Young opens small lead against Parnell
Originally published Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 9:37 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 2:09 p.m.
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Alaskans on Wednesday were left wondering whether their lone U.S. representative would change for the first time in 35 years.
U.S. Rep. Don Young, under federal investigation for his ties to the oil field services company VECO Corp. but not charged, trailed most of Tuesday night in a tight race for the Republican nomination behind Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell.
But Young pulled ahead as results began arriving from rural precincts, where Young typically fares well. Rep. Don Young has pulled ahead of Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in the race for Alaska's single U.S. House seat. With all but one precinct reporting Wednesday afternoon, Young held a lead of 152 votes.
Young had 42,539 votes to Parnell's 42,387 votes. Gabrielle LeDoux trailed far behind with 8,618 votes.
Ethan Berkowitz won the Democratic race with 54 percent of the vote. Diane Benson was second with 37 percent.
"What a night," Young said in a statement e-mailed shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. "This has been an extremely spirited and hard-fought primary and now it appears as if we won't know the results until sometime Wednesday, at the earliest."
Young claimed on Tuesday that 4,000 Republican absentee ballots remain to be counted, a figure that could not be immediately confirmed by state elections officials.
Young said he was confident final results will give him a primary victory.
Parnell said he was satisfied with how his campaign was run.
"We had five months to get up and running and I think we did a good job with what we had," he said Tuesday.
"I just wanted Alaska voters to have an alternative to what's happening in Washington," he said. "I wanted them to know that they would have somebody there who would be for a responsible stewardship of taxpayer money and for openness and honesty in government. I wanted to offer them that reform alternative."
Young's campaign said Young was spending Tuesday night at his home in Fort Yukon, a village of about 600 on the Yukon River about 154 miles northeast of Fairbanks.
Benjamin Neuls, voting at a south Anchorage precinct Tuesday, said he has supported Young in past elections but chose Parnell this year.
"I think it's time for a fresh face," he said.
Neuls, a caregiver for the developmentally disabled and a registered Republican, said he met Parnell and came away impressed.
"He just seemed to be open and honest," Neuls said. "He didn't seem to be elitist. Very approachable."
Parnell entered the race in dramatic fashion, blind-siding Young at the state Republican convention with his announcement. But the question remains whether Parnell squandered any chances of unseating Young despite the backing of his popular boss, Gov. Sarah Palin.
Young in past elections was the beneficiary of fundraising efforts by former VECO Corp. chairman Bill Allen, who pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska state lawmakers and who sent work crews to remodel and expand the home of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
A former aide to Young, Mark Zachares, pleaded guilty to conspiracy for accepting $30,000 of tickets to sporting events and concerts from congressional influence peddler Jack Abramoff.
The FBI is investigating Young's ties to a Florida developer who held a fundraiser for Young in 2005 and then benefited from a change Young made to a federal highway bill as chairman of the House Transportation Committee. The U.S. House requested the Justice Department investigate the Florida project.
Even Young's greatest strength, the ability to deliver federal dollars to Alaska, became a liability in some circles. Highlighted by two bridge projects, Young and Stevens have been synonymous with pork barrel spending.
Young also has refused to explain why his campaign has spent more than $1 million in campaign donations on legal fees.
Vincent Voss said he decided to stick with Young despite ongoing investigations. He did not know much about Parnell, he said, and Alaska needed the benefits it could reap from Young's seniority.
"I don't think the other options are better," Voss said.
Young's support for a huge transportation bill and other votes, such as a boost to the minimum wage, made him a target of the Club for Growth, a national political organization that provides financial support from members to congressional candidates.
The group found a soul mate in Parnell, who denounced Young for ethical lapses and abuse of the spending process.
Young's response: Every earmark provided was a response to Alaskans stating a need. He has slammed Parnell for embracing the backing of an anti-Alaska special interest group.
The winner will move on to the November election to face Berkowitz, the former House Minority Leader.
"We ran a campaign based on the issues and the voters responded," Berkowitz said.
Berkowitz focused much of his campaign on energy issues, the high prices Alaskans pay and possibilities for lowering them, including alternative energy. He credited Benson with bringing up important issues, such as veterans' benefits.
As for the uncertainty of who he would face in November, Berkowitz said, it didn't matter.
"I've got something for everybody," he said.
If Parnell prevails, "I can be a fighter for Alaska in Washington, D.C. that Sean Parnell can't," he said.
If Young prevails, Berkowitz said, he will provide the change that Parnell backers were seeking to restore Alaska's reputation.
"I'm the man for that job," he said.
Anchorage school psychologist Joan Bohmann voted for Berkowitz.
"I respected his work when he was in the Legislature," Bohmann said. "I respect what he stands for. I respect his approach to the campaign."
Melissa Beneke, a bartender and a researcher at the University of Alaska Anchorage, voted for Berkowitz and said she wanted changes in Alaska's political old boys network.
"I would like to see it possibly broken up a little bit," she said.
The corruption in Alaska politics has run deep, she said.
"It starts to make you think they're thinking about themselves, not the people of Alaska," Beneke said.
Community Discussion
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Pretty entertaining!
GO Ted, Go Don!
why doesn't the local news stations cover this stuff from the time the polls close? if they were i'd have my tv on. this IS entertaining stuff. since they don't the tv is off.
Can't believe dirty uncle ted did so well, at least no more vic vickers commercials, but thats going to hand the senate seat to Beggich. Ted on trial versus a democrat talkin all kinds of crap about being independent. Probably start talking about hope and change too, people eat that stuff up you know.
Beggich is so independent but he's was recently at fundraiser put on by MR. Gungrabber himself Chuck Schumer. He wont accept money from special interests, but a commie senator from new york, sure bring it on. I'm sure there will be no strings attached to that money by the way.
The next senator from the state of alaska, Mr. (I never saw a bond proposal I didn't like) Beggich.
Sad to see the people of fairbanks, a town that needs some economic activity and diversity is against the gaming commission. Hopefully the people in Anchorage have more sense. Gambling is here already, why not make some good out of it. Make some jobs, create an industry. Or is it only ok if your droppin moose poop, pulling tabs, racing rubber duckies, or tipping tripods? They are all gambling, must we insist on being that hypocritical?
Sad about mike kelley too, that guy is full of himself. What else would you expect from a guy who ran GVEA, and sits of the hospital board. THese two NONPROFITS are two of the top three ripoffs in this town and kelley's had his hands in both of them. BTW, the third of course is the refinery, but even they wouldn't have the stones to charge 40 bucks for two tylenol. The people of fairbanks deserve better.
I'm not Vick Vickers and i didn't pay for this message but we are missing a excellent opportunity to put new blood into the senate.
Good BYE to Arrogant DON YOUNG
I hate to say this since I really hate to vote Republican , but Ted Stevens is the best person for the job . Ted has done an excellent job through the years . How about the old adage innocent until proven guilty . We have a lot of vigilanty mentality around here , " Hang em now , ask questions later " .
C'mon guys, Both Ted and Don have got to go. We've made a lot of money due to them but the game is up. They've been got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and will be useless to us from now on. Like most of us, I got a family to feed and can't afford to have someone who won't be able to cut the mustard anymore in DC.
I'm a family man, family first, they gotta go.
dog
Got a kick out of Vic Vickers saying he will "take us back to the way things were". Funny-- my thoughts were " Let's see... Alaska is 50 years old now and Ted has been in office 40 years. So.... Vic wants to go back to what...? An out house in every yard?"
Think he'll go home now? Hey VIC! Floridas' calling!
Peace
The closest principled candidate running against Senator Stevens in the primary wasn't even a contender. His core values, principles, and issue stands are the things keeping Senator Stevens in office. Anyone who can run on the Senator's platform with the same strengths, could replace our Senior Statesman on any given Tuesday. Sadly, that day has not arrived. On the up side, it looks like we replaced Representative Young. Three out of four ballot measure votes isn't bad, but I voted for the commission, and maybe the Legislature will look at adding a commission as part of the long term energy plan.
It shames me think think alaskans would even consider anyone with the name of Stevens for public office. I guess this sends a clear message that money is more important than integrity. What most people don't understand is that Ted has lost any clout he had since he has been indicted. Not even politicians will assoiciate with someone under criminal investigation. Even if he wins, chances are he will get beat in the next election by Begich, judging by the numbers generated tonight. Will we ever learn?
I can't believe that APRN ended their coverage with the Young/Parnell battle still undecided.
It will never cease to amaze me that Interior Alaska (since the Pipeline) votes consistently with corruption.
Good job people! most of the measures are failing! As citizen we must watch these measures they bring to us. Many times it has a legal catch which will evenualy bite us when least expected. Peace :.)
The indictment is not what will sink Senator Steven's ship. It is his age. He has done well, and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to please tell me one politician who did not use their connections to take advantage. It is not what you know it is who you know.
My hairbrain is hurting. This was so simple.
I am so happy with joy this evening!
These election commercials almost drove
me nuts. At least we only have 60 more
days to the next election.
practical
Stevens got more votes than Begich, and those while he faced a better opponent in Dave Cuddy than anyone Begich faced. Once Senator Stevens is found innocent, he stands an excellent chance of beating Begich. Take heart.
Preston_Lancashire
It's 1:34am and the Young/Parnell race is still undecided.
It's 4:26am and the Young/Parnell race is still undecided. Oh yeah it's because normal people are sleeping.
It's time for a change...
Remember Don Young's famous last words "It only takes one vote to win." This might be the election where it is " It only takes one vote to lose."
Imagine that corrupt people, in Alaska still win.. Thought Stevens and Young both needed to go.. Is there no common sense left in Alaska. Young want's to raise taxes and Stevens has been pulled from any position of power.. Both have served well, and both need replaced now.
My hairbrain realy hurts. It was just so simple.
Innocent until proven guilty
We're tired of this old coot and his crimes. If he would swallow his pride and go out on top he would be remembered as being a great congressman. Just like Stevens. These old criminals are going to hang on until they have destroyed their legacies because they feel entitled to the peoples' office.
I suppose the people in this state love more of the same, what a shame.......!
Ted Stevens, AK'S MAN OF THE CENTURY! Wouldn't it be ironic if he served his final term in the senate from the fed pen.
Well done, Don I change my party for this primary,because I knew you needed my vote on this primary and We are at where we are now,because of you,thanks
you are tired of the old coot. most of us aren't. yes, i'd like some more of the same please.
I heard Young won....in the Florida primary.
Thank God no more Vic Vickers commercials... they were soooooo annyoing kinda like the Mattress Ranch commercials.
Remember when Don Young got busted for using convicted superlobbyist Jack Abramoff's sky box at that stadium and he claimed he didn't have ANY IDEA it belonged to Abramoff? Don't you hate it when someone offers you the use of their skybox and you forget to ask them who they are?? I hate that...
/Good times...
Young and Stevens are both liberals. Yes they bring home the bacon, but at what cost. Look at the ever ballooning federal government. When was the last time that Stevens or Young stood up for any conservative principle? These guys have lost touch with Alaskans and regular Americans in general. I just can't bring myself to vote for these guys, I can't vote for Beggich or Berkowitz, but I'm sick of voting for the lesser of two evils. Wouldn't it be nice to have a canidate that you actually beleived in. (and not in the Barak H. Obama empty platitude sort of way) They should be using their power to change this country, fight against the invasion of illegal immigrants, punish companies who hire them, reduce the budget and the deficit, eliminate waste in the government, but instead its all pork.
I know of several democrats who choose the republican ticket so that they could vote for Don Young and Vic Vickers believeing that they were the most beatable of all of the candidates
RooftopVoter
You're spot on in your estimation.
http://ontheissues.org/House/Don_Young_I...
http://ontheissues.org/International/Ted...
USBC rates Don Young a mere %33, and Ted Stevens an abysmal %25 in their support of secure borders and ending illegal immigration.
They both voted in favor of the so-called "debt-reduction act" of 2005. They do little, however, to bring any attention or focus to the problem. I'm with you. But as I'm not willing to run for their offices, I have to go with the lesser of 5 evils as it were. A little conservatism is better than none, which is what we'll get with with Begich, Berkowitz, or Parnell. Liberals have taken over the Republican party. We need look no further than our own state government for proof of that. Conservatism has been put on the ropes these last 8 years, but it will return. These things are cyclical. Two things have never been more certain; liberal policies breed dependence and economic stagnation. People will tire of these and look to conservatism for a change.
hckywtchr
to face Berkowitz? are you joking? I bet Theresa Obermeyer could beat Ethan Berkowitz.
"They should be using their power to change this country, fight against the invasion of illegal immigrants, punish companies who hire them, reduce the budget and the deficit, eliminate waste in the government, but instead its all pork."
Rooftopvoter, I can sympathize, but when in recent times has the Republicans ever followed the ideals that most people who vote for them expect? They get elected because of a couple hot button issues. Strength in the military, anti gay stance (although a fair number of they themselves ARE gay) and the abortion issue. Especially in the past 8 years with until 2 years ago having the luxury of both house and senate being majority Republican, and a stacked Supreme court that they could have made headway in the abortion issue, but I will tell you a secret that no one wants anyone to know. About 85% of them don't give a rip about the abortion issue except for as a vehicle to get themselves elected. If they made all abortion illegal tomorrow they would have killed their golden goose that keeps getting them reelected. As for the other kind of conservative, the fiscal kind, they just pay lip service and some lame idea that tax cuts for the obscenely wealthy will somehow trickle down to the rest of the public like some sort of solid gold urinal. What they do is run the budget so deep in the hole that if a Democrat ever does get elected President they will need to spend their whole time doing damage control by trying to pay it back with raised taxes and no money left for national health insurance or any of the other social programs they were elected for like shoring up Social Security and Medicare. With luck an ignorant public, hooked on Fox News 24/7 will see what a loser that Democrat President was that they will dump him in 4 and go back to a Republican and business as usual. Business being maybe a war or 2 to keep us all "safe" and the Boeing's and the Haliburton's and the KBR's all fed. Let the big corporations buy up the rest the news outlets too so their coverage will be slanted enough to make it impossible for those commie Democrats to get reelected again.
If the Republicans actually stood for fiscal responsibility and doing the right thing, just because its the right thing to do for the citizenry I might be a Republican myself but there isn't much danger of that happening anytime soon.
"I know of several democrats who choose the republican ticket so that they could vote for Don Young and Vic Vickers believeing that they were the most beatable of all of the candidates"
Interesting, considering that the Republicans run a closed primary and only registered Republicans, Non-Partisan, or Undeclared voters can vote a Republican ballot.
No matter one's politics, it is refreshing to see Alaskans begining to court change. A voter-enforced retirement for Don Young would be good news indeed. Young's tenure in DC became primarily all about him and his "well-oiled" network long ago. Lets hear it for that Ketchikan Bridge; I'll suggest Alaskans call it "The Term-inator" from this day forward.
What photodude said... Could someone please explain to me the purpose of this rule?
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_prim...
A closed primary is a type of direct primary limited to registered party members who have declared their party affiliation, in order to vote in the election. The closed primary serves to encourage party unity and prevent members of other parties from infiltrating and voting to nominate weak candidates. However, critics claim that this type of primary disenfranchises independent voters and puts more moderate candidates at a disadvantage.
Valkyrie
The purpose of the rule (called a closed primary) is to prevent what hckywtchr described. it goes like this, follow me...
I support Mark Begich. I'm not confident he can beat Sean Parnell, but he can beat Ted Stevens, right? So I go to the primary election like we had yesterday and I vote for Ted Stevens. If enough Begich supporters do this, then Ted Stevens wins the primary. Now in the general election, my candidate Begich faces a weaker opponent in Stevens than he would have faced in Parnell. Get it? Republicans have closed primaries to prevent this. The problem is anyone can register "undeclared" and vote however they want, so the closed primary strategy doesn't really work.
Don Young leads by 150+ votes with only one precinct left to report! GO DON!
Which precinct is it, I wonder?
Ah, ok. Thanks.
I am a democrat who is registured undeclared, I voted for both Stevens and young in the primary..looks like my vote my have helped Don e. boy.
so where do I sign up to go the two rounds with Mr. young?
pretty sure that either young or parnell and stevens are going to win this primary. alaskans don't trust democrats anymore ever since knowles was the governor of alaska. begich will be lucky if he unseats ted, but don't think it's going to happen. voting for begich and see what happens.
People are innocent til proven guilty so until Mr. Steven and Mr.Young is conviced they are innocent of everthing. I thought it was interesting that the Democrats wanted either Mr. Young/Mr.Parnell to win. Democrats are not friendly to Alaska. They are against drilling, I emailed Mr. Begich how he stands in drilling in Alaska and haven't gotten a answer maybe because he is getting funding from anti-drilling in Alaska. Politics is the same with Mr Beigich with the special interest. Mr Steven will beat the charges and win his seat in the Senate. GO MR. Young and Mr. Steven.
Dems not friendly to Alaksa and Alaskans? Come on, Smokey.It's the unlawful acts perpetrated by a sobering number in the state's Republican machine and their well oiled friends
Who are bringing an end to the earmark graveytrain. I'm old enough to remember when Alaska was largely led by Democrats and was much more Can-Do and much less devisive and partisan. I hope that we may be on a path that will lead us forward rather than keep us mired in the present morass
Mr. Stevens and Mr. Young are hardly innocent. You must be from the land of utopia. Here in the real world the "innocent until proven guilty" only applies to juries. In Alaska, we're able to say out loud that these corrupt old men are criminals.
Hey "PolarMark!" Just got back on this comment section....and I'm a little late, but I'm responding to your request on why there was no "minute to minute" LIVE local coverage of the Primary Election.
First of all, from my estimation, (I could be wrong) there were only TWO or THREE venues where Election numbers were being viewed....and NEITHER had such rousing crowds that would sustain justifying LIVE "minute to minute coverage.
I, personally was at the Ted Stevens Headquarters, with about 25 other supporters.
They were all drinking beer, wine, soda, etc and eating food as well.
Definitely not a venue to justify LIVE "minute to minute" coverage of the Primary Election.
Secondly, of all the hot races....where were the candidates?
I'll tell you where.
Don Young was in Fort Yukon.
Ted Stevens, Sean Parnell, Mark Begich, and probably everyone else, including Ethan Berkowitz....were in Anchorage.
Would've been nice to have them all here in Fairbanks....but the media doesn't decide on where they'll be watching Election results.
What Fairbanks supporters got was Senator Stevens on speakerphone calling in from Anchorage, to offer this thanks.
Once again....no reason to justify LIVE "minute to minute" coverage.
We DID get Mike Kelly at one venue....Jay Ramras at the Stevens Headquarters....but I'm pretty positive no one wanted to hear them ramble on and on and on during this "minute to minute" coverage you're asking to air on a local station.
Third....there were NO ELECTION NUMBERS until AFTER 9p.m.
Now you're asking a local station to provide "minute to minute" coverage AFTER the polls closed, which was at 8 p.m.
For an entire HOUR....where do we find folks to talk to?
I'm quite positive you nor anyone else would find that HOUR "entertaining."
There was nothing to talk about.....everyone knew the issues.....and the people involved. Why rehash all of that?
Folks wanted RESULTS! Nothing more.
I just mentioned three reasons why LIVE "minute to minute" coverage of this event wasn't necessary.
What's unfortunate Polarmark is that if you DID have your television on....you would have caught LIVE updates of Election results, not only on Channel 11...but more likely...on Channel 13 as well.
I'm pretty sure Anchorage stations had the same.
Not bashing you or anyone here, and I DO agree, it is pretty entertaining, these races.
Some of the best in a very long time.
But expecting some national "flavor" in your local "cup of tea?"
Ain't gonna happen "PolarMark."
The number's....at least for last night's occasion....didn't justify it.
What you can do though, is you can round up about five thousand strong in the Carlson Center, for instance, bring all the candidates here to Fairbanks for the occasion, as well as a host of other things.....and it's a pretty good bet you'll get your LIVE "minute to minute" coverage.
Until then....turn that television back on....you're probably missing the updates.
Peace!
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