Parnell to run against Young for Congress
Originally published Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 12:00 a.m.
Updated Friday, March 14, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE — Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell upstaged his boss at the Republican state convention Friday, moments after she renewed her call for new party leaders.
Parnell called for an even bigger change. He announced he would seek Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House, held for most of Alaska’s statehood by Don Young.
“The days of unquestioning loyalty are gone,” Parnell said a few hours later after filing candidacy paperwork. “It’s time for principled leadership.”
Gov. Sarah Palin escorted Parnell into the Division of Elections office and immediately endorsed him over Young, who has held the office for 35 years. She gave no thought to the protocol of an endorsement months before the August primary, she said.
“When something’s right, it’s right,” she said. “There’s no time like the present to state your case and speak candidly about what you believe in. And I believe in his candidacy.”
Parnell and Palin shook up the early hours of a convention usually highlighted by the Pledge of Allegiance and a rendition of the state song. Palin welcomed delegates, then said she would address “the big elephant in the room.”
“It has been a tumultuous year for the GOP,” she said.
Three former state lawmakers were convicted in 2007 of bribery and other corruption charges. The FBI and the IRS searched the Girdwood home of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. The structure was expanded and renovated under the direction of former VECO chief Bill Allen, who pleaded guilty last year to bribing Alaska lawmakers, including Stevens’ son, Ben, he claimed in testimony. Neither Stevens has been charged.
“You’re going to hear arguments, ‘The D’s are no different. They just haven’t been caught lately,’” Palin said. “I say that’s still a weak argument. Let us do what we can to clean up politics ... They (Democrats) can worry about their own problems.”
Palin’s own candidacy was boosted by her role four years ago in uncovering that party Chairman Randy Ruedrich was engaged in partisan political activity while both were members of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Ruedrich was fined $12,000. Despite the scandal, Republicans again elected him party chief in 2006.
Palin has called for his removal and on Friday said she had learned that the party’s central committee had blocked an attempt to amend the agenda and allow delegates to consider a change.
“An action like that reflects why we must take some bold steps at this convention,” Palin said. “I think we need to call on all of you assembled delegates to rise, and literally even, stand with me if you desire change in our party’s leadership.”
About half the crowd did, to sustained applause.
Parnell followed and he too strayed from a generic welcoming speech.
“For too long, we have expected too little from our elected officials,” Parnell said. “It is time for change.”
Young last month refused to answer questions about why his campaign has spent $845,035 on legal fees. Young said only the media, and not his constituents, had asked about the fees.
Young refused to answer again when a reporter identified himself as a constituent, but someone who had not voted for Young.
Parnell said the exchange figured into his decision to challenge Young.
“The notion that an elected official gets to pick who his constituents are based on whether they voted for him, that is wrong,” Parnell said.
Young, 74, is the subject of another federal investigation that includes his campaign finance practices.
He had briefly left the room when Parnell took the stage, and when he took the dais, quickly taunted his new primary opponent.
“Sean, congratulations,” Young said. “I beat your dad and I’m going to beat you.”
Young soundly defeated Parnell’s father, Pat Parnell, who ran as a Democrat in the 1980 general election.
In a jab at Palin and Parnell, Young said the state has not done enough to develop natural resources on state land, whether it’s speeding permits for mines or providing infrastructure such as a Susitna River dam with funding backed by the Alaska Permanent Fund.
“The state wants to keep the money in their coffee can, and you wonder why we have a problem back in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
In a prepared statement, Young said he hit the ground running 35 years ago and has not slowed, delivering infrastructure and favorable legislation to Alaska.
“This campaign will be about who can represent Alaska’s interest in Congress against the anti-Alaska Democratic leadership that would rather see Alaska gated and turned into a National Park,” he said.
Parnell, 45, was elected with Palin in 2006. He holds a law degree and served in the state House from 1992 to 1996. He followed that with a term in the state Senate.
In the Legislature, he had a reputation as a fiscal conservative and he repeated that theme Friday.
“We need to reduce spending,” he said. “We’ve got a $408 billion deficit. I want to address the spending side of the equation, not just the tax increases that the Democrats just voted in. I want to bring that fiscal accountability and responsibility to the table.”
Community Discussion
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I dont really know enough about Sean Parnell, but I do know about Don Young, and it is time for him to GO!!!
I'm pleased to see another republican running against Young. At least Mr. Parnell isn't currently under investigation for corruption. I'm sure we'll learn more about him as time goes on, though.
Personally, I'll most likely vote for any available independent or libertarian candidate. I'll admit I'm more than a little jaded. Neither of the two major parties has shown anything special to me other than a special ability to dodge the tough questions, renege on campaign promises, sell their votes to the highest corporate bidders or subvert the State's needs to the desires of the party.
At the end of the day there isn't a dime's worth of difference between any of 'em.
In 2008, Don's getting the gate!
I'm glad to see Parnell throw his hat in the ring. I'm a Republican, but I don't much care for Don Young. As for Ledoux, I was still considering voting for Young over her since I think that she's even worse. It's nice to see that I'll have a better choice come August.
The Democrats are called the 'Tax and Spend Party' but Republicans have become the 'Borrow and Spend Party'. Young is part of it and has to go. We need more than gutter fighting politcians; we need statesmen with vision for the country as a whole. Fire 'em up!
Well, this is a nice step forward as Alaskan politics is due for a serious makeover! Good luck to Parnell! Step down and relax Young! Go fishing! You've done enough!
I hope Mr. Parnell, or whomever his successor is willing to commit to a life sentence to DC. Clearly, that is what it takes to become effective as the House's lone Alaska representative.
It is time for Don to go. I thank him for his years of service, however, he let it go to his head. And I'm sorry, but he needs to pay the piper for some incredibly poor decisions.
I was raised Democrat, became a Republican in my early twenties. Now, I'm heading for independence. This Republican convention confirmed my decision, where they didn't clean out the bottom of the barrel. Farewell Republicans and Don you both need a trip to the woodshed!
Young Vs. Parnell
Young has got my vote. Embrace the "CHANGE" in your pockets.
The Democrats had decades to unseat Frank Murkowski and failed. It took a Republican to send him out to pasture. It looks like the same might happen to Don Young, and I won't object to that for a moment.
As a nonpartisan voter who has never been able to stand Young, I've waited far too many years for the Democrats to provide me with a viable alternative to him. They haven't done it. Come primary day, I'll be grabbing a Republican ballot and voting for Parnell. And I'll look forward to voting for him again in November. I supported Sarah Palin in '06 and have been nothing but pleased. I'll enjoy repeating that scenario this year.
It's amazing - even Republicans and Independents would like to see Don Young "Retire" and go fishing. When Republicans go to a Democrat fund-raising event for a former Anchorage Mayor who's "exploring" the feasibility of a run for the U.S. Congress, then I think we are truly ready for a change. The change, however, needs to be made in the Primaries (as it was in the previous Gubernatorial Election). We don't need another Democrat serving (or should that be "servicing") the people of Alaska.
Maybe retire and move back to the Venetie Reservation where he came from. I'm sure they can use his expertise up there. Parnell has my vote and I'm sure he has most people's vote out of Fort Yukon.
Now, if we could just find a good conservative to run against Uncle Ted...
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