Bruce Ludwig, Business Manager for APEA-AFT: “They have taken money out of Pell Grants for higher education. They have also voted for tax cuts for the rich while sending jobs overseas with bad trade deals. I am confident that Congressional candidate Ethan Berkowitz and Senate candidate Mark Begich will do a better job of supporting working people.”

A recent Hays Research survey put Democrat Ethan Berkowitz ahead of Parnell, 33 percent to 30 percent, in a general election matchup.

Ethan Berkowitz got an earful from Valley farmers Monday. The former state legislator is one of many candidates in a crowded race for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the Democratic primary, Berkowitz faces Diane Benson. On the other side, incumbent Don Young is hoping to fend off challenges from state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux of Kodiak and Lt. Governor Sean Parnell.

Two Republican lawmakers have famously served Alaska’s interests in Washington for more than three decades: Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young. But there are signs that Alaskan voters this year may be ready to follow political changes taking place in the rest of the country and opt for a clean slate.

Stevens and his Democratic opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, were tested, as were Young and likely Democratic nominee Ethan Berkowitz, the former House Minority Leader. The party identification breakdown was 31% Republican, 20% Democratic and 49% independent or other. Berkowitz 51% vs. Young 40%

Berkowitz said he’d “have a voice inside the tent” to advocate for ANWR oil drilling, since it is the Democrats who are in control of both houses of Congress. He also said 80 villages could be equipped with wind power for $150 million, and Alaska has geothermal, biomass and “80 percent of America’s tidal potential.”

Berkowitz said Americans need to end their dependence on foreign oil. “This country exports $700 billion every year buying foreign oil. So let’s do energy right,” he said. “It’s the greatest thing we can do for family budgets. It’s the greatest thing we can do for jobs. It’s the greatest thing we can do for America’s energy independence.”

Fmr. State House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D) 51% — Rep. Don Young (R) 40%. These numbers are virtually unchanged from May, when Berkowitz led 50%-40%.

If 2008 election for Congress were held today, for whom would you vote for if the choices were between Ethan Berkowitz, the Democrat, and Don Young, the Republican? Young (R) 40 (40) — Berkowitz (D) 51 (50)

Three political candidates participated in the Anchorage PrideFest 2008 Parade and Festival on the Park Strip, adding a strong political presence to this year’s LGBT Pride. Berkowitz, also running for the US House of Representatives, supported same-sex partner benefits as a state legislator, and includes sexual orientation and partner benefits in his civil rights statement.