ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Candidates rallied voters, visited churches and knocked on doors Sunday as they made their final pitches to Alaskans and worked to get voters to the polls.
The two major races on the ballot in Alaska are for U.S. House and governor. But Tuesday’s election also will decide the makeup of the state Legislature.
Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young, who has served in the House since 1973, faces a challenge from independent Alyse Galvin. Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich are vying to succeed independent Gov. Bill Walker.
Walker ended his campaign last month, days after his lieutenant governor resigned over what Walker has called an inappropriate overture to a woman. Walker voted early on Friday and said he voted for Begich.
“I consider I voted for Alaska,” Walker said. He has offered qualified support for Begich, saying Begich’s positions on issues like a state fiscal plan and Medicaid expansion are in line with his. He has said Begich would be better for Alaska than Dunleavy.
Begich visited churches and knocked on doors in Anchorage on Sunday before planning to go to Fairbanks. One of the churches he visited was Shiloh Missionary Baptist, where pastor emeritus Alonzo Patterson told congregants he couldn’t talk politics.
“But we can tell you, when you get into the ballot box, make sure you mark - the ballot,” he said, pausing dramatically between “mark” and “the ballot.” The pause was punctuated by laughter and claps.
Patterson later said it wasn’t a coded message, just a fact: When you vote, you mark the ballot. “It’s unfortunate his name is Mark. But I can’t help that,” he said.
Begich said there is momentum behind his campaign. But he said he worries about voter confusion since Walker’s name remains on the ballot. Walker ended his campaign after the deadline to withdraw had passed.
“I think it gives us even a better chance of winning this race” the more people know that Walker is out, he said. “But it’s going to be a tight race. So those votes could make the difference.”
Meanwhile, Republicans held a rally in Anchorage for legislative candidates and their top-ticket nominees, with Young and Dunleavy greeted by cheers.
Prominent Republicans speaking at the event included U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Gov. Sean Parnell.
Sullivan was elected to the Senate in 2014, after defeating Begich. Parnell was defeated in 2014 by Walker, who was elected with Democratic support.
Lorne Bretz carried a sign with Dunleavy’s face that read: “Dunleavy For Governor” and “I Like Mike.” He said he thinks Dunleavy will be wise with the state’s budget. Dunleavy has advocated for spending reductions and limiting the growth in government.
Parnell said that when he was governor and Dunleavy was a state senator, “I knew I could trust his word.”
Dunleavy said he wants to restore the public’s trust in government.
Meanwhile, Young’s challenger, Galvin, was in the midst of a four-day blitz of events around the state. Her scheduled included events in Juneau.
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For AP’s complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: http://apne.ws/APPolitics
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