Politics

'Shift' in Treadwell camp ousts campaign manager

In the diplomatic language that should be expected from a sitting lieutenant governor, Mead Treadwell announced on Thursday that he was "shifting" his campaign's organizational structure, which was a nice way of saying a pair of high-flying Outsiders, campaign manager Adam Jones and communications assistant Rick Gorka, are no longer part of the campaign.

Both men had worked for the McCain-Palin ticket that lost to then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008. Jones was recently recruited from Nevada, where he had worked for the lieutenant governor.

Gorka was the traveling press secretary for failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney who got time off in 2012 after he famously told reporters "kiss my ass" on Romney's bumbling trip to Poland.

It's unclear what caused the "shift," but it's likely not good. Reports from the last fundraising quarter showed Treadwell was beat soundly by Dan Sullivan, the state's former attorney general who took in $1.2 million to Treadwell's $228,000.

Press secretary Fred Brown said the move will "free up resources" -- the paychecks for the two workers -- that will allow Treadwell to get out more in Alaska.

"He wants this to be about Alaska," Brown said.

Treadwell's statement said the "restructuring" would put him in a better spot to make Sen. Mark Begich a one-term senator:

"Peter Christensen, a long-time personal friend and national finance chair, will assume day to day leadership of the campaign until the new manager is named. The campaign has strong leadership from our co-chairs, Mark Hamilton and Catkin Burton. We have a great staff that has done a terrific job in establishing our political organization, our Alaska fundraising and our work with the Alaska media. I have great confidence in them and with the continued support and dedication of our volunteers."

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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