Alaska gubernatorial election, 2010

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## Contents

* 1 November 2, 2010 general election results
* 2 Inauguration and Transition
* 2.1 Innaugural date
* 2.2 Transition team
* 2.2.1 Parnell appointments
* 3 Official statements on the election
* 4 August 24, 2010 primary
* 5 Race ratings
* 6 Polling
* 6.1 General election polling
* 6.1.1 CNN/Time
* 6.1.2 Public Policy Polling
* 6.1.3 Rasmussen Reports
* 6.2 Primary election polling
* 6.2.1 July polling
* 6.2.2 May polling
* 7 Candidates
* 7.1 Democrat
* 7.2 Republican
* 7.3 Libertarian
* 7.4 Alaskan Independence
* 8 Issues
* 9 Gubernatorial electoral history
* 10 Presidential electoral history
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 Footnotes

In the Alaska gubernatorial election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican Sean Parnell defeated Democrat Ethan A. Berkowitz. As the appointed interim Governor, since July of 2009, Parnell had incumbent status but was serving as an appointee prior to his election, having succeeded to the office upon Sarah Palin's July 2009 resignation.

Following the August 24, 2010 primary elections, Ethan Berkowitz became the Democratic nominee, having beaten Hollis S. French. Among the Republicans, Sean Parnell's most serious challenger was Bill Walker, whom he still beat by 15 points.

## November 2, 2010 general election results[edit]

As of November 8th, 100% of votes were reported and counted. The Alaska State Review Board met from November 15th - 29th; they released the official, certified, vote count on November 30, 2010.[1]

On November 2, 2010, Parnell/Treadwell won election to the office of Governor/Lt. Governor of Alaska. They defeated Berkowitz/Benson (D), Toien/Brown (L) and Donald R. Wright (I) in the general election.

Governor/Lt. Governor of Alaska, 2010

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Parnell/Treadwell Incumbent | 59.1% | 151,318
| Democratic  |  Berkowitz/Benson  | 37.7% | 96,519
| Libertarian  |  Toien/Brown  | 1% | 2,682
| Alaskan Independence  |  Wright/Donald R.  | 1.9% | 4,775
| Write-in  |  N/A  | 0.4% | 898
Total Votes | 256,192
Election results via State of Alaska Division of Elections.

## Inauguration and Transition[edit]

### Innaugural date[edit]

Sean Parnell had been the acting governor since July 26, 2009, when he was sworn in upon Sarah Palin's resignation. Previously, he had been the Lt. Governor. Parnell took the oath of office and began his full term on December 6, 2010. The state legislature did not convene until January 18, 2011. This is done deliberately to give the governor time to make appointments and prepare legislation before the first day of the session.

Parnell's running mate and Lieutenant Governor-elect Mead Treadwell, also took the oath of office on December 6, 2010. Treadwell replaced Craig Campbell, who was the Commissioner of Military and Veteran Affairs for Alaska, before moving up to fill the empty lt. governor post.

### Transition team[edit]

Gov. Parnell's transition website listed seven committees he formed to address his priority issues. He also invited citizen input into the key areas[2]:

* 1\. Resources, Energy, and Environment
* 2\. Health and Education
* 3\. Infrastructure
* 4\. Science, Technology, and Communications
* 5\. Financial Services and Business Investment
* 6\. Public Safety and Justice
* 7\. Military

Bryan Butcher, government relations director for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, coordinated transition efforts. Each topic area had a committee head.[3]

#### Parnell appointments[edit]

While serving as an appointed governor, Parnell left Sarah Palin's appointees largely intact. Upon his election to a full term in the office, he stated his intention to make significant changes; Alaska's Constitution grants the governor very broad powers to appoint positions, including some that are elected by the citizens in most states.

Parnell asked for some resignations and told other key officials they could submit an application to be considered for his administration, but that they should not automatically expect to continue in the post they had prior to the election.[4]

The first confirmed departure from the governor's office was Department of Fish and Game chief, Denby Lloyd. Parnell noted that his plans to shake up his staff were as much to allow people who wished to take other opportunities to do too so as to form his own administration team.

## Official statements on the election[edit]

* Republican Governors Association on Parnell victory

* Alaska Republican Party on Election results (dead link)

* Alaska Democratic Party on Election results

## August 24, 2010 primary[edit]

2010 Race for Governor - Democrat Primary[5]

Candidates  | Percentage
Ethan A. Berkowitz (D) | 46.64%
Hollis S. French, II (D)  | 38.88%
William S. Toien (L)  | 3.55%
Donald R. Wright (AI)  | 8.92%
Total votes | 38,483
2010 Race for Governor - Republican Primary[6]

Candidates  | Percentage
Gerald L. Heikes (R)  | 0.40%
Merica Hlatcu (R)  | 0.56%
Sam Little (R)  | 1.54%
Sean Parnell (R) | 49.49%
Ralph Samuels (R)  | 14.05%
Bill Walker (R)  | 33.95%
Total votes | 88,423

## Race ratings[edit]

See also:  Gubernatorial elections 2010, Race tracking

2010 Race Rankings Alaska

Race Tracker  | Race Rating  |
The Cook Political Report[7] | Solid Republican  |
Congressional Quarterly Politics[8] | Likely Republican  |
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball[9] | Safe Republican  |
Rasmussen Reports Gubernatorial Scorecard[10] | Solid GOP  |
The Rothenberg Political Report[11] | Currently Safe Republican  |
Overall Call | Republican |

## Polling[edit]

### General election polling[edit]

#### CNN/Time[edit]

2010 Race for Governor of Alaska - CNN/Time

Date Reported  | Parnell (R)  | Berkowitz (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
September 24-28, 2010[12] | 57% | 38%  | 4%  | 2%
(Sample) | n=927  | MoE=+/- 3.0%  | p=0.05  |

#### Public Policy Polling[edit]

2010 Race for Governor of Alaska - Public Policy Polling

Date Reported  | Parnell (R)  | Berkowitz (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
October 30-31, 2010[13] | 54% | 43%  | 3%  | \-
October 9-10, 2010[14] | 51% | 41%  | 7%  | \-
(Sample) | n=1,678  | MoE=+/- 2.4%  | p=0.05  |
August 27-28, 2010[15] | 55% | 37%  | 2%  | 8%
(Sample) | n=1,306  | MoE=+/- 2.7%  | p=0.05  |

#### Rasmussen Reports[edit]

2010 Race for Governor of Alaska - Rasmussen Reports

Date Reported  | Parnell (R)  | Berkowitz (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
September 22, 2010[16] | 54% | 34%  | 5%  | 7%
August 31, 2010[17] | 53% | 43%  | 2%  | 2%
(Sample)[18] | n=500  | MoE=+/- 4.5%  | p=0.05  |

### Primary election polling[edit]

#### July polling[edit]

2010 Race for Governor of Alaska - Rasmussen Reports

Date Reported  | Parnell  | Berkowitz  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[19] | 53% | 34%  | 7%  | 6%
Date Reported  | Parnell  | French  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[20] | 57% | 29%  | 7%  | 8%
Date Reported  | Walker  | French  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[21] | 50% | 32%  | 5%  | 14%
Date Reported  | Samuels  | Berkowitz  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[22] | 48% | 36%  | 7%  | 9%
Date Reported  | Samuels  | French  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[23] | 49% | 30%  | 7%  | 13%
Date Reported  | Walker  | Berkowitz  | Other  | Not sure
July 15, 2010[24] | 46% | 38%  | 6%  | 11%
(Sample)[25] | n=500  | MoE=+/- 4.5%  | p=0.05  |

#### May polling[edit]

2010 Race for Governor of Alaska - Rasmussen Reports

Date Reported  | Parnell  | Berkowitz  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[26] | 58% | 30%  | 3%  | 8%
Date Reported  | Parnell  | French  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[27] | 62% | 24%  | 5%  | 9%
Date Reported  | Parnell  | Poe  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[28] | 62% | 21%  | 5%  | 12%
Date Reported  | Samuels  | Berkowitz  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[29] | 43% | 36%  | 7%  | 14%
Date Reported  | Samuels  | French  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[30] | 48% | 26%  | 10%  | 17%
Date Reported  | Samuels  | Poe  | Other  | Not sure
May 12, 2010[31] | 47% | 23%  | 11%  | 19%
(Sample)[32] | n=500  | MoE=+/- 4.5%  | p=0.05  |

## Candidates[edit]

The November Ballot – Who Made It? Alaska Governor

Nominee  | Affiliation  |
Ethan A. Berkowitz[33] | Democrat  |
Sean Parnell[34] | Republican  |
William S. "Billy" Toien[35] | Libertarian  |
Donald R. Wright[36] | Alaskan Independence  |
This lists candidates who won their state's primary or convention, or who were unopposed, and who were officially certified for the November ballot by their state's election authority.

Alaska's Division of Elections finalized the list of candidates on July 1, 2010.[37]

### Democrat[edit]

* Ethan A. Berkowitz, an attorney and business owner, is a former Minority Leader of the Alaska State House, having served four terms representing the Anchorage's 26th District.
* Hollis S. French, II, chairs the Judiciary Committee of the Alaska State Senator and represents the 'M District' covering East Spenard Inlet View and Turnagain. As Judiciary Chair, he received the Legislative Committee's appointment to lead the investigation into former Governor Sarah Palin (R), when her dismissal of public safety commissioner Walt Monegan raised questions. French officially filed his Letter of Intent to run on July 1, 2009. Later that month, he made official announcements in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks.

Withdrawn candidates

* Bob Poe, a businessman with experience in the energy and transportation sectors, withdrew his candidacy, effective June 14, 2010, due to fundraising challenges.
* Rob Rosenfeld,a consultant who specializes in the nonprofit sector, formally announced his campaign on February 6, 2009. Later that year, he left the race, referencing the number of declared candidates and the competitive Democratic primary as reasons behind his decision.[38]

### Republican[edit]

* John Harris, the Former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, represented the 12th District, covering Valdez, and chaired the Legislative Committee. He filed his Letter of Intent on July 7, 2009 and formally announced his candidacy the next day. In early November of 2009, Harris tentatively suggested he might exit the race, noting, "The governor is going to have to make some mistakes in my opinion, probably, for anybody to beat him, at least on the Republican side."[39] In early 2010, Harris left the race to run for re-election to his House seat.[40]
* Gerald L. Heikes, an Alaska native and veteran of the Alaska Air National Guard, has filed to run.
* Merica Hlatcu, a Rumanian born electrical engineer and photojournalist, who has previously ran in Alaska's 2006's GOP gubernatorial primary and later for the mayor of Anchorage[41], again sought the office.
* Sam Little, who owns his own trucking business and is an amateur country singer, entered the race.[42]
* Incumbent Sean Parnell, Sarah Palin's Lt. Governor, succeeded to the office upon Palin's July 2009 resignation. Previously he had served in both chambers of the Alaska legislature and worked as a lobbyist. He soon announced his intention to seek a full term on his own.
* Ralph Samuels, a travel industry executive and a former state House Majority Leader, having served three terms in the 29th District, entered the race in 2010.
* Bill Walker, an attorney who serves as project manager and general counsel to the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, announced his campaign in late September, 2009,[43]

Withdrawn candidates

* Brad Snowden, was disqualified by the State Division of Elections

### Libertarian[edit]

* William S. "Billy" Toien

### Alaskan Independence[edit]

* Donald R. Wright, filed to run in early April, 2010. He has previously sought the gubernatorial seat in 1978, 2002, and 2006, all three times with the Alaskan Independence Party.[44]

## Issues[edit]

The oil and gas industry and Alaska's tax and regulatory environment were the formative issues for the 2010 race, with candidates discussing their views on everything from Alaska's corporate tax structure to various ways and means of building an Alaskan gas pipeline. During a September 20 candidate forum, Libertarian candidate William Toien sided with Democrat challenger Ethan Berkowitz in his opposition to Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share oil and gas tax.[45]

## Gubernatorial electoral history[edit]

1998 Gubernatorial Results[46]

Candidates  | Percentage
Tony Knowles (D) | 51.3%
John Lindauer (R)  | 17.9%
Ray Metcalfe (Moderate)  | 6.2%
Erica 'Desa' L. Jacobssen (G)  | 3.0%
Sylvia C. Sullivan (AK Ind.)  | 1.9%
Total votes | 176,606

2002 Gubernatorial Results[47]

Candidates  | Percentage
Frank Murkowski (R) | 55.8%
Fran Ulmer (D)  | 40.7%
Diane Benson (G)  | 1.3%
Don Wright (AK Ind.)  | 0.9%
Raymond Vinzant (Moderate)  | 0.6%
Billy Toien (L)  | 0.5%
Total votes | 231,221

2006 Gubernatorial Results[48]

Candidates  | Percentage
Sarah Palin (R) | 48.3%
Tony Knowles (D)  | 41.0%
Andrew Halcro (I)  | 9.5%
Don Wright (AK Ind.)  | 0.5%
Billy Toien (L)  | 0.3%
David Massie (G)  | 0.2%
Total votes | 236,938

## Presidential electoral history[edit]

2000 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George W. Bush (R) | 58.6%
Al Gore (D)  | 27.7%

2004 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George W. Bush (R) | 61.1%
John Kerry (D)  | 35.5%

2008 Presidential Results[49]

Candidates  | Percentage
John McCain (R) | 59.4%
Barack Obama (D)  | 37.9%

1992 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George H.W. Bush (R) | 39.5%
Bill Clinton (D)  | 30.3%

1996 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
Bob Dole (R) | 50.8%
Bill Clinton (D)  | 33.3%

## See also[edit]

* Gubernatorial elections, 2010
* Alaska lieutenant gubernatorial election 2010

## External links[edit]

* State of Alaska Division of Elections

Campaign sites

* Ethan Berkowitz for Governor
* French for Governor
* Harris for Governor
* Heikes for Governor of Alaska 2010
* Sam Little for Governor of Alaska 2010
* Parnell for Governor
* Bob Poe
* Rosenfeld 4 Alaska
* Samuels for Governor
* Bill Walker for Governor

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ State of Alaska Division of Elections, "Unofficial results, statewide summary," updated November 30, 2010 at 15:27, accessed November 8, 2010, November 17, 2010, and December 20, 2010
2. ↑ Office of Governor Sean Parnell, "Transition 2010," accessed November 9, 2010 (dead link)
3. ↑ Office of Governor Sean Parnell, "Governor Announces Transition Approach: Input from Alaskans Encouraged," November 3, 2010
4. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Parnell to begin elected term with evaluation of top staff," November 4, 2010
5. ↑ State of Alaska Division of Elections, “August 24, 2010 Primary Election Results, Governor”, August 24, 2010
6. ↑ State of Alaska Division of Elections, “August 24, 2010 Primary Election Results, Governor”, August 24, 2010
7. ↑ The Cook Political, “Governors: Race Ratings”
8. ↑ CQ Politics, “2010 Race Ratings: Governors”
9. ↑ Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball', “2010 Governor Ratings”
10. ↑ Rasmussen Reports', “Election 2010: Scorecard Ratings”
11. ↑ Rothenberg Political Report, “Governor Ratings”
12. ↑ CNN/Time, “CNN/Time Opinion Research Poll: ALASKA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, ILLINOIS”, September 29, 2010
13. ↑ Public Policy Polling Daily Kos for, “AK-Gov: 54% Parnell (R), 43% Berkowitz (D) (PPP 10/31)”, November 1, 2010
14. ↑ Public Policy Polling Daily Kos for, “Daily Kos/PPP Alaska Poll”, September 2, 2010
15. ↑ Public Policy Polling, “Parnell, Young Safe in Alaska”, September 2, 2010
16. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, “Parnell (R) Jumps To 20-Point Lead in Governor of Alaska’s Race”, September 19, 2010
17. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, “Toplines - Governor of Alaska - August 31, 2010”, September 2, 2010
18. ↑ [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
19. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
20. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
21. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
22. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
23. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
24. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Governor of Alaska: Parnell (R) 53%, Berkowitz (D) 34% ," July 19, 2010
25. ↑ [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
26. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Alaskaa Governor: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
27. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
28. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
29. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alaska: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
30. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alabama: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
31. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Governor of Alabama: Parnell Well Ahead of Democratic Rivals," May 12, 2010
32. ↑ [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
33. ↑ State of Alaska, Division of Elections, "August 24, 2010 Primary Candidate List," as of September 5, 2010
34. ↑ State of Alaska, Division of Elections, "August 24, 2010 Primary Candidate List," as of September 5, 2010
35. ↑ State of Alaska, Division of Elections, "August 24, 2010 Primary Candidate List," as of September 5, 2010
36. ↑ State of Alaska, Division of Elections, "August 24, 2010 Primary Candidate List," as of September 5, 2010
37. ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "August 24, 2010 Primary Candidate List"
38. ↑ Alaska Dispatch, "Rosenfeld drops bid for governor ," October 8, 2009
39. ↑ Alaska Politics Blog, "John Harris may get out of the race for governor," November 3, 2009
40. ↑ Alaska Dispatch, "Harris pulls out of governor's race," January 22, 2010
41. ↑ Alaska Star, "Meet the candidates for Anchorage mayor," February 24, 2009
42. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Will sing for votes: Trucker wants to be Alaska governor," June 28, 2010
43. ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage attorney Walker announces run for governor," September 28, 2009
44. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Alaskan Independence Party veteran runs for governor again," April 30, 2010
45. ↑ Alaska Watchdog, "Gubernatorial candidates talk pipeline, taxes"
46. ↑ Election Summary Report: State of Alaska 1998 General Election: OFFICIAL RESULTS, December 1, 1998
47. ↑ Election Summary Report: State of Alaska 2002 General Election: OFFICIAL RESULTS, December 6, 2002
48. ↑ Election Summary Report: State of Alaska 2006 General Election: OFFICIAL RESULTS, December 5, 2006
49. ↑ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections', accessed July 28, 2010

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