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Friday, May 26, 2006

AK-Gov: Murkowski To Run For Re-Election

Posted by RBH

The field in Alaska gets slightly more certain

Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski this morning declared his intention to seek re-election, saying he wanted to continue the work on advancing a North Slope natural gas pipeline.

“The gas line is certainly the No. 1 priority of my administration,” Murkowski told the morning crowd.

In an e-mail message distributed from the governor’s personal e-mail account, Murkowski says he returned to Alaska from Washington, D.C. “to get Alaska moving again.”

But, when it comes to this race, there's one thing which will work against Murkowski, his low job approval rating. Ok, "low job approval rating" is being generous.

According to SurveyUSA, His job approval rating is 23%. His job approval rating has been "moving again", moving down to 29% in April. Murkowski's highest job approval number in the last year on SUSA was 34%.

And 35% of Republicans approve of Murkowski's job performance.

With a poll number like that, it's no wonder that Murkowski has a primary opponent that wants his job. But, Murkowski could make it though his primary using the power of name recognition. But, he may end up with a very low primary percentage.

The two Democrats running are Ethan Berkowitz and Eric Croft. I think Tony Knowles is still a rumored candidate. I don't know who is in front of the two candidates mentioned.

I think that Alaska is the hidden opportunity for Democrats this fall. Especially if Murkowski wins re-nomination.

Posted at 01:27 PM in 2006 Elections - State, Alaska | Technorati

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Comments

Incredibly Democrats have held the Alaska governorship for 27 years vs 20 yrs Gop (since 1959).
If Murkowski wins nomination, it is looking good as a Dem pick-up.
The phenomenon of small red states with Dem Govs and large blue states with Gop Govs is interesting. And NY and hopefully CA & FL will be changing that pattern this year.
I believe Rendell will hold PA, Hatch will win MN and Ohio will go to Strickland.

Posted by: Predictor at May 26, 2006 01:59 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Democrats seem to have shots in all of the largest states this time around. California hopeing we can beat Arnold. In Texas we have a shot in that 4 way race. In New York it is almost certain we will win. In FL Davis and Smith have a strong shot. In PA Rendell is probibly going to be reelected. In Illinois Blago. will have to fight for it but he can win. In Ohio Strickland has leads so far. In Michigan Granholm is fighting for her political life but she still has a strong chance of being reelected. In Georgia Cox is closeing in on Perdue allthough he still holds a big lead.

Posted by: D in FL. at May 26, 2006 03:18 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment