Posted on 05/26/2006 12:24:26 PM PDT by AntiGuv
Republican Gov. Frank H. Murkowski of Alaska announced today that he would seek a second term, ending months of speculation. The announcement comes just days before the state's June 1 filing deadline.
“He has a lot of unfinished business to do,” said Murkowski's deputy press secretary Will Vandergriff, adding that the governor hopes to improve education and state services in a second term.
Alaska's political establishment had been waiting on Murkowski's announcement, which was originally expected in January, for months. He is seen as vulnerable despite the strong Republican leanings of Alaska’s largely conservative electorate — and his own track record, which included a 22-year U.S. Senate tenure prior to his 2002 election as governor. Murkowski’s term in Juneau has been shaky, leaving him with weak public approval ratings.
The delay in the announcement did not spare Murkowski any competition — two Republicans have already announced plans to run against him in the Aug. 22 primary. On the Democratic side, there are strong rumblings that former Gov. Tony Knowles may seek a comeback by running for the office he won in 1994 and 1998. Knowles retained his high profile by staging a competitive 2004 Senate bid that he lost by 3 percentage points to the current governor's daughter, appointed Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
The Alaska press has been reporting rumors of former Governor Tony Knowles contacting supporters to decide how to time an announcement.
ping!
Why, does he have another daughter he wants to appoint to betray conservatives?
This is just my own personal, correct opinion, but I don't think he'll be re-elected............GO SARAH!!!!!!!
Either he goes of his own accord or feet-first, but he's going. Loren Leman needs to jump ship and run against Frank.
While I agree with much that he has done, I don't think he has a chance. This is a case of egotism trumping pragmatism.
Sarah Palin is running against him in the primary, I assume?
Watta shock, a sitting Gov wanting to stay in power!!!
I will decide who else to vote for soon, I dont think Frank will make it past the primary.
blech
She's running...............
Every once in a while I see a person with a "Frank" with the K crossed out. I know a left wing nut bag had it for the last election, but I like the idea of crossing out ol' Franky boy. His daughter can kiss it goodbye too.
Oh, great, ANOTHER ONE!
Bob Ney, Katherine Harris, Conrad Burns, and Frank Murkowski are the four horse-persons of electoral apololypse.
There are so many unpopular, unviable candidates undermining GOP changes in otherwise winnable races, FR should have a special ping list for them.
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