Anchorage Daily News

More top Republicans are thinking about joining Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in gunning for Alaska's lone seat in Congress. But none sounds ready to commit to challenge incumbent Don Young.

"I anticipate (Parnell) will not be the last," said state House Majority Leader Ralph Samuels, a Republican from Anchorage.

Samuels said he's thinking about getting into the race but has doubts.

Parnell recently joined Kodiak Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux in signing up for the Aug. 26 Republican primary contest with Young. Three Democratic candidates are also running for the seat.

Young, 74, under federal investigation and described by one Democratic opponent as a "wounded bear," still has loyal supporters and is expected to be a formidable primary opponent. He's been Alaska's congressman since 1973.

House Speaker John Harris, a Valdez Republican, said he's thinking about running for the seat. But Harris said he'd run only if Young drops out "or is not capable of winning the race under any circumstance."

Alaska's political rumor mill is cranking out several other names as potential candidates as well, including that of Fairbanks Republican state Rep. Jay Ramras. Is he thinking about it?

"No more than 100 other people," Ramras said.

"I am wholly focused on finishing the legislative session for my constituents," he said.

Former Republican Lt. Gov. Loren Leman said he's interested in running for Congress. But he said he doesn't have a plan to do so this year, and would be more likely to target the U.S. Senate than House.

Another name often mentioned, former gubernatorial candidate John Binkley, doubts he'll run.

House Majority Leader Samuels said it would be a fascinating job and a lot of people have talked to him about it. But he's reluctant and doesn't have a desire to relocate to Washington, D.C.

Samuels said it would take time to master the congressional political process. There's also the question of raising enough money.

"If I jump in I'm going to play to win," he said.

Samuels is the former chair of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. He said Parnell might draw on the same Alaska business fundraising base that he would in a congressional race.

Young didn't raise as much as LeDoux and two of his Democratic challengers in the final months of last year. But the former chair of the U.S. House Transportation Committee has raised campaign money all over the country, a geographic reach others don't have.

Young spent $854,000 in campaign funds on legal fees last year but still ended the year with about a million dollars for the race.

Candidates have until June 1 to file but that would be a late start in trying to unseat a long-term incumbent with money and recognition.

Anchorage pollster Ivan Moore, who is working for Democratic congressional challenger Ethan Berkowitz, asserts Young isn't popular statewide but still has a Republican base.

That means he is tougher in a Republican primary than in a general election, Moore said. Multiple Republican challengers might split the anti-Young primary vote among them.

"The more people that jump in, the better it is for Don," Moore said.

Find Sean Cockerham online at adn.com/contact/scockerham or call him at 257-4344.

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