Palin a pull with voters

WASILLA — For the first time in the Mat-Su Valley’s history, a local is on the presidential ticket.

The Internet is awash with speculation about what Gov. Sarah Palin has done for Republican Sen. John McCain’s bid for the presidency. But will having her on the ticket mean anything for local politicians seeking election to offices not quite as lofty?

The answer, from a handful of Valley candidates, is a resounding maybe.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of new voters coming out for [Democratic presidential candidate Barack] Obama and I think there’s going to be more people coming out for Palin,” said Bill Stoltze, who represents Chugiak and Butte in the state House of Representatives. “I’m not worried about how it washes out one way or the other.”

His opponent, Beverly Serrano, said much the same.

“The only thing that I can say is being that I am a Democrat, it may hurt me,” Serrano said. “But the support for those on the Democratic ticket that are also running at this time may even draw for me as well.”

She was speaking about Obama, but also about Democrats Ethan Berkowitz and Mark Begich, who are running to replace Republican incumbents Don Young and Ted Stevens in the U.S. House and Senate respectively.

In the wake of Stevens’ conviction on federal charges of income disclosure violations and amid rumors that Young might be next on federal prosecutors’ list, for the first time in a long time Democrats are seen as possibly having those seats in their grasp.

Between those races and Palin’s candidacy, “I don’t know which one’s going to outweigh the other,” Serrano said.

Over in Wasilla, Republican incumbent Wes Keller, appointed to fill imprisoned former lawmaker Vic Kohring’s seat when the Wasilla Republican stepped down to focus on his legal defense, said he’s sure Palin will bring out voters. But which way they vote after checking the box for McCain/Palin is another matter.

“I wondered if it would be much difference,” he said. But, really, Keller said, the overall winner is democracy.

“The more voters the better in every way,” he said. “It couldn’t be better. It’s a very positive thing.”

Keller said he thought Palin has managed to turn the focus on the campaign from that other issue so prevalent in voter’s mind — corruption.

“Her cleaning up the system like that puts the responsibility and the focus back on the voter,” Keller said.

Keller’s Democratic opponent, Rose Smith, did not return a call Monday seeking comment.

Over in Palmer, David Cheezem, who is taking on incumbent Republican Carl Gatto in the race to represent Palmer and Hatcher Pass, echoed Keller’s questions about how a Palin voter will decide the rest of the ballot.

“I certainly have people from across the political spectrum saying that they’re going to vote for me, whether Republican or Democrat,” Cheezem said. “And that’s the way it should be. We’re looking at who is the best person for the job.”

Gatto did not return a call seeking comment as of press time.

“I think all we know is that the turnout is going to be huge,” Cheezem said.