THE RACE IS ON ... Executive earwigs report that Michelle Toohey, Gov. Parnell's deputy press secretary, left that post Friday to work on the governor's election campaign. It's not clear if she will be the permanent campaign manager, wigs say, but there's apparently an opening.

Word is David O'Connell, the political consultant from Connecticut who ran Gabrielle LeDoux's congressional campaign and then moved over to Sean's upcoming race, is out.

Seems to Ear Alaskans had trouble taking that guy seriously, especially after he friended Monica Lewinsky on Facebook. ... And is he the one who told Gabrielle she could transfer her success getting elected in Kodiak to a seat in an Anchorage district where she's lived for less than a year? The Division of Elections says she can refile in May. We'll see how that works out for her.

Michelle is married to Cam Toohey, which makes her the daughter-in-law of former Republican legislator Cynthia Toohey of Anchorage.

THE RACE IS REALLY ON ... Ralph Samuels' fundraiser Wednesday at the Corsair attracted more than 300 people and raised $60,000, the campaign says. Once again, Ear is startled by those lining up against a sitting Republican governor who seems to be generally well liked. An earwig reports seeing Sens. Lesil McGuire, R-Anchorage, and Charlie Huggins, R-Wasilla, there, and Reps. Mike Chenault, R-Kenai, Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, and Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, among others.

WRAPPING UP ... Yes, darlings, Ms. Pillow the package wrapper is in business once again in the entryway at REI, turning your gifts into fabulous creations in return for a contribution to the Alaska Red Cross disaster relief fund. (Those are the guys who find you a place to stay when your house burns down or the river overflows.)

Pillow, formerly Anchorage's most famous dancer, takes two weeks off each Christmas from her job at the Blood Bank to raise money for the Red Cross. She wraps all gifts, not just those bought at REI. And she speaks Klingon.

MATT OF ALL TRADES ... Lawyer, Assemblyman, acting mayor and ... medic? Matt Claman's training as an EMT came in handy last week when a woman in an exercise class at a local gym suddenly passed out, smacking her head against the floor. Earwigs in a sweat report Claman did the do-you-know-what-day-it-is bit and the follow-the-finger thing and determined the woman probably had a concussion. When she refused ambulance transport, he drove her to the hospital.

TOUGH TICKET ... The most select formal event on the social calendar last week was surely the celebration Tuesday of the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito of Japan's accession to the throne. Hosted by the Consulate-General of Japan in Alaska, it was held at the Hotel Captain Cook and Wally Hickel made the big speech.

ON THE MOVE ... Curtis Thayer, formerly of Enstar, is the new deputy commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. His domain includes the divisions of Investments, Insurance, Banking and Securities, and Occupation & Professional Licenses.

ON THE MOVE 2 ... Lance Wilber, the city's long-time roads and bridges guy, is leaving to take over as Central Region director of the state Department of Transportation. He starts the new job in January.

ABOUT THAT JET ... They held a big celebration in Bethel on Thursday for the opening of a much-needed new women's shelter. The festivities were packed, including a bunch of people who flew in on the Alaska Airlines flight. Unfortunately, a variety of state officials scheduled to be on the program, including VIPs from Public Safety and Health and Social Services, failed to show up.

Why? Well, the tiny prop Caravan -- one of the two state planes left after the jet got sold -- couldn't make it through the winter weather. It didn't even take off.

DO SEND A FONDU ... To Fish and Game Commish Denby Lloyd and long-time fiancee Laurie Knapp. Friends report they got married Friday in Kodiak. Laurie runs big sailboat charters and a boat canvas manufacturing business. And Denby, well, you know what he does.

IT'S OFFICIAL ... U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke has named Joel Neimeyer to co-chair the Denali Commission, Uncle Ted's rural development agency that seems to be surviving without him. Neimeyer is a former program manager for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Sen. Begich nominated him.