Republican governors take notice of recall

By
Suzanne Downing
-
13

Republican Governors Association Executive Director Dave Rexrode released a statement today in response to the recall effort launched against Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy:

“Since taking office, Governor Dunleavy has served as the People’s Governor, fighting for a better future for all Alaskans and taking on the special interests. Under his leadership unemployment is at its lowest level in years and he continues to work to attract jobs and economic development to the state. The RGA stands behind Governor Dunleavy against this recall effort by partisan special interests seeking to halt Alaska’s tremendous progress.”

Although no group has formed to defend Dunleavy against the recall effort, the statement from the RGA is an indication that the recall effort has gained national attention.

The Alaska Republican Party also issued a statement, but with a sharper edge:

“Republicans respect the election process; elections are how we choose our leaders in America. Gov. Dunleavy is trying grow the economic pie in Alaska by responsibly dealing with the current budget situation. It appears that Democrats are upset because their various special interest groups could lose influence.
“The Alaska Republican Party supports Gov. Dunleavy, who won with 51.44 percent of the vote in a four-way race in November. The recall efforts started in February, when he had only been in office for less than 12 weeks. We find this recall a cynical attempt to undo the expressed will of the people.”

Dunleavy, won with 145,631 votes to Mark Begich’s 125,739 votes, incumbent Bill Walker’s 5,757 votes, and Libertarian Willian Toien’s 5,402 votes.

Alaska Democrats got involved with the recall caper today; many of the marchers from the CIRI Native corporation building were usual-suspect Democrats and experienced protesters, and the Alaska Democratic Party had its boots on the ground at the event, issuing several supportive Facebook posts and photos of the event.