On Aug. 27, 1986, Alaska’s fate was decided: Democratic candidate for governor, Steve Cowper, pushed incumbent Gov. Bill Sheffield out from the Democrat’s bid. The former lawyer from Fairbanks won the Democratic primary at 24.3 percent, with Sheffield following closely behind at 17.8 percent. Four years earlier, Sheffield had beat Cowper by just 259 votes in the primary, but a combination of unwelcome scandals and budgetary decisions made during Sheffield’s tenure pushed many Alaskans to Cowper en masse.
Juneau residents voted in favor of the Republican party, putting candidates Don Young and Frank Murkowski in front of the polls for U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, respectfully. During the primary elections, Alaskans were also asked whether they would support a worldwide freeze on production of nuclear arms, and 63.8 percent of Juneau voters voted that they would.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire freelancer Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
