2014 United States Senate election in Alaska

Democrat Mark Begich won the 2008 election, defeating seven-term Republican incumbent Ted Stevens by just under 4,000 votes. A few days before the election, Stevens had been convicted of a felony, but the case against Stevens was later dismissed by the Justice Department after the election, when serious issues of prosecutorial misconduct emerged. In the 2012 presidential election, Mitt Romney easily won Alaska by 13 points, which made Begich a prime target during an election cycle in which Republicans needed a net gain of six seats to retake control of the Senate.

Candidates from the Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Libertarian Party and Alaskan Independence Party appear on the same ballot, with the highest-placed candidate from each party receiving that party's nomination.

• Mark Begich, incumbent U.S. Senator{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/2009/04/08/753646/stevens-files-candidacy-for-2014.html |title=Stevens files candidacy for 2014 election |publisher=ADN.com |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004230017/http://www.adn.com/2009/04/08/753646/stevens-files-candidacy-for-2014.html |archive-date=October 4, 2012 }}
• William Bryk, attorney and perennial candidate from New York{{cite web|author=Zaz Hollander|url=http://www.adn.com/2013/11/21/3190311/brooklyn-lawyer-takes-on-begich.html|title=Brooklyn lawyer takes on Begich - without leaving home|work=Anchorage Daily News|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2013}}

• Zachary Kile, orthopedic surgeon{{cite web|url=http://www.650keni.com/onair/scott-rhode-14142/ten-observations-about-2014-candidates-12421453|title=Ten Observations About 2014 Candidates|publisher=KENI|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2014|author=Scott Rhode}}
• Vic Kohring, former Republican state representative

• Mark Fish, former chairman of the Alaska Libertarian Party, former Sarah Palin and Joe Miller staffer and Republican nominee for the state house in 2008{{cite web|url=http://amandacoyne.com/politics/alaska-libertarian-mark-fish-runs-for-u-s-senate-seat|title=Alaska Libertarian Mark Fish runs for U.S. Senate seat|publisher=Amanda Coyne|date=May 14, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2014|author=Amanda Coyne}}
• Scott Kohlhaas, former chairman of the Alaska Libertarian Party and perennial candidate{{cite web|url=http://www.newsminer.com/u-s-senate-scott-kohlhaas/article_593fc4e4-2710-11e4-a011-0017a43b2370.html|title=U.S. Senate — Scott Kohlhaas|publisher=NewsMiner.com|date=August 18, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014}}
• Thom Walker, University of Alaska Brooks Range research station operations manager{{cite web|url=http://www.ktoo.org/2014/08/22/walker-wins-primary-libertarian-senate-nomination|title=Walker wins primary … for Libertarian Senate nomination|publisher=KTOO|date=August 22, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014|author=Alexandra Gutierrez}}

• Joe Miller, former magistrate judge, Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/210630-sen-begich-faces-tough-reelection-challenge-in-gop-friendly/|title=Sen. Begich faces tough reelection challenge in GOP-friendly Alaska|work=Roll Call|first=Cameron|last=Joseph|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/215212-joe-miller-says-hell-back-gop-nominee-against-begich-in-alaska/|work=The Hill|title=Joe Miller says he'll back GOP nominee against Begich in Alaska|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2014|first=Cameron|last=Joseph}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary results{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/14PRIM/data/results.htm |title=2014 Primary Elections August 19, 2014 Official Results |publisher=State of Alaska Division of Elections |access-date=September 8, 2014}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mark Begich (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 58,092

| percentage = 83.31%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thom Walker

| party = Alaska Libertarian Party

| votes = 3,167

| percentage = 4.54%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Vic Kohring

| party = Alaskan Independence Party

| votes = 2,557

| percentage = 3.67%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William Bryk

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,024

| percentage = 2.90%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Zachary Kile

| party = Alaskan Independence Party

| votes = 1,869

| percentage = 2.68%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mark Fish

| party = Alaska Libertarian Party

| votes = 1,290

| percentage = 1.85%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Scott Kohlhaas

| party = Alaska Libertarian Party

| votes = 734

| percentage = 1.05%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 69,733

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

In an upset, the unknown Thom Walker won the Libertarian nomination despite not campaigning and raising no money. Libertarians speculated that he was a Republican "plant" designed to keep a more viable Libertarian from winning the nomination and then taking votes away from the Republican nominee in the general election. They further speculated that Walker was chosen because he shared a surname with Bill Walker (no relation), who was running as an independent candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial election, and that voters may have been confused because Bill Walker did not appear on the primary ballot and thus they may have voted for Thom Walker in error. This confusion could have extended to the general election, with voters picking Thom Walker for the Senate, thinking he was Bill Walker.{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20140822/walker-no-other-walker-wins-libertarian-us-senate-nomination|title=Walker -- no, the other Walker -- wins Libertarian US Senate nomination|publisher=Alaska Dispatch New|date=August 22, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014}}

Walker withdrew from the race on August 27, saying that "my work location and schedule will have me out of town, out of contact and off the campaign trail for too long." The Libertarian executive board replaced him as the nominee with Mark Fish.{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20140827/alaska-libertarian-candidate-us-senate-withdraws|title=Alaska Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate withdraws|publisher=Alaska Dispatch New |date=August 27, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014}}

Alaskan Independence nominee Vic Kohring, who had changed his voter registration from Republican to Alaskan Independence just before the filing deadline, withdrew from the race on September 2 and endorsed Dan Sullivan. The Alaskan Independence Party did not name a replacement nominee before the deadline for them to do so had passed.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/independence-party-candidate-exits-us-senate-race/article_8f87de26-33a2-11e4-9874-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Independence party candidate exits US Senate race|publisher=NewsMiner.com|date=September 3, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014}}

File:Sullivan (15373065277).jpg

• John Jaramillo, air force veteran{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130528/joe-miller-takes-another-step-toward-2014-us-senate-run|title=Joe Miller takes another step toward 2014 US Senate run|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=July 9, 2013|work=Alaska Dispatch|first=Ben|last=Anderson}}
• Joe Miller, former U.S. magistrate judge and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/joe-miller-alaska-senate-2014-91960.html?hp=r5|title=Joe Miller files papers for Senate|date=May 28, 2013|access-date=May 29, 2013|work=Politico|first=Alexander|last=Burns}}
• Dan Sullivan, former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and former Alaska Attorney General{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/alaska-senate-race-2014-dan-sullivan-96730.html|title=Alaska Senate race 2014: Dan Sullivan to run|date=September 12, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2013|work=Politico|first=James|last=Hohmann}}
• Mead Treadwell, Lieutenant Governor of Alaska{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/republican-annouces-challenge-against-begich/|title=Republican Announces Begich Challenge|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=June 18, 2013|work=Roll Call|first=Kyle|last=Trygstad}}

• Kathleen Tonn, anti-abortion activist{{cite web|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/begala-scheduled-to-headline-begich-fundraiser/article_21afd1dc-ee44-11e2-b392-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Begala scheduled to headline fundraiser for Democrat Begich in Alaska|date=July 16, 2013|access-date=August 13, 2013|work=Newsminer}}{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskacommons.com/2014/02/01/kathleen-tonn-is-out-of-the-senate-race-but-her/|title=Tonn Out of Senate Primary Race|date=February 1, 2014|access-date=April 6, 2014|work=Alaska Commons|last=Bailey|first=Chris}}

• Timothy Mark Burgess, judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/2013/02/23/2799969/alaska-ear-good-news-22413.html|title=Miller Mulls a Begich Challenge|date=February 23, 2013|access-date=February 27, 2013|work=Anchorage Daily News|first=Rich|last=Mauer}}
• Loren Leman, former lieutenant governor{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/alaska-republicans-lining-up-to-take-on-mark-begich/|title=Alaska: Republicans Lining Up to Take on Mark Begich|date=November 13, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2013|work=Roll Call|first=Kyle|last=Trygstad}}
• Lesil McGuire, state senator{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/2013/06/05/2928145/mcguire-files-to-run-for-lieutenant.html|title=McGuire files to run for lieutenant governor|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2013|work=Anchorage Daily News|first=Kyle|last=Hopkins|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609163114/http://www.adn.com/2013/06/05/2928145/mcguire-files-to-run-for-lieutenant.html|archive-date=June 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/2014/06/02/3498565/mcguire-withdraws-from-lieutenant.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1|title=McGuire withdraws from lieutenant governor race just before filing deadline|date=June 2, 2014|access-date=June 4, 2014|work=Anchorage Daily News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203448/http://www.adn.com/2014/06/02/3498565/mcguire-withdraws-from-lieutenant.html?sp=%2F99%2F100%2F&ihp=1|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}
• Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and nominee for Vice President of the United States in 2008 [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/sarah-palin-tw-shannon_n_4951731.html Sarah Palin Ups Her 2014 Game, Endorses In Competitive GOP Senate Primary]
• Sean Parnell, Governor of Alaska (ran for re-election and lost){{cite web|url=http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130503/its-official-sean-parnell-will-seek-second-full-term-alaska-governor|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628100328/http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130503/its-official-sean-parnell-will-seek-second-full-term-alaska-governor|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2013|title=Neither Democrats nor Republicans shocked Parnell is running again|date=May 4, 2013|access-date=May 25, 2013|work=Alaska Dispatch|first=Pat|last=Forgey}}
• Dan Sullivan, Mayor of Anchorage (ran for Lieutenant Governor and lost){{cite web|url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/news/article/anchorage-mayor-not-running-in-alaska-senate-race|title=Anchorage Mayor Not Running in Alaska Senate Race|date=May 23, 2013|access-date=May 25, 2013|work=The Rothenberg Political Report|first=Nathan L.|last=Gonzales}}

• Ted Stevens, former U.S. Senator. Stevens had filed to run for his old seat, but he was killed in a plane crash on August 9, 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/us/11crash.html?pagewanted=all |title=Former Senator Ted Stevens Killed in Plane Crash|work=The New York Times|first1=William|last1=Yardley|first2=Liz|last2=Robbins|date=August 10, 2010}}

{{Endorsements box

| title = Joe Miller

| list =

Individuals

• Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and nominee for Vice President of the United States in 2008{{cite web|url=http://m.juneauempire.com/state/2014-08-15/sarah-palin-endorses-joe-miller-senate-race|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084839/http://m.juneauempire.com/state/2014-08-15/sarah-palin-endorses-joe-miller-senate-race|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 19, 2014|title=Sarah Palin endorses Joe Miller, again|date=August 15, 2014}}

Organizations

• [http://www.combatveteransforcongress.org/ Combat Veterans for Congress]{{cite web|url=http://joemiller.us/2013/12/press-release-joe-miller-endorsed-combat-veterans-congress-pac|title=Combat Veterans for Congress PAC Endorses Joe Miller for U.S. Senate|publisher=Joe Miller for Senate|date=December 23, 2013|access-date=February 24, 2014}}
• Gun Owners of America{{cite web|url=http://www.goapvf.org/endorsements/127-joe-miller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302172318/http://www.goapvf.org/endorsements/127-joe-miller|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 2, 2014|title=GOA Political Victory Fund Endorses Miller for Senate|publisher=Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund|access-date=February 24, 2014}}}}

{{Endorsements box

| title = Dan Sullivan

| list =

Individuals

• Lyman Hoffman, member of the Alaska Senate (Democrat){{cite news|url=http://kyuk.org/lyman-hoffman-endorses-dan-sullivan-for-senate/|agency=KYUK|title=Lyman Hoffman Endorses Dan Sullivan for Senate|first=Ben|last=Matheson|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121104746/http://kyuk.org/lyman-hoffman-endorses-dan-sullivan-for-senate/|archive-date=January 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}
• Condoleezza Rice, former United States Secretary of State[https://web.archive.org/web/20140325040319/http://www.therepublic.com/w/AK--Alaska-Senate-Sullivan US Senate hopeful Sullivan out with new ad, casts self as fighter Alaska needs], therepublic.com; accessed November 6, 2014.
• Tara Sweeney, co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives{{Cite web|date=October 25, 2020|first=Tara |last=Sweeney Updated|title=Sullivan has been a champion for rural Alaska|url=https://www.adn.com/opinions/2020/10/24/sullivan-has-been-a-champion-for-rural-alaska/|access-date=October 16, 2021|website=Anchorage Daily News|language=en}}

Organizations

• Club for Growth{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/12/club_for_growth_backs_sullivan_in_alaska_race_121900.html|title=Club for Growth Backs Sullivan in Alaska Race|date=March 12, 2014|access-date=March 13, 2014|work=Real Clear Politics|author=Caitlin Huey-Burns}}}}

{{Endorsements box

| title = Mead Treadwell

| list =

Individuals

• Jack Coghill, former lieutenant governor and Alaska Constitutional Convention delegate{{cite web|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/treadwell-campaigns-in-fairbanks-for-u-s-senate-seat/article_064131ca-1ce8-11e3-a486-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Treadwell campaigns in Fairbanks for U.S. Senate seat|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=February 24, 2014|work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|first=Matt|last=Buxton}}
• Mark R. Hamilton, former President of the University of Alaska{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Mead_Treadwell/status/378613991188074498|title=I am honored and humbled to have the support of Mark Hamilton|date=September 13, 2013|access-date=February 24, 2014|publisher=Twitter|first=Mead|last=Treadwell}}
• Ryan Stassel, snowboarder{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/olympic-sochi-snowboarder-senate-endorsement|title=Olympic Snowboarder Makes Senate Endorsement|date=February 20, 2014|access-date=February 24, 2014|work=Roll Call|first=Kyle|last=Trygstad}}

}}

{{Endorsements box

| title = Declined to endorse

| list =

• Sean Parnell, Governor of Alaska{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/sean-parnell-alaska-senate-2014-100241.html|title=Parnell staying out of Alaska Sen. race|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=February 24, 2014|work=Politico|first=James|last=Hohmann}}}}

[[File:2014AKSenGOP.svg|thumb|325px|Results by state house district

{{collapsible list

|title=Sullivan

|{{legend|#de8787|Sullivan—40–50%}}

|{{legend|#e9afaf|Sullivan—30–40%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

|title=Miller

|{{legend|#ffb380|Miller—30–40%}}

|{{legend|#ff9955|Miller—40–50%}}

}}

]]

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican primary results

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dan Sullivan

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 44,740

| percentage = 40.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Miller

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 35,904

| percentage = 32.14%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mead Treadwell

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 27,807

| percentage = 24.90%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Jaramillo

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,246

| percentage = 2.91%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 111,697

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Ted Gianoutsos, founder of the Veterans Party of Alaska and perennial candidate{{cite news|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ci_pg_cl_2014_genr.php|title=November 4, 2014 General Election Candidate List|access-date=August 22, 2014|work=Alaska Secretary of State|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820200902/http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ci_pg_cl_2014_genr.php|archive-date=August 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}
• Sid Hill, political gadfly{{cite web|url=http://www.frontiersman.com/news/crowded-field-files-for-state-elections/article_3810b116-edae-11e3-8e54-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Crowded field files for state elections|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014|work=Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman|author=Andrew Wellner}}
• Stubbs, cat and mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/a-cat-mayor-just-announced-his-campaign-for-senate-in-alaska-2014-11 |title=A Cat Mayor Just 'Announced' His Campaign For Senate In Alaska |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=November 4, 2014 |work=Business Insider |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805024433/http://www.businessinsider.com/a-cat-mayor-just-announced-his-campaign-for-senate-in-alaska-2014-11 |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |url-status=live }}

• Joe Miller, former magistrate judge and Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/04/how-sarah-palin-ruined-the-alaska-senate-race-105916_full.html|title=She Can See This Disaster From Her House|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=April 24, 2014|work=Politico|author=Forrest A. Nabors}}

Begich and Sullivan participated in a televised debate regarding fisheries on August 27, 2014, at the University of Alaska Anchorage.{{cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20141001/tough-topic-tough-audience-sullivan-debate-begich-fisheries-issues-kodiak |title=Tough topic, tough audience for Sullivan in debate with Begich on fisheries issues in Kodiak |work=Alaska Dispatch News |first=Nathaniel |last=Herz |date=October 1, 2014}} Another televised debate concerning natural resources was held on October 1 in Kodiak, Alaska.{{cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20141023/begich-sullivan-spar-over-natural-resources-us-senate-debate |title=Begich, Sullivan spar over natural resources in US Senate debate |work=Alaska Dispatch News |first=Nathaniel |last=Herz |date=October 23, 2014}}

• [https://www.c-span.org/video/?322450-1/alaska-senate-debate Complete video of debate]

{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#cff|title=Hypothetical polling|contentstyle=border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;}}

with Leman

with Miller

with Palin

with Parnell

with Dan A. Sullivan

with Treadwell

{{hidden end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2014 United States Senate election in Alaska{{cite news|url=http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/14GENR/data/results.pdf|title=2014 General Election November 4, 2014 Official Results |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=November 27, 2014 |publisher=elections.alaska.gov }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Dan Sullivan

|votes = 135,445

|percentage = 47.96%

|change = +1.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mark Begich (incumbent)

|votes = 129,431

|percentage = 45.83%

|change = −1.94%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Alaska Libertarian Party

|candidate = Mark Fish

|votes = 10,512

|percentage = 3.72%

|change = +1.94%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (United States)

|candidate = Ted Gianoutsos

|votes = 5,636

|percentage = 2.00%

|change = +1.56%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

|votes = 1,376

|percentage = 0.49%

|change = +0.15%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 282,400

|percentage = 100.00%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Fairbanks North Star (largest city: Fairbanks)
• Kodiak Island (largest city: Kodiak Island)
• Petersburg

• Aleutians East Borough (largest city: Akutan)

• 2014 Alaska gubernatorial election
• 2014 United States Senate elections
• 2014 United States elections
• Stubbs (cat), notable write-in candidate and honorary Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska

{{Reflist}}

{{notelist}}

• [http://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections_in_Alaska,_2014 U.S. Senate elections in Alaska, 2014] at Ballotpedia
• [http://senate.ontheissues.org/2014_AK_Senate.htm Alaska Senate debate excerpts], OnTheIssues.org
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=AKS1&cycle=2014 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets

Campaign websites

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130924015608/http://www.markbegich.com/ Mark Begich for U.S. Senate]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130823094019/http://www.sullivan2014.com/ Dan Sullivan for U.S. Senate]
• [http://www.kohringalaska.com/ Vic Kohring for U.S. Senate]

{{2014 United States elections}}

2014

Alaska

Category:2014 Alaska elections

Category:Mark Begich