Election 2018

Opinion: Fish can’t vote yes on Ballot Measure 1, but you can

Opinion: Fish can’t vote yes on Ballot Measure 1, but you can

Vote for the fish on Nov. 6 because they can’t vote for themselves. The foundation of our ecosystem and our economy is salmon. The seafood… Continue reading

Opinion: Fish can’t vote yes on Ballot Measure 1, but you can
Opinion: Finish the ballot

Opinion: Finish the ballot

One of the best-kept secrets of this — or any — Alaska election season is the incredible amount of information that Alaska voters have in… Continue reading

Opinion: Finish the ballot
Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Trauma in Vladivostok turns into Juneau resolve for candidate Sara Hannan

For Sara Hannan, there is a night in Vladivostok that she’ll always remember.

Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)

After Walker quits, governor race now ‘down to the wire’

Mike Dunleavy still leads the race to become Alaska’s next governor, latest poll shows.

Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

For House candidate Andi Story, the secret to success is mobilization

The House District 34 candidate believes making good decisions involves bringing as many ideas into play as possible.

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democratic governor candidate Mark Begich, right, faced each other in their first head-to-head debate just 90 minutes after incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker announced he was suspending his campaign. (Composite image)

Begich, Dunleavy meet in first head-to-head debate

Begich praised Walker’s decision. Dunleavy didn’t say the incumbent’s name.

Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democratic governor candidate Mark Begich, right, faced each other in their first head-to-head debate just 90 minutes after incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker announced he was suspending his campaign. (Composite image)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker abandons election

Incumbent independent throws support behind Democratic candidate Mark Begich.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)

State seeks poll workers in village that failed to vote

The Alaska Division of Elections is seeking poll workers in a Yukon River village that failed to turn in any ballots for the August statewide… Continue reading

A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)
Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Quiet start to early voting

Byron Mallott is usually one of the first early voters when polls open at the State Office Building. This year, the first person in line… Continue reading

Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens today

Juneau voters don’t have to wait until the Nov. 6 General Election to cast ballots. Starting today, they can do so during business hours at… Continue reading

Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Galvin campaign comes to Juneau on eve of early voting

Before the start of her town hall meeting, Alyse Galvin led her audience in a team-building exercise. “I’m going to need everyone to move about… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Jesse Kiehl, running as a Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

For Alaska Senate, Kiehl promotes experience and connections

Jesse Kiehl has worked in the Alaska Senate for 18 years. Now, he’s trying to become a senator. During a year in which none of… Continue reading

Jesse Kiehl, running as a Democrat for state Senate District Q, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this July 28, 2018, photo, Alyse Galvin addresses a group of volunteers in Anchorage, Alaska, before they set out to campaign door-to-door on her behalf. Galvin is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young in the Nov. 6 Election Day. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Opinion: Vote Galvin for a new ‘Alyse on life’

Alaska’s population is the most spread out of all the fifty states at one person per square mile. We are diverse, and we are separated… Continue reading

In this July 28, 2018, photo, Alyse Galvin addresses a group of volunteers in Anchorage, Alaska, before they set out to campaign door-to-door on her behalf. Galvin is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young in the Nov. 6 Election Day. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Andi Story is the best choice for schools

I met Andi Story the first time my family and I attended Northern Light Church. I chose this church because of its strong commitment to… Continue reading

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Pennn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Door to door, Nankervis seeks understanding in House District 34

Walking from house to house during his legislative campaign, Jerry Nankervis faces a perpetual guessing game. When the door opens, will it be someone he… Continue reading

Assembly member and legislative candidate Jerry Nankervis chairs a public safety committee meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigns

Gov. Walker describes comments to AP an ‘inappropriate overture to a woman.’

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Video

Gov. Bill Walker’s Juneau backers still support him after Mallott’s resignation

Mallott resigned. Now what?

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during an interview in his Capitol office on April 13, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
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Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Déjà vu all over again?

The Democratic mantra demonizing Republicans as racist misogynists doesn’t bring us closer — it only divides us further.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich debate during a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chris Dimond, running as an independent for state House District 33, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dimond in the rough: District 33 candidate talks about triumph over alcohol addiction

Chris Dimond remembers the moment he realized he was an alcoholic.

Chris Dimond, running as an independent for state House District 33, talks about his campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Scott Jepsen, Vice President of External Affairs & Transportation for ConocoPhillips, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Conoco VP speaks against ballot measure at Chamber

A representative of oil giant ConocoPhillips voiced opposition to Ballot Measure 1 at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday. Ballot Measure 1, known… Continue reading

Scott Jepsen, Vice President of External Affairs & Transportation for ConocoPhillips, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)