The Hill: Berkowitz announces run for Don Young’s seat

[Adlai Stevenson]

By Aaron Blake
October 10, 2007

Former Alaska state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz (D) announced his candidacy for the seat of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) on Wednesday, giving Democrats what they hope will be either a strong challenge or enough of a threat to force Young to retire.

Berkowitz was a part of a losing gubernatorial ticket last year, running as former Gov. Tony Knowles’s (D) lieutenant governor nominee. But despite his 10 years in the state House and eight years as a leader, he is only 45 years old and considered a top hope for Democrats in the state.

Young, an 18-term incumbent, was reelected with 57 percent of the vote in 2006 and has since endured growing ethical questions surrounding his fundraising and ties to Veco Corp. Longtime Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has also faced scrutiny in the case.

Young has talked like an incumbent preparing for a reelection bid in recent months.

Berkowitz joins former state Democratic Party Chairman Jake Metcalfe and 2006 Young opponent Diane Benson in the Democratic primary.

“We can make America a stronger force for peace and security in the world. We can develop Alaska’s energy resources – renewables as well as oil and gas – to make vital contributions to America’s energy independence,” Berkowitz said. “And we can restore trust and high ethical standards in our public servants and our government. We can have leaders who make us proud.”

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/berkowitz-announces-run-for-don-youngs-seat-2007-10-10.html

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I guess the Dem bench there in Alaska is really weak.

[Sam Spade]

Well, Young has scandal problems, so the race is probably pretty high on my list now that there's an actual opponent who's not a joke.  Especially if the scandal problems get worse.

But the Alaska Dem bench is pretty weak.  Has been for quite a while.

[MarkWarner08]

Well, Young has scandal problems, so the race is probably pretty high on my list now that there's an actual opponent who's not a joke.  Especially if the scandal problems get worse.

But the Alaska Dem bench is pretty weak.  Has been for quite a while.

Doesn't bench imply something plural?

The AK D farm team basically consists of three people: Tony Knowles, Mark Begich, and Ethan Berkowitz.

Knowles, the enigmatic Yale-educated restaurant owner turned Governor, is now pretty much done will politics. Swingstateproject reports that Begich and Berkowitz are coordinating their efforts. Berkowitz's decision to run for the House paves the way fro a Begich Senate run, which would catapult Alaska into the top of the second tier of Senate races.

Side note: If Trauner had won in 2006, and if Berkowitz wins in 2008, then Alaska and Wyoming, two heavily GOP leaning states, would've both chosen Democratic Jews as their sole Representative in the U.S House.

[Sam Spade]

Well, Young has scandal problems, so the race is probably pretty high on my list now that there's an actual opponent who's not a joke.  Especially if the scandal problems get worse.

But the Alaska Dem bench is pretty weak.  Has been for quite a while.

Doesn't bench imply something plural?

The AK D farm team basically consists of three people: Tony Knowles, Mark Begich, and Ethan Berkowitz.

Knowles, the enigmatic Yale-educated restaurant owner turned Governor, is now pretty much done will politics. Swingstateproject reports that Begich and Berkowitz are coordinating their efforts. Berkowitz's decision to run for the House paves the way fro a Begich Senate run, which would catapult Alaska into the top of the second tier of Senate races.

Side note: If Trauner had won in 2006, and if Berkowitz wins in 2008, then Alaska and Wyoming, two heavily GOP leaning states, would've both chosen Democratic Jews as their sole Representative in the U.S House.

That, of course, is an if, and with good reason.  As long as things like ANWR are still a big issue up there.

[Adlai Stevenson]

State Representative Gabrielle LeDoux announced she will challenge Young in the GOP primary.

http://www.politics1.com/

[AndrewTX]

So, what is Knowles running for in 2008?

[HardRCafé]

Senate.  From Idaho.

[MarkWarner08]

Senate.  From Idaho.

Ha. Ha.