Interior voters say no to Young, ballot measures; Benson finds some support
Published Thursday, August 28, 2008
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — Unofficial election results show that Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, lost in all seven Interior House Districts even though he calls the Interior village of Fort Yukon home.
Also, breakdowns for the Interior show that Diane Benson won the Democratic nomination for Congress in two Fairbanks districts and the horseshoe-shaped Bush district spread over 46 Interior villages. The Lathrop High School graduate ultimately lost the race to Ethan Berkowitz, a former state legislator from Anchorage.
With about 4,000 ballots, or 2 percent of the ballots cast uncounted, results by the Division of Elections show that Interior voters doomed the four ballot measures, mirroring statewide results.
A spokesman for the Young re-election campaign said the 18-term incumbent hears the message sent by voters in his backyard.
“The subtle message there is, ‘Hey Don, we need more of your help,’” Michael Anderson said. “I know Mr. Young is hearing that message. He’s from the Interior. He’s looking forward to demonstrating how important the Interior is to him.”
Young is locked in a close battle with Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell for the Republican endorsement to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives. Young’s lead reportedly stands at less than 200 votes.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Congressman carried 24 of the state’s 40 voting districts with strong support in Anchorage.
Parnell, who did well in Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla and Palmer, issued a statement thanking Interior voters.
“I am so thankful for the overwhelming support we have received from the Interior,” the statement said. “Clearly, Districts 6-12 provided a boost to our vote totals across the state. Since Gov. Palin and I were inaugurated at the Carlson Center, Interior residents have known how much I value them and the future we can create together.”
Benson said she was pleased to learn that she was competitive in the Interior. She won in House Districts 6, 9 and 10. Berkowitz cinched the nomination with help from voters in Interior districts 7, 8, 11 and 12.
Benson chalked up her partial success to strong military ties — her son is an injured Iraq war veteran — as well as her appeal to working-class voters and time spent in the Bush.
Benson won in the district that claims the Fort Wainwright Army post. Voters on Fort Richardson in Anchorage also endorsed the former truck driver.
“I had a lot of veteran support,” Benson said, adding “It’s been evident across the board that I appeal to working class people around the state.”
Benson lived in Ruby while dating an Iditarod musher and spent time in Galena, Tanana and Hughes, she said.
The candidate’s former foster family in Fairbanks campaigned on her behalf, she added.
Of the four ballot measures, the one establishing a gambling commission, Ballot Measure 1, and the one allowing for publicly financed political campaigns, Ballot Measure 3, lost in every state voting district.
Eleven of the 40 districts favored Ballot Measure 4, a measure to toughen mining regulations. Nine districts approved Ballot Measure 2, the measure limiting aerial wolf hunting.
Interior voters nixed all four measures with multiple voters saying one or another was unnecessary, confusing or vague.
The group behind the mining initiative issued a statement Wednesday promising to continue its fight.
“The state’s handling of a biased Web site and our own governor’s role in supporting a no vote on this ballot initiative should be of great concern to Alaskans who believe the state can fairly and impartially oversee mine permitting,” the statement said.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Wow...when I voted for Parnell I was most definitely NOT thinking that I needed more help from Don Young.
Hey Don Young---
"What we have here is a failure to communicate..."
Like Tundrabunny, more help was the furthest thing from my mind when I voted for Sean Parnell.
My thoughts too.
The patronizing arrogance continues...
It must have been tortuous for him to spend some time in Fort Yukon so he could pretend for us that he has some kind of life there...
Subtle message?
I think losing in your home districts is anything but a subtle message. In fact it would seem to be more along the lines of getting hit by a freight train traveling at 60 mph.
But then again, I'm not a politician or political analyst. I'm just another pissed-off voter weary of the arrogance, corruption and greed that Don Young continues to exhibit.
If this is subtle, wonder what they'll call those much anticipated and hoped for indictments?
I'm tired of the racial bias. We have dual game management for a special class of people specifically because of Stevens and young.
If Young DOES hang on to defeat Parnell, he'll most assuredly lose in the general election in November. If anybody still questions Young's arrogance toward his own constituents, this comment on how he reads the interior and how they voted should end all debate. If you are a Republican, however, you've most likely just lost the seat. Give a good man like Ethan Berkowitz time to put together a campaign directed at exposing Young's corruption and insufferable attitude and he should have no problem finally unseating this now useless politician.
Hey, now, guys-someone really might need Young back in office afterall. I mean, with hurricane season starting, Florida is bound to need another Alaskan-funded multi-million dollar bridge soon. But, it isn't exactly the message I was sending as I voted for Parnell either.
As someone that spent part of my year for ten years at the Fort, Don Young is a disgrace to that town and to the Gwichin people that live there!! He cares nothing about them or Alaskans in general, well, that is unless you are tied to one of his special interest.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.