Another Hat in the Ring for Alaska Governor
It’s finally official. Today, Democrat Ethan Berkowitz has tossed his hat in the ring to run for Governor of Alaska in 2010 by submitting his letter of intent with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Berkowitz was unsuccessful in his attempt to knock Alaska’s lone congressman Don Young off his perch in 2008, although polls showed him with a solid lead going in to the election.
Berkowitz leads in name recognition among Alaskans, and has now entered a gubernatorial field including Democratic Senator Hollis French, and Democrat Bob Poe.
“A lot has changed in the fifty years since statehood and yet much remains the same,” said Berkowitz. “We’re still too dependent on the federal government, too reliant on Outside corporations and too beholden to special interests. After fifty years, it’s time to stand on our own feet.”
“I believe in Alaska. Our story is one that’s rooted in survival. Our history is one of uniting to overcome even the greatest of odds. It is a concept woven into the very fabric of our communities. It is time for leadership that embodies these qualities—leadership that calls on Alaskans to put our differences aside in favor of a higher purpose: to put Alaska first.”
Ethan is involved in a variety of businesses across Alaska. Most recently, he has been working with the Kodiak Kenai Cable Company to install a submarine fiber optic cable that will bring high speed broadband to more than 140 rural communities. He has also been promoting renewable energy projects in the lower Yukon Kuskokwim.
Berkowitz served in the State House of Representatives for ten years, from 1996 to 2006, where he was the Minority Leader for eight years.
go ethan go
Ditch the “pecking order” Alaska, and pullleeeeze, purty pullllleeeezee,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GO FOR POE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I heard Halcro was running for Congress
I see the former unlamented Governor still feels entitled to use her former title.
Signed her Facebook entry Governor Sarah Palin. Somebody better give Quittypants the word that she QUIT!!
Thanks Closet Mudpup, I get a bit confused at times.
I’m in the treehouse.
Irishgirl
That was the situation with the Anchorage mayoral election. The difference is that the mayoral election is considered non-partisan, and has no primary election to choose one candidate from each party. No matter how many Dems end up running for Gov, there will be only one left after the primary election, and that one candidate will go on to run against the other party’s primary winnner, or winners, in the event there are more than Repubs and Dems involved.
i’d rather not see more than two Ds in the primary. i feel bad for poe, who announced a year ago. and it could make for some strange dynamics, voting for the one you don’t really want even though she or he isn’t the strongest candidate, in order to keep out the one you really don’t want.
Ethan had his second shot last year at a statewide office. He blew it. He lost to arguably the most corrupt member of Congress.
In two election cycles he’s lost twice statewide: that hat of his in the ring looks like a hat trick to me.
The danger (nay, probability) of him being in the race is that he’ll suck up enough of the limited D campaign money that’s out there to make it impossible for a Democrat to become governor in 2010.
Shame on Ethan for caring more about himself than he does about a Democrat in the Governor’s mansion.
hmmmm. I’m thinking Berk is just more “Alaska business as usual” and I’m really tending towards Halcro. I also like the Jay Ramras option even tho he is Publican (but has much more blue tendencies than do some of the actual Dems)
If I go straight Dem then it would be Bob Poe because he doesn’t seem sullied by the old “politics as usual” and is truly some fresh blood in the Dem corral.
Hard choice in 2010 but I’m going to pay attention and not just toss my vote based on my registered voter affiliation. I voted Knowles in 2006 just because he WASN’T Palin but this race is much more interesting.
Right, I will keep my mouth firmly shut. I obviously picked up the wrong end of the stick.
Ethan will make an outstanding governor. He understands Alaska so well and he is smart. I do worry about splitting up the meager Blue vote in this state. It will be an uphill battle against the likes of Halcrow and Binkley if they declare, as both are moderates by AK R standards.
k, I am wrong on this. I thought I read a post a few months back where this wouldn’t be a good idea.
I agree, Ethan would make a GREAT governor!
Ethan Berkowitz would make a great governor.
Ethan has been one of the most intelligent, able politicians in Alaska of late, and I have always had a lot of respect and admiration for him. That being said, I have to confess: What a hottie! (Sorry. I blush. I am old enough to be his mother.)
Why do I have a sinking feeling? Too many Democrats in the ring?