Gov. Mike Dunleavy has chosen one Republican over another in the Senate Seat D race on the North Kenai Peninsula. Dunleavy didn’t endorse incumbent Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, who is Republican on paper. The governor chose House Rep. Ben Carpenter, who is challenging Bjorkman for Senate.
Bjorkman joined with the Democrats to create a Democrat-majority coalition and many conservatives don’t trust his political compass. Carpenter is one of the House’s more conservative members.
“Ben has been a consistent conservative voice in the legislature and wants to do the right thing for Alaska,” Dunleavy said. “Like myself, Ben wants Alaska to prosper. He wants to unleash our natural resources, create great schools, and make sure we can turn the lights on with great energy policies. To all my friends on the Kenai Peninsula, please vote for Ben Carpenter on November 5th,” Dunleavy said.
In addition to the two Republicans, a Democrat is on the ballot for Senate Seat D. Notably, Gov. Dunleavy did not ask people to rank Carpenter first and Bjorkman second. He only gave his support to Carpenter.
Earlier this month, Dunleavy made a similar endorsement, when he endorsed Jared Goecker for Senate Seat L for Eagle River, and did not mention incumbent Sen. Kelly Merrick as his second or third choice.
