2010 Alaska gubernatorial election 2010 Alaska gubernatorial election The 2010 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Former Governor Sarah Palin did not run, having resigned in July 2009. Incumbent Governor Sean Parnell, who as lieutenant governor succeeded Palin following her resignation, announced that he would seek a full term. Following the primary election on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, the Democratic ticket consists of Ethan Berkowitz and Diane E. Benson running against Republican Parnell and his running mate, Mead Treadwell. In the general election Parnell/Treadwell defeated Berkowitz/Benson by a wide margin. Parnell received over 59% of the vote, which is the highest
1980 United States Senate election in Alaska presidential election and had easily won re-election to the Senate in 1974, he had never established a strong political base in Alaska. The passage of a controversial land bill earlier in the year, as opposed to a compromise bill worked out by fellow Senator Ted Stevens that failed thanks to Gravel two years prior, further harmed his re-election bid. A group of Democrats, including future governor Steve Cowper, campaigned against Gravel on the land bill issue. The sources of Gravel's campaign funds, some of which came from political action committees outside the state, also became an issue in the contest.