Walker ousts Parnell in Alaska governor’s race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Independent candidate Bill Walker has won the Alaska governor’s race, following an aggressive challenge to Republican Gov. Sean Parnell.

Walker grabbed a slim lead on election night, but the race was too close to call until thousands of absentee and questioned ballots were counted this week.

Walker, an attorney and former mayor of Valdez, is the first candidate unaffiliated with a party to be elected governor since statehood. Walker’s mentor, Wally Hickel, served a term as governor with the Alaskan Independence Party, a recognized third-party in the state, before going back to the GOP.

Walker, who finished second to Parnell in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary, bypassed this year’s primary by gathering signatures to support an outside run.

A major issue for Walker has been a natural gas pipeline project. Walker advocated for one for years but has taken issue with the process for pursuing one set up by Parnell’s administration and approved by the Legislature, which involves the North Slope’s three major oil producers and TransCanada Corp., which would own at least part of the state’s interest in the pipeline and gas treatment plant.