Under pressure to withdraw, Begich reaffirms plan to stay in Alaska governor's race

Source: Anchorage Daily News

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, under pressure from some in his party to withdraw from the Alaska governor's race, said Tuesday that he isn't dropping out.

"Let me make it very clear to the reporters and others: If you want to talk about the process, talk to someone else," he told press and a crowd of cheering supporters at his campaign headquarters in Anchorage. "We are done with that. I'm in the race to win. It's a three-way race, so get used to it."

The Democrat's announcement came about 90 minutes before the state's deadline to withdraw from the Nov. 6 general election.

Begich is facing off against incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, and former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican. Some Democrats have said they're concerned Begich and Walker will split the vote, resulting in a Dunleavy win. Walker is a Republican-turned-independent, who is running again this year with his Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, a Democrat.


Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/2018/09/04/under-pressure-to-withdraw-begich-reaffirms-plan-to-stay-in-alaska-governors-race/

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Sigh!

When Begich got in the race, I contacted DGA, because my recollection had been that Walker was considered an acceptable alternative in 2014 and had only nominal Democratic opposition. DGA told me: "No, we're really supporting a real Democratic candidate this time."