Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)                                Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) on Friday, May 11, 2018 in the Alaska House of Representatives. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority) Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) on Friday, May 11, 2018 in the Alaska House of Representatives. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Walker makes second legislative endorsement

Governor backs independent Jason Grenn for Sand Lake seat

Gov. Bill Walker has endorsed Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage, for his second legislative endorsement of the 2018 general election.

Walker’s first endorsement was of Juneau independent Chris Dimond, who is running against Democratic candidate Sara Hannan to replace Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, in House District 33.

In an emailed statement, the Grenn campaign said Walker walked door to door in Anchorage’s Sand Lake neighborhood together Thursday night.

Grenn, who is one of only two sitting independents in the Legislature, faces a tough re-election fight against Republican Sara Rasmussen and perennial candidate Dustin Darden, who is running as a Democrat.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.


More in Home

Axel Baumann films and Max Osadchenko captures sounds of Juneau Alaska Music Matters students performing a “Gratitude” concert at the Sealaska Heritage Institute Clan House on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event was a wrapup performance after the film crew followed JAMM participants for two weeks as part of a feature-length documentary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Filmmakers seek to share cultural lessons of Juneau Alaska Music Matters with a wider audience

Crew spends two weeks with students after following similar program in Texas for full-length documentary.

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman Bella Connally, Ketchikan senior Clara Odden and Sitka junior Adalyna Moore race to the finish of the 4x100 relay during the Capital City Invitational Track & Field Meet in Juneau on April 26. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
JDHS track team rises in the rain to challenge at Sitka

Crimson Bears compete with defending state champs Wolves.

State Sen. Forrest Dunbar (D-Anchorage) speaks during a candlelight vigil Wednesday at the Alaska State Capitol by participants calling upon federal lawmakers not to cut Medicaid funding (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Proposed Medicaid cuts in Alaska: A protest, a Senate resolution and where things currently stand

Some Republicans in D.C. balk at full $880B reduction; work requirements, other trims still in play.

Republicans have toiled under House Speaker Mike Johnson to find $880 billion in savings over a decade and assemble a number of cuts large enough to meet that goal. (Tierney L. Cross / For The New York Times)
Republicans propose paring Medicaid coverage, but steer clear of deeper cuts

House panel’s plan would still leave millions without health coverage or facing higher costs.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears softball team pose with their third-place trophy Saturday at the 2025 Blue & Gold Softball Tournament in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy JDHS softball)
Crimson Bears place third in Blue & Gold play

JDHS gets taste of possible state tournament matchups.

A collage of the flood inundation maps shows eight feet without barriers, 16 feet with barriers, 18 feet with barriers, and 20 feet without barriers. The study by Michael Baker International considers the Mendenhall River’s changed topography. (Maps provided by City and Borough of Juneau)
Updated flood-fighting inundation maps show effectiveness of HESCO barriers

Maps show worst-case scenarios, future flood potential continues to be studied.

A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)
Conservation group lawsuit seeks to speed listing of Alaska king salmon under Endangered Species Act

Lawsuit asks a judge to order national fisheries service to “promptly issue” decision on petition

A drill rig at the Palmer deposit in the Chilkat River valley near Haines. (Lex Treinen/Chilkat Valley News)
A contentious mining project in SE Alaska just changed hands. Its new owner already wants to sell.

Opponents are celebrating the news as a setback for the Palmer Project near Haines.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior first baseman Riley Fick (22) attempts to catch an errant throw as Petersburg senior Brian Peterson (7) runs out a hit during the Crimson Bears’ 12-7 win over the Vikings on Friday at Mort Fryer Ball Park in Petersburg. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas sweeps road games at Petersburg

Crimson Bears best Vikings in rainy two-game series.

Most Read