Alaska gubernatorial election, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Former Governor Sarah Palin
did not run, having resigned
in July 2009. Incumbent Governor Sean Parnell
, who as lieutenant governor succeeded Palin following her resignation, announced that he would seek a full term.
Following the primary election on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, the Democratic ticket consists of Ethan Berkowitz
and Diane E. Benson
running against Republican Parnell and his running mate, Mead Treadwell
.
In the general election Parnell/Treadwell defeated Berkowitz/Benson by a wide margin. Parnell received over 59% of the vote, which is the highest percentage for any Alaska gubernatorial candidate in history.
Official campaign sites
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
did not run, having resigned
Resignation of Sarah Palin
The resignation of Sarah Palin as Governor of Alaska was announced on July 3, 2009 and became effective on July 26. Sean Parnell, the lieutenant governor, took Palin's place as governor.-Reasons for the resignation:...
in July 2009. Incumbent Governor Sean Parnell
Sean Parnell
Sean R. Parnell is an American Republican politician who is the tenth and current Governor of Alaska. He succeeded Sarah Palin following her resignation, and was sworn in at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009...
, who as lieutenant governor succeeded Palin following her resignation, announced that he would seek a full term.
Following the primary election on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, the Democratic ticket consists of Ethan Berkowitz
Ethan Berkowitz
Ethan A. Berkowitz is an American politician who was the Alaska State Representative for District 26 from 1997 through 2006, serving as Democratic Party Minority Leader from 1999 to 2006.-Early life and education:...
and Diane E. Benson
Diane E. Benson
Diane E. Benson is an Alaskan politician, inspirational speaker, video production consultant, published writer and dramatist. In August 2010, she became the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor for the state of Alaska, easily outpacing three other opponents in the Democratic primary on August...
running against Republican Parnell and his running mate, Mead Treadwell
Mead Treadwell
Mead Treadwell is the 13th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and former Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.- Work with the Arctic Research Commission :...
.
In the general election Parnell/Treadwell defeated Berkowitz/Benson by a wide margin. Parnell received over 59% of the vote, which is the highest percentage for any Alaska gubernatorial candidate in history.
Democratic Party
- Ethan BerkowitzEthan BerkowitzEthan A. Berkowitz is an American politician who was the Alaska State Representative for District 26 from 1997 through 2006, serving as Democratic Party Minority Leader from 1999 to 2006.-Early life and education:...
, former Minority Leader of the Alaska House of RepresentativesAlaska House of RepresentativesThe Alaska House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of about 15,673 people . Members serve two-year terms without term limits... - Hollis S. FrenchHollis FrenchHollis S. French II is a Democratic member of the Alaska Senate, representing the M district since 2003. The district covers the East Spenard and Turnagain/Inlet View areas of Anchorage. He is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee....
, State SenatorAlaska SenateThe Alaska Senate is the upper house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The Senate consists of twenty members, each of whom represents an equal amount of districts with populations of about 31,347 people . Senators serve four-year terms, without term...
Results
Certified for the ballot
- Sean ParnellSean ParnellSean R. Parnell is an American Republican politician who is the tenth and current Governor of Alaska. He succeeded Sarah Palin following her resignation, and was sworn in at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks on July 26, 2009...
, incumbent Governor - Gerald L. Heikes
- Merica Hlatcu
- Sam Little, truck driverTruck driverA truck driver , is a person who earns a living as the driver of a truck, usually a semi truck, box truck, or dump truck.Truck drivers provide an essential service to...
and country musician - Ralph SamuelsRalph SamuelsRalph Samuels Businessman and a member of the Republican Party and candidate for Governor of Alaska, that served as a State Representative of the Alaska State Legislature from 2002-2008 representing House District 29 and serving as the Majority Leader.-Educational background:Attended schools in...
, former Majority Leader of the Alaska House of RepresentativesAlaska House of RepresentativesThe Alaska House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of about 15,673 people . Members serve two-year terms without term limits... - Bill Walker, attorney
Withdrew
- John HarrisJohn Harris (Alaska politician)John Harris is an American politician and member of the Alaska House of Representatives. He served as Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2008. He was first elected in 1998 and represents the 12th district, as a member of the Republican Party. He was the mayor of Valdez from 1992 to 1996 and a...
, former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, announced in January 2010 that he would be seeking re-election to his House seat instead
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Sean Parnell | Ralph Samuels | Bill Walker | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellenthal & Associates | July 22-25, 2010 | 60% | 13% | 15% | 12% |
| Basswood Research | February 27-28, 2010 | 69% | 9% | 4% | 21% |
Results
Candidates
- Ethan Berkowitz (D)
- Berkowitz's running mate is college professor Diane Benson, who ran for Governor in 1998 on the Green Party ticket.
- Sean Parnell (R)
- Parnell's running mate is businessman Mead TreadwellMead TreadwellMead Treadwell is the 13th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and former Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.- Work with the Arctic Research Commission :...
.
- Parnell's running mate is businessman Mead Treadwell
- William Toien (L)
- Toien's running mate is Jeffrey Brown.
- Don Wright (AIP)
- Wright's running mate is Michigan Militia founder Norm Olson.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Solid R | October 29, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
Safe R | October 28, 2010 |
| Swing State Project | Safe R | |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Solid R | October 29, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Safe R | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Solid R | October 29, 2010 |
Polling
| Poll source | Dates administered | Sean Parnell (R) | Ethan Berkowitz (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNN/Time Magazine | October 15-19, 2010 | 62% | 36% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 13, 2010 | 52% | 39% |
| CNN/Time Magazine | September 24-28, 2010 | 57% | 38% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 19, 2010 | 54% | 34% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 31, 2010 | 53% | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 27-28, 2010 | 55% | 37% |
| Basswood Research | August 28-29, 2010 | 54% | 40% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 15, 2010 | 53% | 34% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 6, 2010 | 58% | 30% |
Fundraising
Campaign activity disclosure reports are filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. For the period ending February 1, 2010, the candidates and others subject to filing have reported the following to APOC:| Candidate | Cash on hand | Candidate's own money |
Total income | Total expenses | Total debts | Surplus/ (deficit) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkowitz | $0 | $10,295.77 | $128,178.52 | $19,500.20 | $0 | $108,678.32 |
| Parnell | $0 | $0 | $214,696.77 | $93,842.38 | $2,025.00 | $123,150.38 |
Results
Background
In Alaska, the lieutenant governor runs separately from the governor in the primary election. The respective party nominees for each office are then joined together as a party ticket in the general election. On occasion, a minor party will nominate a candidate for governor, but without a running mate.Candidates
- Mead TreadwellMead TreadwellMead Treadwell is the 13th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alaska and former Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.- Work with the Arctic Research Commission :...
(Republican) (won primary) - Diane E. BensonDiane E. BensonDiane E. Benson is an Alaskan politician, inspirational speaker, video production consultant, published writer and dramatist. In August 2010, she became the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor for the state of Alaska, easily outpacing three other opponents in the Democratic primary on August...
(Democrat) (won primary) - Eddie Burke (Republican), Anchorage businessman and radio talk showTalk radioTalk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
hostRadio personalityA radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,... - Craig CampbellCraig Campbell (politician)Craig Eaton Campbell was the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Alaska, holding the office from August 10, 2009 through December 6 2010. Prior to that date, he was "temporary substitute" lieutenant governor for several weeks until being confirmed in the position by the State Legislature...
(Republican), incumbent (withdrew April 2010) - Jay RamrasJay RamrasJay Ramras is a Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing the 10th District since 2004. He is currently serving as Chair of the Education Committee, Vice-Chair of the State Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Health & Social Services Committee and the Resources...
(Republican), FairbanksFairbanksFairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community...
businessman and member of the Alaska House - Lynette Moreno-Hinz, an Anchorage taxicab driver who was involved with a taxi deregulation ballot issue in 2008
External links
- Alaska Division of Elections
- Alaska Governor Candidates at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Alaska Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions for 2010 Alaska Governor from Follow the Money
- 2010 Alaska Gubernatorial General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Alaska Governor from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- 2010 Alaska Governor Race from RealClearPoliticsRealClearPoliticsRealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and...
- Alaska Governor's Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race Profile in The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Official campaign sites