Alaska: Still More Data

​The three-way Alaska Governor’s race featuring incumbent Independent Gov. Bill Walker has attracted a great deal of attention since former Sen. Mark Begich (D) surprisingly entered the race.  Two previous polls found former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy (R) leading both Gov. Walker and ex-Sen. Begich, and that remains constant in the new Harstad Strategic Research poll conducted for the Alaska AFL-CIO.  But, once more, we see alternating positions for Messrs. Walker and Begich.
 
According to the Harstad results (6/21-26; 602 AK likely general election voters), Mr. Dunleavy holds a 32-28-28% lead over his two opponents.  The other polls, from the Alaska Research Service and Patinkin Research Strategies, found separate instances of both Gov. Walker and Mr. Begich falling to third position.  The polling also finds that both Walker and Begich would top Dunleavy in a one-on-one race, but there is no sign that either the Governor or ex-Senator will soon depart the campaign.  So, unless something changes before the August 21st primary, the Alaska Governor’s race will feature three major candidates.