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Trump’s self-financed campaign charms Super Tuesday voters in Alaska Trump’s self-financed campaign charms Super Tuesday voters in Alaska
(6 months later)
It’s racing season in Nome, Alaska. Last week, Arne Handeland’s home hosted a team of snowmobile racers in the 2,000-mile Iron Dog. Next week, he’ll welcome dog mushers and fans of the thousand-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.It’s racing season in Nome, Alaska. Last week, Arne Handeland’s home hosted a team of snowmobile racers in the 2,000-mile Iron Dog. Next week, he’ll welcome dog mushers and fans of the thousand-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
In between, he’ll sit in the fire hall of this town of 3,800 people on the frozen Bering Sea and participate in an even bigger race. Its finish line is in Washington DC.In between, he’ll sit in the fire hall of this town of 3,800 people on the frozen Bering Sea and participate in an even bigger race. Its finish line is in Washington DC.
“I’m certainly thinking this one is somewhat more critical,” he said.“I’m certainly thinking this one is somewhat more critical,” he said.
Alaska is among 12 states holding a Republican presidential primary on Tuesday, and thanks to a confluence of low population, high representation and a profusion of candidates, Alaska will influence the nation in a way that its three electoral votes and late time zone rarely allow in November.Alaska is among 12 states holding a Republican presidential primary on Tuesday, and thanks to a confluence of low population, high representation and a profusion of candidates, Alaska will influence the nation in a way that its three electoral votes and late time zone rarely allow in November.
With 28 delegates to the Republican National Convention, Alaska has as much say in picking the Republican nominee as does Oregon. Alaska’s early primary date multiplies that influence. With five candidates still vying for the nomination, each pledged delegate – even in far-off Alaska – matters.With 28 delegates to the Republican National Convention, Alaska has as much say in picking the Republican nominee as does Oregon. Alaska’s early primary date multiplies that influence. With five candidates still vying for the nomination, each pledged delegate – even in far-off Alaska – matters.
Eight years ago, Tammie Wilson was organizing the Republican primary in the Christmas-themed town of North Pole. That was the first time Alaska Republicans made their presidential pick with a preference poll instead of a caucus.Eight years ago, Tammie Wilson was organizing the Republican primary in the Christmas-themed town of North Pole. That was the first time Alaska Republicans made their presidential pick with a preference poll instead of a caucus.
Even in -40F (-40C) conditions, people flocked to have their say. At the church where Wilson organized the event, they overflowed the parking lot and left their cars on the sides of the road, some idling unoccupied to keep them from freezing.Even in -40F (-40C) conditions, people flocked to have their say. At the church where Wilson organized the event, they overflowed the parking lot and left their cars on the sides of the road, some idling unoccupied to keep them from freezing.
“There’s nothing worse than being at the end of the line,” Wilson, now a state representative, said of the November general election. “There’s nothing worse than hearing at 4 o’clock in the afternoon that such-and-such won the presidential election.”“There’s nothing worse than being at the end of the line,” Wilson, now a state representative, said of the November general election. “There’s nothing worse than hearing at 4 o’clock in the afternoon that such-and-such won the presidential election.”
This time around, Alaska is near the front of the line, and interest is up.This time around, Alaska is near the front of the line, and interest is up.
More than 14,000 registered Republicans (voting in the preference poll is limited to party members) took part in the preference poll four years ago. This time, “we’ve printed more than 25,000 ballots; we think that’s a pretty safe number,” state party spokeswoman Suzanne Downing said.More than 14,000 registered Republicans (voting in the preference poll is limited to party members) took part in the preference poll four years ago. This time, “we’ve printed more than 25,000 ballots; we think that’s a pretty safe number,” state party spokeswoman Suzanne Downing said.
The preference poll is conducted by the state party, which uses volunteers to operate polling stations from Dutch Harbor in the far western Aleutian Islands to Barrow, the nation’s northernmost city, and Ketchikan in far south-eastern Alaska.The preference poll is conducted by the state party, which uses volunteers to operate polling stations from Dutch Harbor in the far western Aleutian Islands to Barrow, the nation’s northernmost city, and Ketchikan in far south-eastern Alaska.
Anyone receiving at least 13% of the vote on Tuesday will receive some of the state’s delegates. Selected at the state convention in April, those delegates are required to follow the poll results at the national convention.Anyone receiving at least 13% of the vote on Tuesday will receive some of the state’s delegates. Selected at the state convention in April, those delegates are required to follow the poll results at the national convention.
“Right now, we’ve just got to get a nominee that can beat Hillary or Bernie. That’s our job,” Downing said.“Right now, we’ve just got to get a nominee that can beat Hillary or Bernie. That’s our job,” Downing said.
In Kodiak, a town of 6,300 people and the nation’s fourth largest fishing port, fisherman Duncan Fields will be running the polling station at the town’s green-painted Fisherman’s Hall.In Kodiak, a town of 6,300 people and the nation’s fourth largest fishing port, fisherman Duncan Fields will be running the polling station at the town’s green-painted Fisherman’s Hall.
Related: The rise and fall of Sarah Palin: plucked away from Alaska, she lost her soul
“I think locally, we perhaps expect a larger turnout than previous years,” he said. “I’m uncertain whether or not we’ll track the national trends with regard to Trump, Rubio and Cruz, but I guess that’s what the poll is about.”“I think locally, we perhaps expect a larger turnout than previous years,” he said. “I’m uncertain whether or not we’ll track the national trends with regard to Trump, Rubio and Cruz, but I guess that’s what the poll is about.”
Personally, Fields said, “I’ve been disappointed with both the tenor of the Republican primary and the focus of the national debate.” He said he supported Jeb Bush, but he understands “that’s certainly a minority point of view”.Personally, Fields said, “I’ve been disappointed with both the tenor of the Republican primary and the focus of the national debate.” He said he supported Jeb Bush, but he understands “that’s certainly a minority point of view”.
“After the end of the day, you have to govern,” he said. “The whole point is to go out and accomplish things.”“After the end of the day, you have to govern,” he said. “The whole point is to go out and accomplish things.”
In Alaska’s state capital, Juneau, Wilson and other legislators said they are somewhat removed from the primary process because of the need to focus on the state operating budget, which is running a deficit of about $3.7bn – more than 70% of its $5.1bn total – because of low oil prices.In Alaska’s state capital, Juneau, Wilson and other legislators said they are somewhat removed from the primary process because of the need to focus on the state operating budget, which is running a deficit of about $3.7bn – more than 70% of its $5.1bn total – because of low oil prices.
Despite her distance, Wilson said she thinks Donald Trump will win the votes of a majority of Alaskans. “From what I’ve seen here, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t win,” she said.Despite her distance, Wilson said she thinks Donald Trump will win the votes of a majority of Alaskans. “From what I’ve seen here, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t win,” she said.
She thinks Trump’s self-financed campaign – the first significant one since Ross Perot in the 1990s, she said – is attractive to a lot of Alaskans. “I think they’re tired of the establishment,” she said. “That is probably the No 1 reason.”She thinks Trump’s self-financed campaign – the first significant one since Ross Perot in the 1990s, she said – is attractive to a lot of Alaskans. “I think they’re tired of the establishment,” she said. “That is probably the No 1 reason.”
The limited polling conducted in Alaska seems to back her belief. A survey conducted by the state’s largest newspaper and published in late January found 27.9% of registered Republicans favored Trump. Ted Cruz was second, with 23.8%.The limited polling conducted in Alaska seems to back her belief. A survey conducted by the state’s largest newspaper and published in late January found 27.9% of registered Republicans favored Trump. Ted Cruz was second, with 23.8%.
In Nome, Handeland said he’s expecting between 30 and 50 people to show up at the fire hall on Tuesday afternoon.In Nome, Handeland said he’s expecting between 30 and 50 people to show up at the fire hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Nome votes predominantly Democratic, and with a large number of independent or non-partisan voters, party events don’t get a big crowd.Nome votes predominantly Democratic, and with a large number of independent or non-partisan voters, party events don’t get a big crowd.
Beyond turnout, Handeland has another pressing problem: as of Sunday, his election materials hadn’t arrived. If they don’t show up, he has a backup plan.Beyond turnout, Handeland has another pressing problem: as of Sunday, his election materials hadn’t arrived. If they don’t show up, he has a backup plan.
“If push comes to shove, if the mail doesn’t come through, then I guess I’ll just wing it,” he said.“If push comes to shove, if the mail doesn’t come through, then I guess I’ll just wing it,” he said.