Politics of Alaska best performance, with a net gain of 7.5 percentage points. In 2008, Governor Sarah Palin became the first Republican woman to run on a national ticket when she became John McCain's running mate. She continued to be a prominent national figure even after resigning from the governor's job in July 2009. Politics of Alaska Political party strength in Alaska has varied over the years. The communities of Juneau, Sitka, downtown and midtown Anchorage, the areas surrounding the College/University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and Ester and the "Alaska Bush" – rural, sparsely populated Alaska – stand out as Democratic strongholds, while
Pete Kelly (Alaska politician) of the Finance Committee. Kelly returned to the Senate after winning election in 2012, representing District B. He co-chaired the Senate Finance Committee as well as the Joint Armed Services Committee Kelly won reelection to the senate in 2014, redistricted to District A. He serves as the co-chair of the Finance Committee. Pete Kelly (Alaska politician) Pete Kelly (born June 3, 1956 in Fairbanks, Alaska) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Alaska Senate. He has served in the Alaska Senate since January 18, 2013, representing District A. He has served as President of the Alaska State