Good news for Anchorage -- Assembly turns left. :-)

[Blue_In_AK]

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/anchorage/city_election/assembly/story/363029.html

The political balance of the Anchorage Assembly swung from right to left Tuesday night as voters elected four new members. Incumbent Paul Bauer, part of the Assembly's conservative majority in recent years, lost to challenger Mike Gutierrez in the East Anchorage race. In another key matchup, self-described progressive Harriet Drummond defeated conservative Sherri Jackson to claim Republican Dan Sullivan's seat in the West.

<snip>

While Assembly seats are considered non-partisan, factions form along party and ideological lines, and Tuesday's election marked a potential shift in leadership. The new lineup includes six candidates who lean to the left -- all are Democrats, as is Mayor Mark Begich -- and five who lean to the right. Previously, conservatives held at least seven of the 11 seats.

<snip>

This new Assembly lineup could hold firm for at least two years. No Assembly seats are planned for next year's ballot, because Anchorage will be selecting a new mayor. Begich is considering a run for the U.S. Senate.

<snip>


WOO-HOO!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause:

[Ken Burch]

1. I didn't know much about Dick Traini, but I knew I hated him

When he responded to his exclusion from the KAKM running show(he was excluded because, at that time, he was considered ineligible to seek another term, prior to a court ruling in his favor later)by saying "that's another reason we shouldn't fund public broadcasting".

Glad to see the changes. Has Traini given up on challenging the election?

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Yes, he did.

He wrote a letter to the editor yesterday saying that he wasn't going to contest, and also there was an article. I'm sure Elvi is breathing easier. :)

[Webmusher]

3. Left of right is still wrong

I don't hold much store with left, right, moderate and the like. If a person is honest and ethical then they should be given a chance to show what they have as long as they have an sincere desire to serve the public interest.
I seriously doubt that Mayor Begich has any higher interests than padding the pockets of Mark Begich.

A lot of people seem to like deriding "Disco Ray" Metcalfe, but his incessant bitching has resulted in a handful of jail terms so far and more certain to come. Mayor Begich should be concentrating his attentions on upgrades for Spring Creek Correctional, where his is likely to be on the State payroll stamping out lic. pl8s for his collusion with John Rubini in screwing the Citizens of Anchorage out of millions while padding his own pockets.

Today Mark Begich will announce that he is running for Ted Steven's Senate seat, which Ray Metcalfe is also running for, I can only imagine what sweet deals Begich will be able to arrange for his "business partners" and contributors with that kind of influence and power.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Ray, is that you?

:)