Ken McCarty drops out of Eagle River Senate race, endorses incumbent’s challenger
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In a continuing trend of Republican challengers dropping out of races to consolidate support behind another Republican and increase the candidate’s chances of beating the incumbent, former Eagle River Rep. Ken McCarty is the latest to do it.
McCarty filed paperwork Wednesday morning to withdraw from the Eagle River Senate race.
When asked what led him to drop out, McCarty echoed fellow Republicans in saying that ranked-choice voting is confusing and he was worried that if he stayed in the race, his supporters would not list a second choice in the general election.
He said the goal in this race is to beat the incumbent, Republican Sen. Kelly Merrick.
Merrick is facing stiff competition from Republican challenger Jared Goecker. Merrick and Goecker were essentially tied after the primary with less than 100 votes separating them.
McCarty finished fourth in the primary with 777 votes, while Democrat Lee Hammermeister finished third with 996 votes.
The former state representative says he will join fellow Republican Sharon Jackson, who was eliminated in the primary, in endorsing Goecker.
“After careful consideration and numerous discussions with supporters and community leaders, I have decided to withdraw from the race for the Alaska State Senate,” McCarty said. “I am proud to endorse Jared Goecker, who shares our core conservative values and has demonstrated the ability to defeat Kelly Merrick. I believe Jared is the best candidate to represent our interests and advance our shared goals in the State Senate.”
Goecker said he was deeply “honored and grateful for his endorsement.”
“Following last week’s primary, Ken and I have talked every day to review the numbers and strategize on the best path forward,” Goecker said. “We have enjoyed a good relationship throughout this entire election, and I deeply appreciate the careful and methodical approach Ken applied to this process.
“This is a prudent calculated strategy; the best path forward is to consolidate behind a single conservative. Together, we will work towards a prosperous and resilient future for Alaska.”
Before the primary, many of Merrick’s Republican challengers questioned her conservative values, claiming her voting record doesn’t represent the values of Eagle River voters.
McCarty and others have pointed to Merrick not supporting House Majority members in fighting for a higher PFD or voting to support the governor’s veto of the comprehensive education package, which the governor called a spending bill that did nothing to improve education outcomes.
Goecker has also criticized her for caucusing with a bipartisan Senate Majority, which he views to be more progressive than conservative.
Before the primary, Merrick called the Republican challengers’ allegations against her out of context. The incumbent said that as an elected senator, she puts good policy ahead of loyalty to one party.
Merrick also said that working across the aisle to achieve bipartisan legislation that improves the outcomes of all Alaskans should not be frowned upon.
The Eagle River senator said that fellow Eagle River representatives also supported some of the legislation that she is being criticized for voting in support of.
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