Alaska attorney general appeals court ruling that could let Gov. Walker into Democratic primary

JUNEAU — Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth announced Friday that the state is appealing a court decision that would allow independent candidates — like her boss, Gov. Bill Walker — to contest partisan primary elections.

Juneau Superior Court Judge Phillip Pallenberg ruled against the state two weeks ago, saying that a law barring independents' participation in primaries is an unconstitutional limit on parties' freedom of association.

[New court ruling could allow Alaska Gov. Walker, an independent, to run in Democratic primary]

The lawsuit, filed by the Alaska Democratic Party, is now headed to the Alaska Supreme Court. Lindemuth, in a prepared statement Friday, said the case "presents significant constitutional questions" that the Supreme Court should decide.

Assistant Attorney General Libby Bakalar said Lindemuth made the appeal decision without consulting with Walker or Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott, "in order to avoid a conflict or the appearance of a conflict given the administration's re-election campaign."

Walker has filed to run for re-election next year as an independent.

But Mallott is a Democrat and the two were elected in 2014 with support from the Democratic Party; Walker hasn't ruled out running in the Democrats' primary as an independent if that becomes an option.

Jay Parmley, the Democrats' executive director, said he was "a little surprised" by the state's decision to appeal.

"We'll wait and see, but we continue to feel very confident the facts are on our side," he said.