United States Senate elections in Alaska, 2014
Alaska's 2014 elections U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Lt. Gov • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures • School boards • Judicial • Candidate ballot access |
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 48% | 135,445 | ||
Democratic | Mark Begich Incumbent | 45.8% | 129,431 | |
Libertarian | Mark Fish | 3.7% | 10,512 | |
Independent | Ted Gianoutsos | 2% | 5,636 | |
N/A | Write-in | 0.5% | 1,376 | |
Total Votes | 282,400 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
November 4, 2014 |
August 19, 2014 |
Dan Sullivan |
Mark Begich |
Cook Political Report: Toss Up[1] Sabato's Crystal Ball: Toss Up[2] |
Voters in Alaska elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the election on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Mark Begich (D) was defeated by Dan Sullivan (R) in the general election, putting an end to the most expensive campaign in state history at that time. Given that a combined total of $39 million of satellite spending was used to target approximately 500,000 potential swing voters, the race was also the most expensive race, per capita, in the 2014 election cycle.[3]
Begich held one of the most vulnerable Senate seats going into the 2014 election. He had only served one term in the Senate and was a Democrat seeking re-election in a red state. This, combined with the unpopularity of the Affordable Care Act and Begich's support for it, made this an uphill battle for the incumbent. Begich himself believed he lost the race due to voters' disapproval of Obama, not Begich's own record.[4]
Both Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the race as a toss up.[5][6] Additionally, FiscalTimes listed it as one of the seven most vulnerable seats in the country, and The Washington Post included it on their list of the top 10 races to watch in 2014.[7]
Four Republican candidates stepped up to challenge Begich: former Commissioner of Natural Resources Dan Sullivan, Lt. Gov Mead Treadwell, Joe Miller and John Jaramillo. Sullivan, the Republican front runner in the race, triumphed over the other candidates in the primary on August 19, 2014. Sullivan led the field in both fundraising totals and polling numbers throughout the months leading up to the primary.
Begich faced Sullivan and a number of minor party challengers in the general election. Minor party candidates were predicted to have a large impact in the race, as the winner of the Senate race in both 2008 and 2010 won without a majority of the vote. Begich won the seat over former incumbent Ted Stevens (R) by 1.3 percent in 2008, while minor party candidates took in more than 5 percent of the vote in that election. Minor party candidates again took in over 5 percent of the vote in 2014. However, it was not enough to swing the race back in Begich's favor.[8]
Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
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Primary: Alaska uses a top-four primary for congressional and state-level offices. Under Alaska's top-four primary system, all candidates for a given office run in a single primary election. The top four vote-getters, regardless of partisan affiliation, then advance to the general election.[9][10][11][12]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by July 20, 2014.[13] For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 5, 2014.[14]
- See also: Alaska elections, 2014
Incumbent: The election filled the Senate seat held by Mark Begich (D). Begich was first elected in 2008.
Candidates
General election candidates
Mark Begich
Dan Sullivan
Mark Fish
Ted Gianoutsos
Sid Hill (Write-in)
August 19, 2014, primary results
ADL Primary[15]
Mark Begich - Incumbent
William Bryk
Mark Fish
Scott Kohlhaas
Thom Walker
Zachary Kile (Alaskan Independence Party)
Vic Kohring (Alaskan Independence Party)
- John Jaramillo
- Mead Treadwell - Lieutenant Governor
- Joe Miller
- Daniel S. Sullivan - Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner
- Ted Gianoutsos
- Sid Hill (Write-in)
Withdrew
Vic Kohring - Kohring withdrew in early September and endorsed Dan Sullivan[16]
Thom Walker - Walker withdrew from the race after winning the primary. He was replaced by Mark Fish on the general election ballot.[17]
Rumored but did not run
Election results
General election
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 48% | 135,445 | ||
Democratic | Mark Begich Incumbent | 45.8% | 129,431 | |
Libertarian | Mark Fish | 3.7% | 10,512 | |
Independent | Ted Gianoutsos | 2% | 5,636 | |
N/A | Write-in | 0.5% | 1,376 | |
Total Votes | 282,400 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
Primary election
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
96.6% | 58,092 | ||
William Bryk | 3.4% | 2,024 | ||
Total Votes | 60,116 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
40.1% | 44,740 | ||
Joe Miller | 32.1% | 35,904 | ||
Mead Treadwell | 24.9% | 27,807 | ||
John Jaramillo | 2.9% | 3,246 | ||
Total Votes | 111,697 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
61% | 3,167 | ||
Mark Fish | 24.9% | 1,290 | ||
Scott Kohlhaas | 14.1% | 734 | ||
Total Votes | 5,191 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
57.8% | 2,557 | ||
Zachary Kile | 42.2% | 1,869 | ||
Total Votes | 4,426 | |||
Source: Alaska Secretary of State |
Race background
Begich was a Democratic senator in a red state, making his seat one of the most vulnerable in 2014. The unpopularity of President Obama's healthcare mandate, combined with its poor implementation, was a major issue that Begich needed to overcome in order to win re-election.
Sullivan, the Republican frontrunner throughout the race, won the primary election on August 19, 2014.[18][19][20][21] He then defeated Begich in the general election.
Libertarian support
Begich's campaign spent considerable effort supporting Libertarian Mark Fish by making sure Fish was included in debates, highlighting issue positions that Begich and Fish shared and even spending money promoting Fish's campaign. Begich's communications director said in a statement, "Since many of the debate hosts won’t include Mr. Fish, Sen. Begich believes it is only fair to give Alaska voters all the information." The goal of this maneuver was to siphon away votes from Sullivan to Fish. Pollster Ivan Moore said of the strategy, "I think Begich is playing a game where if he can shake half a percent off of Sullivan and onto Fish, it’s half a percent that Sullivan hasn’t got. And that may well make the difference.”[22]
Sullivan's campaign responded to the strategy by stating, "Mark Begich is using a third-party candidate as a political tool in a shameless attempt to try and bolster his own sinking campaign. But, Alaskans know better -- they know that a vote for a third-party candidate is a vote for Mark Begich.”[22]
Native outreach
Begich's campaign employed a massive outreach program to Alaska's native population in an attempt to help him turn the tables in his difficult re-election bid. His campaign opened 16 field offices staffed by 90 people across the state, compared to Sullivan's five offices and 14 staffers which were clustered in the more heavily populated southern and eastern regions of the state. Begich said of the campaign, "We have knocked on every single door in rural Alaska. This is unbelievable. No one’s ever done it like this — ever." When polling numbers were brought up Begich responded, "I don’t care if we’re up or down. We’re winning on the ground because we will turn out more voters."[23]
Murder victim ads
Begich's campaign released an ad on August 29, 2014, accusing Sullivan of letting a sex offender be released from prison early due to a mistake missing his earlier felony conviction. The criminal then allegedly murdered a couple and sexually assaulted an elderly woman and an infant. The ad referred to the case of Jerry Active, who was awaiting trial at the time of the election.[24]
In response to Begich's ad, Sullivan released his own, accusing Begich of lying in his claim that Sullivan "let a lot of sex offenders get off with light sentences." Sullivan's campaign also showed that the mistake that led to Jerry Active's release happened before Sullivan became attorney general.[24]
After both candidates' ads began airing on television, the lawyer of the victims' family asked both candidates to take down their ads. He said that the ads could potentially affect the jury's decision in the upcoming trial. Sullivan's campaign agreed to remove the ad, stating, "Mark Begich began this distasteful and offensive debate, and our campaign is pleased we could play a role along with the victims' attorney to end it."[25] Begich, however, did not agree to take down his ad. Instead, the ad was altered to "remove any potential reference to the pending criminal case," according to Begich's campaign. In response to this, the family's lawyer, Bryon Collins, sent a letter to Begich's campaign asking to remove all ads and references to the case. The letter said, "You are tearing this family apart to the point that your ad was so shocking to them they now want to permanently leave the state as quickly as possible. Again, to be perfectly clear, it was your ad that shocked them."[26]
Debates
Begich and Sullivan participated in their first debate on August 27, 2014. The debate was hosted in Anchorage by the group United for Liberty. Begich presented himself as the more experienced candidate who knows how Congress operates, while Sullivan emphasized a distrust of Congress. A straw poll was taken following the debate, which showed Begich as the winner due to larger support from Independent voters.[27]
Campaign spending
Put Alaska First, a super PAC that supported incumbent Begich, announced plans to buy over $4 million in ads prior to the general election.[28] In response to this news, a number of Republican groups reserved airtime following the primary. Sullivan bought $480,000 in ads from September 23 through November 4. American Crossroads reserved $5.5 million in ads, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee also reserved $2.2 million in ads.[29][30]
Minor party candidates
Minor party candidates were expected to play a large role in this election. In 2010 and 2008, a candidate won election to the U.S. Senate without a majority of the votes. Begich defeated incumbent Ted Stevens (R) to win the seat in 2008 by 1.3 percent, while minor party candidates took in over 5 percent of the vote. These candidates were ultimately not enough for Begich's re-election efforts to succeed, although minor party candidates did take in over 5 percent of the vote in 2014.[8]
Primary endorsements
On August 14, 2014, Joe Miller agreed to endorse the winner of the Republican primary in order to help defeat Begich in November. Prior to this announcement, Miller had not ruled out a potential run as an independent in November if he were defeated in the primary. Sullivan and Mead Treadwell had previously agreed to back the winner of the GOP primary.[31]
Democratic meddling
An outside group, Put Alaska First PAC, spent over $4 million in ads opposing GOP front-runner Sullivan. Republicans accused the group and Democrats of "meddling" in the GOP primary in an attempt to face an easier general election race. Supporters of incumbent Begich said that the ads were not meant for the primary and had general election appeal. Art Hackney, a Republican operative in Alaska, said of the ads, "They’re trying simply to make sure Dan Sullivan is damaged goods. They’ve put a lot of money behind it, and, frankly, they’ve turned it into a primary that’s possible to go almost any way."[32]
Race ratings
Most vulnerable seats
The Fiscal Times compiled a list of the seven most vulnerable Senate seats up for election in 2014. The seven included in the list were: Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia. Going into the 2014 election, all seven seats were held by Democrats.[7]
Early polling indicated that Gov. Sean Parnell (R) could have been Begich’s strongest opponent, but Parnell decided not to enter the race. The seat was considered a toss-up.[7]
Washington Post top 10 races
According to an analysis by The Washington Post, the U.S. Senate election in Alaska was considered one of the top 10 Senate races of 2014. When Alaska attorney general Dan Sullivan entered the race in late 2013, the Republican primary field became even more murky.[33]
Issues
ISIS
Following President Barack Obama's speech on September 10, 2014, about military action against ISIS, incumbent Mark Begich said the following: "I just don’t believe the president’s right on funding the rebels. I still don’t come away with a feeling that we know who they are. We may know who they are today, but what are they going to be like six months from now?" He also said that other countries in the region should be the ones to fight the terrorist group on the ground. "They should be the ones putting boots on the ground. They should be the ones putting money on the table to support the weapons and the training and so forth. They are the most at risk.”[34]
Sullivan's residency
Residency issues plagued Sullivan since his entry into the race. It was questioned whether Sullivan was eligible for a Maryland tax break known as the Homestead exemption that he had been receiving on his Maryland home. Sullivan was benefiting from the tax break in 2008, while at the same time voting in Alaska by mail. It was ruled that Sullivan properly received the tax breaks. In response to the investigation and ruling Sullivan's campaign said, "Mark Begich's liberal allies have made it abundantly clear he is willing to say or do anything to shamefully distort Dan's record, and this time was clearly no different."[35]
Mark Begich
Begich's campaign website listed the following issues among others. For a full list of issue statements, click here.
“ |
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—Mark Begich's campaign website, http://www.markbegich.com/priorities/ |
Dan Sullivan
Sullivan's campaign website listed the following issues among others. For a full list of issue statements, click here.
“ |
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—Dan Sullivan's campaign website, http://www.sullivan2014.com/ |
Republican primary
Obama impeachment
In a debate the week prior to the primary, candidate Joe Miller insisted that, "It’s time to impeach this president for dereliction of duty, selectively enforcing the law, and usurping powers that the Constitution does not authorize. He is willfully undermining the rule of law and creating chaos." Miller also called on the other Republican candidates in the race to join his support of the impeachment. Neither candidate took him up on his offer.[37]
As a result of his call for impeachment, Miller's popularity on Facebook surged. This popularity increase was measured by "People Talking About This" data or PTAT. Miller's PTAT statistic increased by over 30 times its average in the past several months and surpassed that of both Sullivan and Treadwell.[37] In the end, Miller was unable to overcome Sullivan's primary lead. However, he did take second place in the Republican primary.[38]
Immigration
Miller emphasized immigration as a key issue in this race. During a debate held on August 10, 2014, Miller asked primary opponents Treadwell and Sullivan to sign an anti-amnesty pledge reading, "I will oppose any attempt by Congress or the President to grant amnesty (any pathway to citizenship) for illegal aliens." Both Treadwell and Sullivan refused to sign the pledge.[39]
Mead Treadwell
Treadwell's campaign website listed the following issues among others. For a full list of issue statements, click here.
“ |
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” |
—Mead Treadwell's campaign website, https://web.archive.org/web/2/http://www.treadwellalaska.com/issues |
Key votes
Below are important votes the incumbent cast.
Government shutdown
- See also: United States budget debate, 2013
During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[40] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Mark Begich voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[41]
Obamacare
Begich voted in favor of H.R. 3590 (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). The bill passed the Senate 60-39 on December 24, 2009.[42]
Endorsements
Governor Sean Parnell decided to stay neutral in the Republican primary and did not endorse either his lieutenant governor, Mead Treadwell, or his former director of natural resources, Dan Sullivan. He stated, "I think both could be excellent U.S. senators, so I’ve chosen to stay out of taking an official position."[43]
Dan Sullivan
- Club for Growth PAC: Former Club President Chris Chocola said, "Dan Sullivan is a fiscal conservative with a stellar track record in Alaska and we strongly endorse him for the United States Senate. Dan has fought for pro-growth tax reform, taken on ObamaCare in court, and beaten back federal overreach by Obama’s EPA. In the Senate, Dan Sullivan will continue the fight for economic freedom and we can’t wait to see him help deliver for America the kinds of pro-growth policies he’s already delivered for Alaska."[44]
- Condoleezza Rice: Rice endorsed Sullivan in a campaign ad for American Crossroads. In the ad she said, "Dan Sullivan is tireless in his defense of this country. He showed that in his service in the military, and he showed that in his service in the White House and in the State Department. Now, Dan faces political attacks because he wanted his family by his side. Remember that serving our country required some time in our capital. Dan will be a great senator because he loves and cares for the state of Alaska, and he's a great family man."[45]
- Support and Defend PAC: The national veterans group endorsed Sullivan in late July 2014. President and founder Grant Moody said, "We are excited to endorse Dan. We are confident he’ll be a strong voice for the values of economic freedom and good governance that we champion, and that he’ll represent the state of Alaska with the clarity of focus and strength of character that have been instilled in him throughout his military service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve."[46]
Joe Miller
- Sarah Palin, who said in her endorsement statement, "We said we'd send the good guys in Washington their reinforcements, so, Alaska, here we go! Vote for Joe Miller on Tuesday and shake off the liberal stronghold so we can get on the right track."[47]
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who said in his endorsement statement, "Joe Miller is a true constitutional conservative with a vision to protect our borders and restore America".[48]
- The Gun Owners of America’s Political Victory Fund and the National Association for Gun Rights PAC, two of the most prominent groups which advocate Second Amendment rights, endorsed Miller.[49]
- Alaska Right to Life PAC: "The pro-life position Joe Miller takes isn’t merely a common political platitude, but is centered in the core of who he is. Joe will be a champion for the pro-life cause in Washington and is exactly the caliber of man we need representing Alaska in the US Senate. Alaska Right to Life’s Political Action Committee is proud to endorse him."[50]
Mead Treadwell
- RedState Editor-in-Chief Erick Erickson: Treadwell "is better on the stand your ground law in Alaska than his opponent."[51]
Media
Begich released a radio ad on August 19, 2013, highlighting his opposition to the No Child Left Behind Act. The ad stated that the No Child Left Behind Act does not work with the diversity of Alaska's schools.[52]
Dan Sullivan
Supporting
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Opposing
Put Alaska First released four ads opposing Sullivan.[53] VoteVets.org also released an ad opposing Sullivan for not protecting the rights of Alaskans.[54]
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Mark Begich
Supporting
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Begich's campaign released the following ad referring to himself and fellow Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski as a great team that shouldn't be broken up. In response to the ad, Murkowski sent Begich a "cease and desist" letter in an attempt to get the ad taken down.[55]
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Opposing
Americans for Prosperity released an ad opposing Begich for not keeping his word.[56] The American Energy Alliance also released an ad targeting Begich for supporting the Carbon Tax.[57]
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Polls
Begich vs. Sullivan
Mark Begich vs. Dan Sullivan | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Mark Begich | Dan Sullivan | Not Sure/Other | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
Rasmussen Reports (October 27-30, 2014) | 42% | 47% | 11% | +/-4 | 887 | ||||||||||||||
Moore Information - for Dan Sullivan (October 26-28, 2014) | 38% | 42% | 20% | +/-4 | 500 | ||||||||||||||
Harstad Research - for Senate Majority PAC and Put Alaska First (October 18-22, 2014) | 44% | 44% | 12% | +/-4 | 700 | ||||||||||||||
Hellenthal Associates (October 15-21, 2014) | 49% | 39% | 12% | +/-4.88 | 403 | ||||||||||||||
Rasmussen Reports (October 8-12, 2014) | 45% | 48% | 7% | +/-4 | 700 | ||||||||||||||
Fox News Poll (October 4-7, 2014) | 40% | 44% | 16% | +/-3.5 | 707 | ||||||||||||||
CNN/ORC Poll (October 1-6, 2014) | 44% | 50% | 6% | +/-3.5 | 704 | ||||||||||||||
Hickman Analytics, Inc. (September 26-October 2, 2014) | 41% | 46% | 13% | +/-4.9 | 400 | ||||||||||||||
Rasmussen Reports (September 23-24, 2014) | 43% | 48% | 9% | +/-4 | 750 | ||||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (September 18-21, 2014) | 41% | 43% | 16% | +/-3.6 | 880 | ||||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (May 8-11, 2014) | 43% | 37% | 20% | +/-4.1 | 582 | ||||||||||||||
Dan Sullivan internal poll (April 27-28, 2014) | 44% | 42% | 14% | +/-4 | 500 | ||||||||||||||
Harper Polling (September 24-25, 2013) | 43% | 41% | 16% | +/-3.62 | 731 | ||||||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Mark Begich vs. Dan Sullivan/3rd Party candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Mark Begich | Dan Sullivan | Zachary Kile | Ted Gianoutsos | Sidney Hill | Not Sure | Margin of Error | Sample Size | |||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (January 30-February 1, 2014) | 41% | 37% | 6% | 1% | 2% | 13% | +/-3.4 | 850 | |||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Republican primary
Republican primary | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Joe Miller | Daniel S. Sullivan | Mead Treadwell | Other/Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | |||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (July 31-August 3, 2014) | 20% | 35% | 29% | 16% | +/-5.3 | 337 | |||||||||||||
Moore Information (July 29-31, 2014) | 16% | 35% | 27% | 22% | +/-5.5 | 375 | |||||||||||||
Mark Hellenthal (June 17-28, 2014) | 21% | 35% | 31% | 13% | +/-4.9 | 392 | |||||||||||||
Moore Information - for Dan Sullivan (June 16-18, 2014) | 17% | 42% | 25% | 16% | +/-4 | 500 | |||||||||||||
Dittman Research (May 27-29, 2014) | 12% | 37% | 35% | 16% | +/-4.4 | 500 | |||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (May 8-11, 2014) | 14% | 40% | 26% | 20% | +/-5.5 | 313 | |||||||||||||
Dan Sullivan internal poll (April 27-28, 2014) | 12% | 38% | 22% | 28% | +/-4 | 500 | |||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (January 30-February 1, 2014) | 20% | 30% | 25% | 23% | +/-4.7 | 442 | |||||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Begich vs. Treadwell
Mark Begich vs. Mead Treadwell | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Mark Begich | Mead Treadwell | Not Sure/Other | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (May 8-11, 2014) | 41% | 33% | 26% | +/-4.1 | 582 | ||||||||||||||
Harper Polling (September 24-25, 2013) | 43% | 42% | 15% | +/-3.62 | 731 | ||||||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Mark Begich vs. Mead Treadwell/3rd Party candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Mark Begich | Mead Treadwell | Zachary Kile | Ted Gianoutsos | Sidney Hill | Not Sure | Margin of Error | Sample Size | |||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (January 30-February 1, 2014) | 43% | 37% | 5% | 1% | 1% | 13% | +/-3.4 | 850 | |||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Begich vs. Miller
Mark Begich vs. Joe Miller | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Mark Begich | Joe Miller | Not Sure | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (May 8-11, 2014) | 43% | 27% | 30% | +/-4.1 | 582 | ||||||||||||||
Harper Polling (September 24-25, 2013) | 55% | 28% | 18% | +/-3.62 | 731 | ||||||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Mark Begich vs. Joe Miller/3rd Party candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Mark Begich | Joe Miller | Zachary Kile | Ted Gianoutsos | Sidney Hill | Not Sure | Margin of Error | Sample Size | |||||||||||
Public Policy Polling (January 30-February 1, 2014) | 45% | 25% | 5% | 1% | 2% | 21% | +/-3.4 | 850 | |||||||||||
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org |
Campaign contributions
Candidate ballot access |
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Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
Pre-Primary
Begich maintained a fundraising edge over all Republican challengers in the weeks leading up to the primary. He had raised a grand total of $6,340,423 and had just over $2 million left on hand.[58] Sullivan led the Republican field with just over $4 million in total contributions and just under $1 million on hand.[59] Next up was Treadwell who had received $1.2 million in campaign contributions and reported $141,743 on hand.[60] Miller trailed behind the rest of the candidates with $327,781 in total contributions and $188,236 on hand.[61]
Mark Begich
Mark Begich (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
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Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
April Quarterly[62] | April 15, 2013 | $952,260.37 | $947,943.67 | $(382,271.15) | $1,517,932.89 | ||||
July Quarterly[63] | July 15, 2013 | $1,517,932.89 | $993,064.55 | $(462,594.51) | $2,048,402.93 | ||||
October Quarterly[64] | October 15, 2013 | $2,048,402.93 | $813,189.58 | $(428,646.86) | $2,432,945.65 | ||||
Year-End[65] | January 31, 2014 | $2,432,945 | $849,363 | $(473,012) | $2,809,296 | ||||
April Quarterly[66] | April 15, 2014 | $2,809,281 | $1,045,615 | $(1,035,974) | $2,819,472 | ||||
July Quarterly[67] | July 15, 2014 | $2,819,472 | $1,268,202 | $(1,933,882) | $2,153,792 | ||||
Pre-Primary[68] | August 4, 2014 | $2,153,792 | $423,046 | $(515,394) | $2,061,443 | ||||
October Quarterly[69] | October 12, 2014 | $2,061,443 | $1,515,166 | $(2,380,003) | $1,196,607 | ||||
Pre-General[70] | October 20, 2014 | $1,196,607 | $511,783 | $(986,884) | $721,505 | ||||
Running totals | |||||||||
$8,367,372.8 | $(8,598,661.52) |
Daniel Sullivan
Daniel Sullivan (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
Year-End[71] | January 31, 2014 | $0 | $1,276,151 | $(158,723) | $1,117,427 | ||||
April Quarterly[72] | April 14, 2014 | $1,117,427 | $1,365,035 | $(549,140) | $1,933,335 | ||||
July Quarterly[73] | July 15, 2014 | $1,933,335 | $1,162,842 | $(1,385,667) | $1,710,510 | ||||
Pre-Primary[74] | August 4, 2014 | $1,710,510 | $264,329 | $(981,916) | $992,924 | ||||
October Quarterly[75] | October 15, 2014 | $992,924 | $2,547,472 | $(2,378,457) | $1,161,938 | ||||
Pre-General[76] | October 23, 2014 | $1,161,938 | $501,180 | $(1,213,612) | $449,506 | ||||
Running totals | |||||||||
$7,117,009 | $(6,667,515) |
Mead Treadwell
Mead Treadwell (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
April Quarterly[77] | July 15, 2013 | $10,000.00 | $10,300.00 | $(11,660.43) | $8,639.57 | ||||
July Quarterly[78] | July 15, 2013 | $8,639.57 | $170,270.51 | $(48,560.77) | $130,349.31 | ||||
October Quarterly[79] | October 15, 2013 | $130,349.31 | $196,307.58 | $(171,769.14) | $154,887.75 | ||||
Year-End[80] | January 29, 2014 | $154,887 | $229,056 | $(289,140) | $94,803 | ||||
April Quarterly[81] | April 15, 2014 | $94,803 | $344,507 | $(262,043) | $177,268 | ||||
July Quarterly[82] | July 16, 2014 | $177,268 | $164,468 | $(174,688) | $167,047 | ||||
Pre-Primary[83] | August 5, 2014 | $167,047 | $92,072 | $(117,376) | $141,743 | ||||
Running totals | |||||||||
$1,206,981.09 | $(1,075,237.34) |
**As of the Pre-Primary Report, Treadwell's campaign committee owed $248,445 in outstanding loans to Mead Treadwell.
Joe Miller
Joe Miller (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
April Quarterly[84] | April 15, 2013 | $426,783.51 | $47.14 | $(850.00) | $425,980.65 | ||||
July Quarterly[85] | July 15, 2013 | $425,980.65 | $18,394.34 | $(126,920.07) | $317,454.92 | ||||
October Quarterly[86] | October 15, 2013 | $317,454.92 | $13,691.00 | $(43,440.49) | $287,705.43 | ||||
Year-End[87] | January 31, 2014 | $287,705 | $30,490 | $(86,489) | $231,705 | ||||
April Quarterly[88] | April 15, 2014 | $231,705 | $101,400 | $(37,751) | $295,354 | ||||
July Quarterly[89] | July 15, 2014 | $295,354 | $129,504 | $(121,297) | $303,561 | ||||
Pre-Primary[90] | August 4, 2014 | $303,561 | $34,255 | $(149,580) | $188,236 | ||||
Running totals | |||||||||
$327,781.48 | $(566,327.56) |
Satellite spending
As of October 2014, Alaska's U.S. Senate race had attracted roughly $25 million in satellite spending. Of this money, $4,863,634 went to support Begich while $8,271,708 was spent in opposition of him. Sullivan had $1,941,853 spent supporting him and $9,571,090 spent in opposition. The remaining money was spent prior to the primary on Treadwell and Miller.[91] A total of $39 million worth of outside money was ultimately spent on the race.[3]
Mark Begich
- Put Alaska First PAC was by far the biggest satellite spender in the race. The PAC spent $7,317,459 supporting Begich and opposing Sullivan.[91]
- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) came in second with spending totaling $1,760,952.
- The League of Conservation Voters was the next biggest liberal spender in the race. It spent $1.4 million in support of incumbent Begich.[91]
- Alaska SalmonPAC also spent nearly $1 million in support of Begich.[91]
- Additionally, the following groups spent over $100,000 to assist in Begich's re-election: NEA Advocacy Fund, Planned Parenthood Votes, the Democratic Party of Alaska, the International Association of Fire Fighters and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.[91]
Dan Sullivan
- Crossroads GPS was the second largest spender in the race. It spent over $2.5 million opposing Begich.[91]
- The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spent $2,364,570 in opposition of Begich.[91]
- American Crossroads was the next largest spender in the Senate race. It spent $2,179,140 in support of Sullivan.[91]
- The final group that spent over $1 million in this race was the National Association of Realtors. It spent $1,388,591 supporting Sullivan.[91]
- Additionally, the following groups spent over $100,000 to support Sullivan or oppose Begich: Alaska's Energy/America's Values, Freedom Partners Action Fund and Club for Growth Action.[91]
Election history
2010
On November 2, 2010, Lisa Murkowski won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Joe Miller (R), Scott T. McAdams (D), Frederick Haase (L), Tim Carter (Nonaffiliated) and Ted Gianoutsos (Nonaffiliated) in the general election.[92]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Mark Begich won election to the United States Senate. He defeated Ted Stevens (R), Bob Bird (Alaskan Independence), Frederick Haase (L) and Ted Gianoutsos (NPA) in the general election.[93]
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Alaska, 2014
- United States Senate elections, 2014
- Mark Begich
- Daniel S. Sullivan
- Mead Treadwell
- Joe Miller
External links
- The Washington Post, The top 10 races of 2014: No. 8 (VIDEO)
- Alaska Division of Elections, August 19, 2014 Primary Candidate List
Footnotes
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 SENATE RACE RATINGS FOR JULY 18, 2014," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 Senate Races," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Los Angeles Times, "Alaska Senate race becomes most expensive campaign in state's history," October 30, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Dispatch News, "Begich says Obama discontent, not Active ad, cost him Senate seat," November 22, 2014
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 SENATE RACE RATINGS FOR JULY 18, 2014," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 Senate Races," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Fiscal Times, "7 Senate Seats Most at Risk—Hint: They’re All Blue" accessed February 15, 2013
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Alaska Dispatch News, "Third-party candidates could tip scales in Alaska's US Senate race," July 10, 2014
- ↑ NCSL, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ FairVote, "Primaries," accessed October 25, 2019
- ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "August 18, 2020 Primary Election Information," accessed January 24, 2020
- ↑ DMV.org, "Voter Registration in Alaska," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑ State of Alaska Division of Elections "2014 Election Dates and Hours," accessed February 19, 2014
- ↑ In Alaska, candidates from the Democratic, Libertarian and Alaskan Independence parties all appear on the same ballot. The candidate who receives the most votes from each party then advances to the general election.
- ↑ Newsminer.com, "Independence party candidate exits US Senate race," September 3, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Dispatch News, "Alaska Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate withdraws," August 27, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "2014 Alaska Senate Primaries Results," accessed August 20, 2014
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Alaska Dispatch News, "In tight US Senate race, the enemy of Begich's enemy is his friend," October 28, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "In Alaska’s remote villages, Begich quietly built an advantage on the ground," October 4, 2014
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Alaska Dispatch News, "Sullivan wants 'deceitful' ad about Mt. View killings off air; Begich campaign stands by it," August 29, 2014
- ↑ KTUU, "Murder Victims’ Family Lawyer Asks Senate Candidates to Stop Running Ads," August 31, 2014
- ↑ The Hill, "Begich takes heat for Willie Horton-style ad," September 2, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Public Media, "Senate Candidates Stake Ground In Unconventional First Debate," August 28, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Dispatch, "Begich super PAC will drop more than $4M on campaign ads," accessed May 19, 2014
- ↑ Politico Pro, "Campaigns," accessed May 19, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "READ IN: Friday, May 16, 2014: No earmarks in WRRDA, Ernst leads Iowa field, Crossroads lands in Alaska, White House has ‘commitment’ from Boehner, and Biden’s book royalties," May 16, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Senate Republicans catch a break in Alaska," August 15, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Alaska primary a test of Democratic ‘meddling’," August 19, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Fix’s top 10 Senate races of 2014," accessed December 10, 2013
- ↑ Newsminer.com, "Alaska's members of Congress react to Obama's ISIS speech," September 11, 2014
- ↑ Alaska Public Media, "Dems Ask Maryland to Investigate Sullivan Tax Breaks," September 4, 2014
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 The Hill, "In Alaska, candidate's call for impeachment resonates on Facebook," August 18, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Key Senate Primaries Results by State," accessed August 20, 2014
- ↑ Breitbart, "Two Alaska GOP Senate Candidates Refuse to Sign Anti-Amnesty Pledge," August 11, 2014
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
- ↑ Senate.gov, "H.R. 2775 As Amended," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ United States Senate, "Roll Call - H.R. 3590," accessed August 13, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Parnell staying out of Alaska Sen. race," November 21, 2013
- ↑ Club for Growth, "Club for Growth PAC Endorses Dan Sullivan For U.S. Senate," March 12, 2014
- ↑ The Hill, "Condoleezza Rice backs Dan Sullivan in Alaska," March 24, 2014
- ↑ Dan Sullivan's campaign website, "Sullivan Endorsed by National Veterans Group," accessed August 13, 2014
- ↑ Fox News, "Palin backs Tea Party favorite Joe Miller for Alaska GOP Senate nod", August 15, 2014
- ↑ Western Journalism, "Sheriff Joe Arpaio Endorses Joe Miller In Alaska Senate Race", August 8, 2014
- ↑ Delta News Web, "National Association for Gun Rights PAC Endorses Joe Miller for U.S. Senate," March 18, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ People's Pundit Daily, "Alaska Senate Candidate Joe Miller Picks Up Key Endorsement From Pro-Life Group," April 17, 2014
- ↑ Treadwell for United States Senate, "Red State’S Erickson Endorses Mead Treadwell," June 18, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "Mark Begich launching ad on education," August 19, 2013
- ↑ YouTube, "Put Alaska First - Sullivan's Real Home," accessed February 13, 2014
- ↑ Youtube, ""Oath" - VoteVets.org Ad In Alaska," accessed July 2, 2014
- ↑ The Hill, "Murkowski sends 'cease and desist' letter to Begich over ad," August 7, 2014
- ↑ YouTube, "Senator Begich Needs to Keep His Word," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ YouTube, "Two Begiches," accessed July 2, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich April Quarterly," accessed July 22, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich July Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich October Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich Year-End," accessed February 14, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich July Quarterly," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich October Quarterly," accessed October 24, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mark Begich Pre-General," accessed November 24, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan Year-End," accessed February 14, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan July Quarterly," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan October Quarterly," accessed October 24, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Daniel Sullivan Pre-General," accessed November 24, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell April Quarterly," accessed July 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell July Quarterly," accessed July 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell October Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell Year-End," accessed February 14, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell July Quarterly," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mead Treadwell Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller April Quarterly," accessed July 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller July Quarterly," accessed July 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller October Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller Year-End," accessed February 14, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller April Quarterly," accessed April 29, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller July Quarterly," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Joe Miller Pre-Primary," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ 91.0 91.1 91.2 91.3 91.4 91.5 91.6 91.7 91.8 91.9 Open Secrets, "Alaska Senate Race - Outside Spending," accessed October 8, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013