State election officials have approved Bill Cook's application to launch a write-in campaign for the state House District 18 seat representing Eagle River and part of Muldoon.
Cook, a lawyer and former Lower 48 municipal judge, in August lost his Republican primary race against Dan Saddler by four votes: Saddler got 415 votes and Cook 411.
Cook said he filed the required write-in candidate paperwork Sunday while he was at a state Division of Elections office on another matter.
He said he does not plan to mount a campaign for the seat due to lack of funding but if "voters want to write me in, fine," he said.
Saddler, a former aide to several Alaska governors, said he beat Cook in the primary and the recount. "It's not quite so clear what (Cook) is trying to do or why," Saddler said.
Cook said he sees himself as the true conservative in the race.
The District 18 seat was previously held by Nancy Dahlstrom, also a Republican.
Saddler, Cook and Democrat Martin Lindeke, a hazardous material building inspector, will vie for the District 18 seat in the Nov. 2 general election.
Anchorage Daily News / adn.com