Basswood Research for Sean Parnell (8/5, likely voters):
Sean Parnell (R): 42
Don Young (R-inc): 38
Gabrielle LeDoux (R): 8
(MoE: ±5.7%)
Last week we saw a poll for the GOP primary in the Alaska House race from Ivan Moore that had Young up by a solid 8-point margin. The Parnell camp counters with its own internal poll showing him beating Young by 4 points. The sample was taken on Aug. 5, so this is post-Trooper-gate.
The poll doesn’t appear to test the various configurations for the general election. The primary will be held Aug. 26.
In other somewhat-related grumpy-old-corrupt-guys-from-Alaska news, the feds are fighting Ted Stevens’ attempts to change the venue of his trial from Washington DC to Alaska, claiming the unlikelihood of finding an impartial jury. This is important, because a) any delay makes it less likely the trial will be resolved before Election Day, and b) Stevens will be able to campaign in his off-hours if the trial is in Alaska, while he can’t if he’s stuck in DC.
shows this race to be well within the MoE and LeDoux will be spending a lot more before election day.
There is still hope for Don Young!
Does anyone know how nasty this has gotten? I could see Young being a mean enough old crank to sit out the fall election (or even better — actively subvert Parnell’s campaign). On the other hand, if Parnell loses, how much party unity is he going to show in supporting the crook Young?
Another internal poll. I wouldn’t take it at face value.