Matt Browner Hamlin's blog

Today the Anchorage Police Department Employee Association (APDEA) endorsed Mark Begich for US Senate. The union represents more than 500 public safety employees.

At a news conference, APDEA President Everett Robbins said the union has never endorsed a candidate in the U.S. Senate race, but did so this time because of Begich's long-standing commitment to public safety.

"I have always believed that you do not measure a person by what they say, but rather by what they accomplish," Robbins said. "What Mark Begich has accomplished in our community speaks for itself."

Here's some video footage of Mark and a huge throng of supporters marching from our primary celebration at The Anchor Pub to election central at the Egan Center. There were tons of signs and loud chants and you can see the press trying to keep up with the energy and enthusiasm of our supporters.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support Mark last night -- I hope no one lost their voice in all the chanting.

Mark passes along his thanks to his supporters across the state of Alaska. In a statement, Mark says:

"I am humbled by the enormous amount of support for my campaign statewide. Alaskans are clearly looking for a change, someone with new ideas and a new approach for solving the challenges facing our state."

"Washington, D.C. has lost touch with Alaska families and voters are looking for someone who can make that connection again. Someone who faces the same issues they face daily, whether it's accessing affordable health care, paying a heating bill, or making sure our children are getting a quality education."

"I'm looking forward to the weeks between now and the General Election where I will continue to talk to Alaska families, hear their ideas, offer solutions, and ultimately give them something to vote for in November. People want to vote for something, and they will be voting for a positive future for Alaska."

Results are still coming in from across the state, but for now it's safe to say that Mark Begich is the Democratic Party's nominee for the US Senate!

Mark won over 84% of the A-D-L ballot (the primary ballots are split between Republican and all other parties). That total is somewhat diluted by the results of minor party candidates and tomorrow we'll have a full accounting of the votes. Update: Mark won over 91% of the Democratic vote last night.

For now, Team Begich is excited and energized. We couldn't have won today in such impressive fashion without the committed support from people across Alaska. Thank you to all of our supporters and we look forward to bringing this energy and momentum forward into the general election and victory in November.

Taylor Shelton at Red, Green, & Blue has a good post up on Mark's forward thinking vision for energy policy in Alaska and America.

Despite the cloud of corruption surrounding Stevens and his perpetual pitch on ANWR drilling, Begich won’t be an escape route for those who oppose expanded domestic drilling. Begich has long supported efforts to drill in ANWR and other protected areas – not exactly the most environmentally conscious of policy proposals. This, however, may be the only common ground that Begich and Stevens hold, especially on energy and environmental policy.

Despite his stance on ANWR, Begich has a record for promoting sustainability as the mayor of Anchorage – and it appears that his energy plan as a senator would be no different. His proposal to reduce energy consumption 25% by 2018 and have a nationwide portfolio of 25% renewable sources by 2025 is definitively practical – but it also represents the bold stance that many in the Senate, especially Stevens, have refused to take on reducing carbon emissions in the US (see Begich’s energy plan here and here). So while Begich may not be the anti-drilling voice that progressive Democrats and environmental voters are looking for, he has shown himself to be incredibly aware of the problem of global warming and the solutions available to mitigating it.

As everyone knows, today is primary day in Alaska. As voters head to the polls, I want to pass along the endorsement of Mark Begich by two top Alaskan bloggers: Phil Munger of Progressive Alaska and Ryan of I Eat Gravel. Thanks for your support guys!

A message from Mark on Primary Day and sign waving in Anchorage during the morning commute.

Writing Raven of Alaska Real has a great post reporting from the Democratic National Convention about the effusive praise she's hearing for Mark Begich.

From all across the nation, these Democrats love to talk about Mark Begich.

I assumed people would not know him by name, being an Anchorage mayor. Although everyone is mentioning the Stevens corruption (more on that later in the week,) I figured that Begich would be more known as just "the democrat" that is finally really challenging Stevens - and not well-known outside of Alaska.

Boy was I wrong.

From the more expected places, like the AFL-CIO rep at the delegate meeting (see earlier post) shouting (and I mean shouting!) "God bless Mayor Begich!" - to delegates to press to people we meet on the street and light-rail, the people are rooting for Begich. Some of them have asked us to "Tell Begich, 'Good job!'" or "Tell that Mayor of yours to keep it up!"

Keep up the great work Writing Raven!