Alaska: Begich Surprises

​For months, former US Sen. Mark Begich (D) had refused to rule out that he would enter the 2018 gubernatorial race, but there appeared little in the way of positive speculation that he would actually become a candidate.  With 30 minutes remaining in the candidate filing period on Friday, the former US Senator and Anchorage Mayor did submit his papers and will run for Governor.  Reacting to the move, Gov. Bill Walker (I), who had indicated he would enter the Democratic primary and also run on the Independent ballot line, said he would now not compete in the August 21st Democratic primary. 
 
The moves will produce a highly competitive three-way general election, featuring the Governor on the Independent line, very likely Mr. Begich becoming the Democratic standard bearer, and an eventual Republican nominee. 
 
In the GOP primary, former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and businessman and Anchorage Economic Development Corporation founder Scott Hawkins have been dueling for the nomination.  Late in the filing period, former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell also became a candidate, setting up a three-way August 21st primary. 
 
Messrs. Begich and Treadwell’s late moves have drastically changed this campaign and makes the Alaska Governor’s campaign a highly competitive one all the way through the November 6th general election.

--Jim Ellis