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By Alex Murray
JUNEAU, Alaska: Now that his boss has ruled out a 2014 run for the United States Senate, Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R) may be gearing up for his own campaign.
Last Friday, Gov. Sean Parnell (R) announced that he will not challenge incumbent Mark Begich (D) in the 2014 election, and instead will seek re-election. Treadwell cited the announcement as a clearance to a Senate run of his own, as he had stated that he did not want to challenge Parnell in a Republican primary. Conversely, Parnell's re-election bid squelches Treadwell's previous suggestion of a gubernatorial run.[1][2]
Treadwell said that a final decision would likely not come until June. Attorney Joe Miller (R) is also considering a 2014 run for Begich's seat. Miller defeated Senate incumbent Lisa Murkowski in the 2010 Republican primary, but lost to her in the general election after she mounted a successful write-in campaign; Treadwell supported Murkowski both times. The Tea Party Leadership PAC is attempting to draft former governor Sarah Palin (R), who has not addressed the movement or any possible runs for office.[2][3]
Ethan A. Berkowitz (D), who lost to Parnell in 2010, voiced an interest in running for governor again, criticizing Parnell for announcing his re-election bid to a group of Republican women on a Friday night.[1]
Alaska is one of 24 Republican state government trifectas.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Juneau Empire, "Treadwell ramps up for Senate after Parnell announcement," May 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Hill, "Despite ties to Sandy Hook, potential Senate hopeful rejects more gun control," March 23, 2013.
- ↑ Alaska Dispatch, "Parnell rules out a Senate run, Treadwell and others remain coy," May 7, 2013.
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