As I’ve so often pointed out, Alaska is an odd place, politically.
The Last Frontier is a red state for the most part, although it’s not a red state in the same sense that Texas or Alabama are red states. Alaska has a strong libertarian bent; Alaskans are, by and large, some of the most “mind your own business and leave me alone” people you’re liable to find anywhere.
But the legislature, while technically dominated by Republicans, is still on the squishy side. And, thanks to ranked-choice voting, we have a Democrat representing us in Congress – and, of course, there’s the issue of Princess Lisa Murkowski.
Presidential politics here in the Great Land, though, are more decided. The last time Alaska sent its electoral votes to a Democrat was in 1964 when in the second election after statehood, the people voted for Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater.
Now, though, Bloomberg is asking the unthinkable: Could Kamala Harris win Alaska?
Here’s what they get badly wrong:
There are sparks of enthusiasm for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, whose Carhartt-and-camo appeal resonates in a state of 734,000 people scattered across a land area more than twice the size of Texas. Jessica Cook, the vice chair of the state Democratic party, said President Joe Biden’s decision to step down and endorse Harris sent a jolt of energy through the state. Some of her fellow teachers wear pearls and Chucks sneakers to school in a subtle tribute to Harris’ signature style. Cook says she hears people quoting Walz, suggesting that even the vice presidential candidate has made an impression.
Wait, what? Tim “Great Walz of China” has “Carhartt-and-camo appeal?”
Any such appeal from Tim Walz is as phony as a three-dollar bill, and that’s just pathetically obvious. And Kamala Harris, with her phony claims of owning a Glock, and her past pronouncements on gun bans? If there is one thing that is the kiss of death in Alaska politics, it’s being anti-Second Amendment.
As I’m fond of pointing out, here in the Valley even the hippies have guns, know how to use them, and aren’t about to give them up.
Presidential polling in Alaska is scarce, partly because the population is sparse, but mostly because it’s taken for granted that Alaska’s going red. Here’s where the sparse polling in Alaska stands as of this writing:
- Alaska Survey Research, Sept 27-29: Trump +9
- Alaska Survey Research, Sept 11-12: Trump +5
- Cygnal, Aug 30-Sept 1: Trump +10
There are polls before that time, but those reflect Trump vs. Biden, not Trump vs. Harris.
And yes, these are pretty solid numbers for the Trump/Vance ticket. Bear in mind that our Democrat Congressman, Mary Peltola, is in the fight of her political life against Republican Nick Begich III, with that race tied – for the moment.
See Related: The House in the Balance? Alaska’s At-Large Race Is Now Neck-and-Neck
Ranked-Choice Repeal Upheld: Alaska Supreme Court Rules, Issue to Be on November Ballot
Ranked-choice voting, arguably, put Mary Peltola in that seat – and allowed Princess Lisa to keep hers. But a repeal of ranked-choice voting is on the ballot this year, as well. With a bit of luck, we’ll ditch that bad idea.
So, relax. Alaska’s three Electoral College votes won’t go to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. And with a bit of luck and good turnout, we’ll send Mary Peltola back to Bethel – and get rid of ranked-choice voting in the bargain.
