Democrat Byron Mallott and independent Bill Walker have been meeting since midweek to discuss whether they should merge their gubernatorial campaigns into a bipartisan or nonpartisan unity ticket.

The talks between the candidates and their inner circles are expected to continue through the Labor Day weekend as the Sept. 2 deadline for changes to the November ballot approaches. With recent polling suggesting Republican Gov. Sean Parnell would win a three-way race but face a much tougher challenge against a single candidate, Democrats and Republicans who oppose Parnell have been pushing for months to get Mallott and Walker to join forces.

"Talks are continuing between the Walker and Mallott teams to create a unified ticket and there will be a formal press availability on Tuesday,” said Laury Scandling, spokeswoman for the Mallott campaign. She said that would be the only official statement either side was making Sunday afternoon.

Tom Begich, a high-level Democratic Party volunteer who has been trying to work a Walker-Mallott merger, said Sunday that no deal had yet emerged, but he was hopeful that the two candidates, and each of their candidates for lieutenant governor, could produce a combined ticket by the deadline. He said Walker and Mallott had been meeting since before their debate Thursday in Kodiak on fishing issues.