Republican incumbent Don Young has set his debate schedule with independent challenger Alyse Galvin.
According to information released Monday by Young’s campaign, he will appear at an Anchorage Chamber of Commerce debate Sept. 17 in Anchorage, a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce forum Oct. 16 in Fairbanks, and on the statewide Alaska Public Media and KTUU Debate for the State Oct. 26. The last of the three events will be broadcast statewide on television and on public radio.
Galvin schedules Juneau events
Galvin, Young’s principal challenger in the Nov. 6 general election, will appear from 4-6 p.m. Friday for a “town-hall-style coffee and conversation” at 60 Degrees North Coffee and Tea in the Wharf building on Egan Drive. That event will be followed by a campaign fundraiser at the home of Stan and Amy Lujan, 3145 Pioneer Avenue. The fundraiser is scheduled to last until 8 p.m.
Labor council announces endorsements
The Juneau Central Labor Council on Sept. 9 announced its endorsements for the 2018 municipal election. For Mayor, the council endorses Beth Weldon. For the areawide assembly seat, the council picked Carole Triem. For Assembly District 1, the council selected Loren Jones. For Assembly District 2, the council picked Emil Mackey and Michelle Bonnet Hale.
“We appreciate every candidate for their willingness to serve their community and bring forward their ideas for public safety, education, and economic development. We extend our best wishes to your efforts and we thank you for your time,” the council said in a prepared statement.
Anchorage police union backs Begich
On Sept. 5, the Anchorage Police Department employees Association announced that it has endorsed Mark Begich for governor. In an email, the APDEA said it chose Begich “because he is the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to address this rise in crime.”
APDEA represents more than 500 employees at the Anchorage Police Department and is independent of any larger labor union.
‘Crystal Ball’ update
Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the election prognosticating service run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Sept. 6 that Alaska’s governor’s race now leans Republican instead of being a toss-up.
The Crystal Ball ratings have been published since before the 2002 elections and are one of the most reliable publicly available nonpartisan analyses of governor races in the United States.
Though Republicans have won fewer three-way Alaska gubernatorial races than Democrats or third parties, the Crystal Ball rating reflects the polling lead of Republican Mike Dunleavy. It cautions that “there may be more twists and turns to come.”
Weldon hosts two events
Beth Weldon, candidate for Juneau Mayor, will host a pair of meet-and-greet events this week. The first takes place 5-6 p.m. Thursday at the Island Pub in Douglas. Donuts, soda and snacks will be provided, according to the event notice.
At 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Weldon will host another meet-and-greet event at Nugget Alaskan Outfitter in the Mendenhall Mall. Donuts and coffee will be served, according to the event notice.
Weldon backed by police union
On Sept. 9, Weldon announced she had received the endorsement of the Juneau Police Department Employee Association. The endorsement was presented by Sterling Salisbury, president of the organization that represents Juneau’s police officers.
Tabachnick has batch of events
Saralyn Tabachnick, candidate for Juneau Mayor, has a series of events scheduled in the coming week. At 5 p.m. Wednesday night, Natalie Norberg, Dee Pearson and Tabachnick supporters will host a fundraiser at 3500 Stream Court.
At 5 p.m. Thursday, the Wellspring Medical Center, 2231 Jordan Ave., will host a meet and greet with the candidate. That is followed by another fundraiser, 4:30-6 p.m. Friday at 1760 Capital View Ct. The Friday event is hosted by Paul Voelckers and Mary Pat Wyatt.
Michelle Hale meetup
Sally Saddler and Virginia Stonkus are hosting a meet-and-greet for Assembly candidate Michelle Hale at 5 p.m. Thursday at 1780 Glacier Highway.
Chris Dimond event
Chris Dimond, the independent candidate for House District 33, will appear at a meet and greet at 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the home of Kristen and Darwin Peterson, 3261 Pioneer Avenue.
The event will be a casual affair with food, beverages and cupcakes courtesy of Dreamchaser Sweets.
• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.
