FAIRBANKS -- The announcement by Sen. Hollis French that he is joining hands with gubernatorial candidate Bryon Mallott is the political equivalent of an eHarmony.com match for Alaska Democrats.
The election is 10 months off, but the French announcement that he is not running for governor helps clear the path for Mallot to win the nomination next August, barring any major surprises. French, who is running for lieutenant governor, said they won't be officially united until the "voters make us a team next August."
"But I think you're going to see mutual support. You're going to see us doing fundraisers together. We're going to be working together," he said in a phone interview today, shortly after appearing at a Mallott campaign event in Anchorage.
He said he made the decision about 10 days ago, concluding that there was no point in wasting resources in a race against someone he respects and admires.
"The idea of being in a contested primary with him for very long just seemed horrible," he said.
'Taking a step back for the good of the team'
French had planned to run for governor, even creating a "French for Governor" committee in August, and a website, but he said he has put that amibition aside to work with Mallott. He said the website message would switch to "French for Lieutenant Governor." Bob Williams, a Mat-Su teacher, is also running for lieutenant governor, but French will be the frontrunner.
"Politics is an odd combination of individual effort and team effort," he said Tuesday night on his Facebook page, adding that his interest in the second job meant he would be "taking a step back for the good of the team."
Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately, but campaigning together can be effective and economical. The main benefit to Mallot is that if he avoids a major confrontation in the primary, he can turn his focus to the general election next November, one in which Mallott faces major challenges.
Gov. Sean Parnell won't have real competition in the primary and he has the power of incumbency, meaning that many official acts as governor will add unofficial value to his campaign for the next year.
The third major candidate, former Valdez Mayor Bill Walker, has a path straight to the general via the signature route. Walker also has signed up with a running mate, former Fish and Game deputy commissioner Craig Fleener.
What will be effect of oil-tax measure?
The oil tax repeal, scheduled to appear on the primary ballot next August, will be the leading issue up until the primary, but none of the big choices in the governor's race are going to take place in the primary. It remains to be seen how the vote in August -- either in support or opposing the repeal -- will carry over until November.
Parnell opposes the repeal of the oil-tax cut, while Walker supports the ballot measure, which will win him support among some Democratic-leaning voters.
It's likely that Mallot will support the oil tax repeal. He told the Juneau Empire the process that led to the oil tax cut "seemed to be deeply flawed," but he hasn't taken a definite position on the ballot measure. French, however, has been a leading supporter of the repeal effort. He said he is confident that he and Mallott share the same basic view.
"Bryon's a big picture guy," he said. "Byron's a uniter. We've also had enough private conversations so that I'm satisfied I know where he is on the crucial issues of the day. Or else I wouldn't be doing this.
"I think he has a very good chance of winning the governor's mansion."
French said he doesn't expect another major Democrat to file for governor, but that won't be certain until the filing deadline next June.
"People are quicking picking sides," he said.
Lots of Sullivans
As it stands today, there are two competitive statewide primary races, both on the GOP side.
The GOP lieutenant governor contest between Sen. Lesil McGuire and Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan is one and the GOP contest for Mark Begich's U.S. Senate seat is the other. Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, former state DNR commissioner Dan Sullivan and Joe Miller, who won the GOP primary against Lisa Murkowski for US Senate, is the other. The Senate primary will attract most of the attention.
For purposes of name recognition, the repetition of the name Sullivan will help the Anchorage mayor every time that U.S. Senate candidate Sullivan runs an ad, especially among casual voters who might not know exactly who is running for lieutenant governor.
Sullivan, the former natural resources commissioner, and Treadwell are likely to split the majority Republican vote, with Miller drawing his support from those who think that Sullivan and Treadwell are too liberal.
Contact Dermot Cole at dermot(at)alaskadispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter @DermotMCole