squeak him in.
Mark isn’t exactly a member of the Democratic wing of the party, but it would have been nice to still have that seat in the D caucus when 2016 rolls around.
I’m sure Sullivan will be able to draw on his many years of living in Alaska to do a bang-up job.
I’m not impressed. Alaska deserves to be represented by whom they elected. Good luck to you. Good luck to all of us. We are in a fight for our very survival.We had better wake up soon, that is if it is not already too late to wake up;.
I am sure as hell glad I am so old. I have nothing but pity for those who are younger. Pity that they don’t realize their peril.
Fire and ice.
Too bad. I’m so sorry.
Goobernor Torpedo will land on his whatever thanks to a golden parachute purchased from Alaskan citizens to the tune of nearly 2 billion bucks per year returned to Big Awl. I’m guessin’ Big Awl can’t wait to re-hire a souped up ass-kisser with executive ‘sperience.
Begich was hardly a bulwark for Democratic values,but he wasn’t a total wash as Ohio Dan will be.AsTennessee Ernie Ford sang-Saint Peter doncha call me cuz I gotsta crawl to kiss the koch bros ass alongside of Big Awl.