Legislature Heats Up in Last Weeks of Session
The 2008 session of the Alaska State Legislature ends on April 19, but things are just heating up over Ted Stevens' dismissed indictment and the State Senate pick for Juneau.
By: Randi Spray
On Wed. April 1, it was announced that the Justice Department is going to dismiss Senator Stevens' indictment. Stevens was convicted nine days before the 2008 election on seven charges of failing to disclose gifts. Democrat Mark Begich won the Senate seat. The announcement has lead to a collective sigh of relief by Alaskans.
However, because of the controversial nature and timing of the conviction, Governor Sarah Palin and members of the GOP have called for Sen. Begich to step down and allow for re-elections. They claim that the 2008 elections were biased by an unfair prosecution and that the only fair action is a do-over.
Begich refused, stating that he entered the senatorial race before the Stevens controversy and was elected "because Alaskans were looking for change and a senator as independent as Alaska."
Many other high profile Alaskan politicians such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young have commented—in light of the Justice Department's announcement—that while the 2008 elections are regrettable, they are over.
Sen. Begich also plays an important role nationally, giving the democratic party the 58th seat out of 60 needed for a filibuster proof majority.
At the same time, Gov. Palin's replacement for State Senator Kim Elton has been rejected by the Senate. Elton was a democrat and represented Juneau, so another Juneau Democrat is needed to replace him. It falls under the Governor's duties to choose. Members of the Senate suggested Rep. Beth Kerttula, but Palin backed Tim Gussendorf, who changed his political party in order to be eligible.
Meanwhile, the session is drawing rapidly to a close and Juneau is going unrepresented.
Both of these events seem to reflect party politics more than an honest quest for the right leadership. After the 2008 elections, the GOP deflated nationwide. Alaska's typically a Republican state, and Stevens, a Republican, has represented Alaska for 40 years.
With party dominance changing nationwide, it seems reasonable that the Alaskan Republicans would want to replace Begich, who's playing such a key democratic role.
On the other side, the Democrats, who make up half of the State Senate, obviously want the best proven Democrat for the job rather than someone who changed parties for eligibility and could potentially change the nature of the whole senate.
