JUNEAU \u2014 <\/p>\n
Democrats in one part of Alaska have endorsed an independent candidate for U.S. Senate, bucking their party’s own nominee.<\/p>\n
The Interior Democrats, which represent the Fairbanks area and a swath of interior Alaska, voted Wednesday night to endorse independent Margaret Stock over the Democratic nominee, Ray Metcalfe.<\/p>\n
The Alaska Democratic Party remains committed to Metcalfe, party spokesman Jake Hamburg said Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Interior Democrats will not face sanctions because they have the authority to make endorsements, Hamburg said.<\/p>\n
Larry Murakami, a state party vice-chair and Interior Democrats member, said he was among those who supported backing Stock, expressing concern that Metcalfe would not mount a vigorous campaign. But he said the decision wasn’t unanimous.<\/p>\n
Metcalfe said he’s raising as much money as possible. “I’m not promising anybody anything but good, honest, ethical government,” said Metcalfe, who is an anticorruption activist.<\/p>\n
The other main candidates in the race are incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski and Libertarian Joe Miller.<\/p>\n
Recently, several Republican party officers resigned their posts so they could publicly back Miller.<\/p>\n
Miller upset Murkowski in the 2010 GOP primary only to see her wage a successful general election write-in campaign to keep her job. Miller changed his party affiliation to Libertarian for this year’s election.<\/p>\n
An email from party chairwoman Casey Steinau that highlighted Democratic candidates after the primary did not mention Metcalfe, although it did acknowledge some candidates who lost their races.<\/p>\n
Hamburg, however, said Steinau is “100 percent behind Ray.”<\/p>\n
Metcalfe, who has fought with party leaders over the direction of the party, is included in the candidate list on the party’s website.<\/p>\n
Hamburg said the party has invited Metcalfe to participate in its coordinated campaign, which provides access to voter information and other services. Metcalfe has declined.<\/p>\n
Metcalfe said he has experience running campaigns and does not need the services offered.<\/p>\n
Stock agreed to participate in the coordinated campaign before the primary, Hamburg said.<\/p>\n
Stock appreciates those who support her mission to work across party lines, said spokeswoman Amy Jackman.<\/p>\n
“We look forward to support from Democrats, independents, Libertarians and Republicans, and we are welcoming endorsements from all sources,” Jackman said.<\/p>\n