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View Full Version : Alaska lieutenant governor steps down over 'inappropriate comments'




Swordsmyth
10-16-2018, 07:56 PM
Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott resigned Tuesday over unspecified inappropriate comments, complicating what was already a difficult re-election fight for Gov. Bill Walker.Mallott, in his resignation letter, said his decision was "compelled by inappropriate comments I made that placed a person whom I respect and revere in a position of vulnerability."
He apologized and acknowledged that his actions had compromised Walker's ability to lead the state.
The nature of the comments remained unclear.
Mallott did not immediately return a phone message seeking details, and Walker did not take questions during a news conference with Mallott's successor, Valerie Davidson. Until Tuesday, she had served as the state health commissioner.
Walker's office also provided few details. In a statement, Walker said he learned late Monday that Mallott -- a man with whom he has shared a brother-like bond -- had made comments not suitable for his office.
"As leaders, we must hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct," Walker said.
The resignation was announced shortly after Walker participated in an at-times testy debate in Anchorage with his two chief rivals, Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Mike Dunleavy.
Davidson said she was "deeply saddened" by Mallott's resignation and "profoundly disappointed by his conduct."
"Respect for women, and the dignity of all Alaskans, is our responsibility," she said in a release.
Walker, in a separate statement, said it's too late for Mallott to remove his name from the ballot but that Mallott would not accept the position of lieutenant governor if elected. He said Davidson would assume the role of his running mate.


Walker campaign manager John-Henry Heckendorn said the campaign has been in conversations with Begich's campaign for several days about a "path forward for Alaska." He declined to go into details, but he said the conversations were prompted by concerns about Dunleavy and the dynamics of a three-way race. The talks so far have been "inconclusive" but will continue, Heckendorn said.
Libertarian Billy Toien also is running. A message was left with Begich's campaign manager.
Mallott and Walker had forged a tight bond since joining forces as part of a unity ticket in 2014. That year, they each were running for governor and saw joining together as their best shot at defeating Republican Gov. Sean Parnell.
As part of the arrangement, supported by state Democrats, Walker changed his party affiliation from Republican to undeclared and Mallott, a Democrat, abandoned his gubernatorial ambitions to be Walker's running mate. They narrowly won.

More at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/alaska-lieutenant-governor-steps-down-over-inappropriate-comments

Swordsmyth
10-19-2018, 11:39 PM
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker announced Friday he was suspending his campaign for re-election, just weeks before the November midterm elections.
The Republican-turned-independent dropped his re-election bid three days after Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned for “inappropriate comments” he made to a woman.
Walker was elected in 2014 after Mallott, a Democrat, dropped his gubernatorial bid to become Walker’s running mate.

He was running against Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Mike Dunleavy, who has been leading in the polls.
“In the time remaining, I believe we cannot win a three-way race,” Walker wrote on social media. “This week I have talked to many Alaskans to determine whether I or Mark Begich had a better chance of running a competitive race against Mike Dunleavy. The determination was made that, at this point, Begich has the better odds. Alaskans deserve a competitive race. Alaskans deserve a choice other than Mike Dunleavy.”

More at: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/alaska-gov-bill-walker-suspends-re-election-campaign-just-weeks-before-midterms