(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - In what is described as an unprecedented move by their campaigns, Independent candidate for Governor William M. “Bill” Walker and Democratic candidate for Governor Byron Mallott announced they have formed a joint ticket for the Novermber ballot.

In a letter Monday, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell was informed that The Walker/Fleener, Mallott/French campaigsn have merged to form a Walker/Mallott ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor respectively. Upon the resignation of Byron Mallott as the Decomcratic nominee for Governor, Walker designated him as the Lt. Governor candidate and his running mate.Walker and Mallott requested that an emergency regulation be adopted to allow for this to occur. The letter requested their names appear on the November ballot as" Bill Walker (Non-Affiliated) Governor, Byron Mallott (Non-Affiliated) Lt. Governor.

The Walker and Mallott campaigns said this is an historic moment in Alaska and a momentous decision. In a prepared statement Walker and Mallott stated, "We understand that the decision to form a combined team is unusual. But this is not about any one person. This is not about any one party. This is about putting aside partisanship and putting Alaska first."

The decision was made to form a joint independent ticket after meetings with their running mates, Senator Hollis French and Craig Fleener, their families, and other key advisers. By joining together on an independent ticket, decisions will be based on what is best for Alaska, not what is best for any political party, individual or interest group.

Quoting a news release, "Without the selfless actions of two highly qualified and dedicated Alaskans, Senator French and Craig Fleener, this step could not have been taken."

Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell reviewed the request with the Alaska Department of Law and announced Tuesday the Division of Elections accepted the withdrawals of Byron Mallott as the Democratic candidate for Governor, Hollis French as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Craig Fleener as Walker’s original running mate by petition.

Treadwell’s decision was in response the request from the four candidates for an emergency regulation which authorizes Mallott as a candidate for lieutenant governor. Treadwell issued the regulation based on the advice of Attorney General Michael Geraghty and the Department of Law. A precedent for this case was set during the 2006 gubernatorial election, and was based on opinions of the Department of Law dating back to 1982.

The law clearly sets out a procedure for political parties to designate candidates after the withdrawal of another candidate, but does not state a procedure for independent candidates, who reach the ballot by petition, to do the same. The emergency regulation adopted Tuesday outlines the procedure.

Leading up to the August primary, several polls showed that Walker was the only candidate within striking distance of the incumbent governor. Following the primary, a poll conducted by Hays Research showed that Walker was several percentage points ahead of Parnell in a two way race. However, in a 3-way race, Parnell would likely be reseated for a third term which we both strongly believe would be detrimental to Alaska.

Since the primary, both the Walker and Mallott campaigns have been flooded with emails and calls urging us to join forces. An online petition signed by many Alaskans also called for a joint campaign.

The Walker and Mallot campaigns recognized that absent a collaborative effort between the four candidates, deficit spending would continue while priorities such as education, affordable energy, and building our state and economy would again be overlooked for the next four years.

In a joint prepared statement, Walker and Mallott stated, "We are confident that our decision to forge ahead as a team is in the best interest of the state we love deeply. We both believe that Alaska is on the wrong course. We both believe that there is a great deal at stake if we cannot change current leadership. We both believe that our combined ticket is a strong and balanced partnership that is the best choice for moving Alaska forward."

In response to news that Walker and Mallott have joined tickets, Governor Sean Parnell, who is running for reelection, said in a prepared statement yesterday, “The Democrat gubernatorial ticket of Walker-Mallott offers a clear choice for Alaskans who want more of President Obama’s policies in Alaska.”

Governor Parnell who is running as a Republican candidate said. “For those who want more freedom, less government, and more economic opportunity, the Parnell-Sullivan ticket is the clear choice. I have consistently fought for Alaskans and pushed back on Obama’s policies in Alaska. Parnell-Sullivan will continue to run a campaign focused on building a stronger Alaska with more jobs, more opportunities in education, continued work on a gas pipeline, and safer communities.”

Walker responded to Governor Parnell's comments today in a prepared statement saying, "This campaign season has been riddled with divisive politics pitting neighbors, friends, and family members against one another. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent filling our airwaves, mailboxes, front yards, and back bumpers with messages that all too often attack and wound for the sake of these partisan battles."

"Alaskans have had enough of this bickering. We need to heal relationships that have been damaged this election cycle. It is time to set aside these differences, find our common ground, and build upon it to grow a strong, united Alaska," said Walker in a prepared statement.

Walker spokesperson Lindsay Hobson noted today, "Not only are these attacks unfounded, but they serve as a distraction from the real issues facing Alaska. Partisan attacks have no place in the Walker/Mallott campaign or in their future administration. These non-partisan candidates remain focused on resolving the critical issues facing Alaskans. "

Ballots for the November general election are scheduled to go to the printer this week.

On the Web:

Sept. 01, 2014 Request for Replacement of Lt. Governor Candidate on Ballott
http://ltgov.alaska.gov/treadwell_media/resources_files/
2014_09_02_Walker-Mallot_emergency_reg_request.pdf

Edited by Mary Kauffman

Source of News: 

Office of Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell
www.ltgov.state.ak.us

Parnell / Sullivan Campaign 2014
http://www.parnell2014.com

Walker / Mallott Campaign 2014
http://www.walkerforalaska.com

 

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Ketchikan, Alaska

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