Alaska Democratic Party
| Alaska Democratic Party | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Michael Wenstrup |
| House leader | Beth Kerttula |
| Headquarters | Anchorage, Alaska |
| Ideology |
American liberalism Progressivism Center-left |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Colors | Blue, Red |
| Seats in the Upper House |
7 / 20 |
| Seats in the Lower House |
14 / 40 |
| Website | |
| www.alaskademocrats.org | |
|
Politics of the United States Political parties Elections | |
The Alaska Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of Alaska, headquartered in Anchorage.
It is one of the two major parties in Alaska. Following the elections of 2008, Democrats hold no statewide executive offices.
At the federal level, Democrats hold one of the U.S. Senate seats.
The state's most prominent Democrat is its junior U.S. Senator Mark Begich, the former Mayor of Anchorage who narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Ted Stevens in 2008. Other notable Democrats from Alaska include former Governor Tony Knowles. Currently there are over 75,000 registered members of the Alaska Democratic Party.[1]
History
Democrat Barack Obama received 37.89 percent of the total statewide vote in Alaska and lost the state to Republican John McCain in 2008, who selected former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. In 2012, President Obama lost the state to Republican Mitt Romney yet increased his percentage of the statewide vote to 40.81%.
No Democrat has carried Alaska in presidential elections since 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson had his landslide victory over Barry Goldwater.
Party organization
Party leadership
The Executive Committee of the Alaska Democratic Party consists of the following individuals:[2]
- Chair - Michael Wenstrup
- Secretary - Lynda Zaugg
- Treasurer - Geoff Bacon
- Vice Chair Interior Female - Diane Fleeks
- Vice Chair Interior Male
- Vice Chair Matsu Male - Harvey Tanttila
- Vice Chair Matsu Female (1st Vice Chair) - Casey Steinau
- Vice Chair Southeast Male - Tom Schulz
- Vice Chair Southeast Female - Cindy Spanyers
- Vice Chair Rural Male - Charles Degnan
- Vice Chair Rural Female - Angela Cox
- Vice Chair Anchorage Female - Anita Thorne
- Vice Chair Anchorage Female - Barbara Gazaway
- Vice Chair Anchorage Male - Rod McCoy
- Vice Chair Anchorage Male - Ray Metcalfe
- Vice Chair North Gulf (Kenai Pen and H 35) Vacant
- Vice Chair North Gulf (Kenai Pen and H 35) Vacant
- Immediate Past Chair - Don Gray
- National Committeewoman - Kim Metcalfe
- National Committeeman Ian Olson
- Finance Committee Chair - Rocky Plotnick
- State House Representative - Chris Tuck
- State Senate Representative Berta Gardner
- Executive Committee At-Large - Deborah Vogt
- Young Democrats Chair Joe Samaniegogn Committee (SDCC) Co-Chair - Johnny Ellis
- House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) Co-Chairs - Scott Kawasaki / Chris Tuck
- Young Democrats President - Liz Andres
Party functions
The Alaska Democratic Party performs many functions, all with the aim of helping Democrats to win elected office within the state.
These functions include:[3]
- The organization and recruitment of citizens to go door to door for the party and promote the party issues and candidates.
- The coordination of state-wide campaigns for the general election every two years.
- Working to get articles into newspapers, letters to the editors written, and callers on talk radio stations.
- Operating the official Alaska Democratic Party website.
- Sending out email announcements to Democrats regarding party activities.
- Operating a state Voter File.
See also
References
External links
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