The Mayoral Race from Election Central
8 04 2009We have a runoff. On May 5, Alaskans will have a very clear choice for mayor between conservative candidate Dan Sullivan and progressive Eric Croft. I almost didn’t want to go down to election central last night. If Sullivan had managed to pull of 45% of the vote, it would have all been over right then and there. But, I sucked it up and went anyway.
~~~Two time congressional candidate Diane Benson (D) was there at Election Central. Would the third time be a charm?
The atmosphere at the Dena’ina Center was less than festive. I suppose I was spoiled after the big November 4th celebration at the Egan Center. But, with a scant 25% voter turnout, what can you expect?
And I’m getting really irritated at whatever technology (or lack thereof) is used at these events. The “big screen” was in perpetual malfunction, just as it was in November. So, the first numbers I saw were actually on the TV screen that was broadcasting channel 2. It was apparent right away that this was going to be close. Wine was in order.
I grabbed my $6.75 third of a cup of wine and headed back to watch the on again off again screen. But, alas, the way was blocked by a gentleman who told me that I could leave the roped-in area, but the wine could not. So, yes, the red wine was chugged more quickly than it should have been.
~~~Mayoral candidate and acting mayor Matt Claman on camera.
The Honeman fans were the first to arrive. Then Monegan. The numbers weren’t changing much. Sullivan 42%, Croft 19%, Selkregg 16%, Monegan 10%, Claman 6%, Honeman 5%. The big disappointments were Selkregg, who was within close striking distance of the coveted #2 spot, and Claman who, as acting Mayor had hoped for a better result.
Dan Sullivan’s crew, who came across the street from the bar which Sullivan partly owns, made a rowdy entrance. Periodic masculine shouts of “Dan the Man!” were heard from somewhere in the middle of the crowd. Sullivan himself looked….what’s the word….entitled. He just throws off a weird vibe. I felt it in every Assembly meeting I sat through when he was a member, and nothing had changed.
"Dan the Man"
It was clear right away that the school bonds would not pass. That just kills me. Superintendant of Schools Carol Comeau was there, and obviously disappointed too.
(Pretend there’s a lovely picture of Carol Comeau here. I took a picture of her, but it was one she would thank me for not posting. My bad.)
I kept looking at the time, waiting for the others to arrive to dilute the big sea of red and black Sullivan signs. Finally the blue and yellow Croft signs made their appearance, followed by Selkregg.
~~Our next mayor, Eric Croft
And speaking of weird vibes, lo and behold, the infamous Eddie Burke was there supporting “Dan the Man”. You’ll remember Eddie Burke as the conservative radio talk show host that called the “Alaskan Women Against Palin” rally organizers “a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots” and then gave out their home phone numbers on the air. I decided to take his picture only because I got him in the same frame as Sheila Selkregg, and it seemed like an iconic study of good vs. evil. He’s even in a black hat.
~~~Sheila on left, Eddie on right. You may never see this again.
Soon after, all the precincts were in and the numbers held. I had a nice talk with Walt and Terry Monegan, and while we were chatting, someone walked by with a giant mass of balloons. One of them brushed against a sign, and popped louder than any balloon pop I’d ever heard in my life. I, being one of those ridiculously jumpy people, almost came out of my skin. I was talking to Walt at the time, who remained completely unmoved, and quietly said “Shots fired.” and looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. Meanwhile my heart was pounding like a drum and I had that metallic adrenaline taste in my mouth. “God, I’d make a bad cop,” I thought.
Soon after, the lights came up all the way and it was time to go. We saw the Croft family leaving, kids in tow, carrying signs and balloons, and looking happy and tired. It’s a shame that so many good candidates were disappointed, but Claman and Selkregg will go back to do good work on the Assembly, ensuring that the current balance of power remains. And after talking with Walt Monegan, I cannot help but feel confident that we haven’t seen the last of him. The cream always rises to the top.
~~~Terry and Walt Monegan
April 8th, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Here’s hoping we get enough Croft supporters out for the May 5 runoff. All our out-of-state students really need to get their absentee ballots in for this one. Good luck Eric!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:22 PM
What a great report, and if I lived there, I would certainly be voting for Eric to be mayor!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:32 PM
So nice to have you bringing those real live faces to us out here in the deep dark forest.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
AKM, is there any way we can help to get out the vote?
April 8th, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Lets hope and work for CROFT!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:04 PM
You got me laughing pretty good with the “shots fired” part of the story! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have someone with such a steady hand at the helm!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:08 PM
I don’t live in Anchorage, but I want Monegan! I know he didn’t make the runoff, but I want Monegan!
April 8th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
I am not from Alaska so I have no idea about the Anchorage demographics and WHY there is a 25% turnout. Does it increase one the Final vote is taken…?
If it is IN Anchorage… people must be able to get to the polls. Is it just apathy?
If the Dems could get a 10% total increase in the total numbers and the progressives decide to go all for the Eric Croft…. it seems like they could win.
All those 10% + 11%+ 9%+ 15%… it is now all most even.
What if EVERY progressive blog told the people (with the SAME message) they MUST vote and start the campaign starting tomorrow.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Did AKM see Doogan any where at Election Central?
April 8th, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Thanks AKM, as usual you have provided us with a story about humanity, a sort of injustice and humor in what I know felt like a dire situation. It was you during the presidential election who got me up off my a$$ to knock on doors and invite like minded people in my home to make phone calls, write post cards and letters to support Senator Barack Obama, (now our President) . Now I ask you as a lower 48 citizen what can I do to help Croft get elected? Please let me know. I have six adult children who were instrumental in helping me to carry out the tasks to get President Barack Obama elected who will contribute. In fact, my next to oldest daughter who is a Realtor also gave party at her house to promote President Obama and karma was definitely working. Some successful jewelers who own jewelry stores all over the United States showed up at her Obama party and now, even in this recession, she met the jewelers and they got together and had her to look for income property they wanted to invest in. (How lucky is that)? She has sold them three houses and is managing them. They want ten altogether. The other five children support us in this political effort. So, what ever you want us to do to help get Croft elected, just let us know and we will comply. Thanks AKM for being informative, intellectual and fair. We heart you, so please let us know what we can do?
April 9th, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Adding to my #8 post.
Does the Democratic Party have phone numbers of all the registered Democrats? (names in a database like Obama did)
Here in CA they knew Obama would take the State. There was no doubt and they never worried about it. Therefore, The day before the Election the Congressional Districts campaign office had us calling people on the phones to get people to come out and vote. BUT… we called NOBODY in CA. There were a couple hundred people in just this one Campaign office. We called Ohio first, till it got to late to call around dinnertime. Next time zone, Missouri. Next, Colorado.
Just volunteers asking if they knew where the polling place was, who they were voting for… etc. Non stop calling from the phone banks to get the vote out.
Does Croft have Campaign volunteers to do this kind of work?
April 9th, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Once again AKM – GREAT POST – from a long time (pre-Palin nom) reader but rare contributor to the comments, although I read those as well. It is invaluable for us to have someone attend these events & report not only on the factual information, but also on the minutiae that usually goes unnoticed. Sheilla Selkregg & Eddie Burke as an “iconic study of good vs. evil” is straight out of central casting.
Although I live in Meadow Lakes and could not vote for mayor, I assumed that ANC would have a much higher turnout. There was a lot of radio time in particular devoted to this race but I guess that does not always translate into votes.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign:
April 8th, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Re: Monegan…….my intuition says he has his sights on being governor, not INO. As AKM said, “And after talking with Walt Monegan, I cannot help but feel confident that we haven’t seen the last of him. The cream always rises to the top.”
April 9th, 2009 at 1:18 AM
mwThatOne.. Says:
April 9th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Monegan…….my intuition says he has his sights on being governor, not INO.
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That’s funny, my intuition says the complete reverse.
My intuition tells me there will be a role for him in Anchorage very soon.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:50 AM
“I grabbed my $6.75 third of a cup of wine and headed back to watch the on again off again screen.”
Yikes! I hope it came out of a 750 ml bottle.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:35 AM
So It’s Croft vs. Sullivan. How about a big fundraiser for Croft mudflatters? How about sign waving every week until the election on some busy street corners? What else can we do? Lets get it together.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:26 PM
“Entitled” – that is it! “Weird vibe”, so simple yet so right on! Someone asked if it is apathy that causes the low voter turnout…yes that is it. Shameful for our city. It will hopefully increase for the runoff. Such a shame the props failed as well. Pitiful.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Since Alaska doesn’t want Walt Monegan, can Florida have him? We really really need him. He could run for Senator – oh my. That would be wonderful. Please?????