AK-AL: Harry Crawford (D) Will Challenge Young

From Roll Call:

Alaska state Rep. Harry Crawford (D) announced Wednesday that he will challenge 19-term Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) next year.

"I'm not a partisan politician and I won't play political games," Crawford said in a statement. "Here in Alaska I have worked with Republicans and Democrats, reaching across the aisle to get things done. And in Washington, I'll continue to be the independent voice our state needs."

Crawford visited Washington, D.C., earlier this year to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee about a bid against Young. The committee targeted Young last cycle, but he squeaked out a victory despite being heavily favored to lose his seat last November.

Crawford will face long odds in accomplishing what former State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz failed to do last cycle, but he's a legit challenger and will at least keep Young on his toes. (As the Politico notes, Crawford beat an incumbent GOP leader to win his current seat in 2000.) And, hey, there's always a chance that an indictment could spring upon the heavily-investigated Young.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/5475/akal-harry-crawford-d-will-challenge-young

I myself have for a state legislator one of these corrupt assholes who's been in office for 30+ years. They need to be gotten rid of.

and he will have a far better chance against Don Young than Ethan Berkowitz did. Ethan had little popularity outside of Anchorage and little appeal to the "working man," whereas Harry Crawford is a strong labor supporter.

In fact, Don may not run again. He always said that he would keep campaigning as long as his wife Lu wanted him to, but since she just passed away a few weeks ago, he may not have the heart for it. They were married over 50 years, and she was his life. Whatever else one might say about Don Young, he was very devoted to his spouse.

Here's a little info on Crawford: http://www.akdemocrats.org/index.php?con_id=3