There's really only one race on the primary ballot Tuesday in which the outcome is in any doubt. That's the race on the Republican ballot for lieutenant governor. Fairbanks Representative Jay Ramras, Mead Treadwell and Eddie Burke are fighting this one out, and all indications seem to suggest it's going to be close. I know all three candidates so I thought I'd be in a fairly unique position to give some perspective on the race.

Flashlight found one good sign among the numerous and criss-crossed tracks left by the herd of politic junkies running in the Alaska’s statewide primary. The Alaska Public Offices Commission seems to be moving faster, as evidenced by the APOC’s notice of a penalty levied on Alaskans for Open Government on August 5, a full 19 days before voters decide if the ballot measure the group supports will become law. The commission has long had a reputation for being under-funded, moving slowly and issuing decisions regarding campaign funding after the fact—after the votes have been cast and the alleged malfeasance has already affected an election.

The primary elections are upon us, on Tuesday, August 24. If you’ve missed our previous coverage of the big races, here are some handy links so you can refresh your familiarity with the two ballot measures and the statewide races.

Ten years ago, Lisa Murkowski was in the state house representing District 18. A year before, oil prices had dipped to a low at just over $9 per barrel, and Alaska was staring at a pretty bleak future, unable to fully fund its oil-dependent state government at those prices. Of course, we had the Constitutional Budget Reserve tucked away, which would see us through a couple of years, but after that… well, who knew?

“You’re a brave soul,” said the grizzled commercial fisherman as he watched me pitch a tent on the aft deck of the M/V Matanuska. It wasn’t a compliment. The salty dog’s tone of voice and facial expression made his true meaning clear: “You’re a complete dumbass.”

I knew attorney Ronald West was an animal lover before he showed up at the Press offices with a soda cup in hand that had dog hair stuck to it, apparently from the cup holder in his pickup truck, which has a paw-print logo sticker on the driver’s side. I knew he was an animal lover, and that he’d been defending fellow animal lover Deborah Allen in court.

Ten years ago, Lisa Murkowski was in the state house representing District 18. A year before, oil prices had dipped to a low at just over $9 per barrel, and Alaska was staring at a pretty bleak future, unable to fully fund its oil-dependent state government at those prices. Of course, we had the Constitutional Budget Reserve tucked away, which would see us through a couple of years, but after that… well, who knew?

Guest op-ed by Shelby Carpenter August 11 marks the one-year anniversary of the Anchorage Assembly's courageous decision to pass Ordinance 64, which protected all residents of Anchorage from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Even though the assembly passed Ordinance 64 by a vote of 7 to 4, Mayor Sullivan vetoed the assembly's democratic vote. In spite of lengthy testimony and thorough documentation of discrimination against gay and transgender Alaskans, Mayor Sullivan insisted that there was no evidence of discrimination in Anchorage. The absence of Ordinance 64 means that all Alaskans—gay and straight—are vulnerable to discrimination.

Coming next week: A remembrance of Senator Ted Stevens

The argument for parental notification