Alaska Senate Race Update; No Palin Can't Appoint Herself

Incumbent Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) retains a narrow lead over Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) as Stevens tries to retain his seat in the wake of a felon conviction. But what would happen should his lead hold?

Time to put to bed the rumors of Gov. Sarah Palin appointing herself to should Stevens win and then resign, news stories to the contrary.

Citizen reaction to former Governor Murkowski appointing his daughter, Lisa, to a vacant Senate seat in 2002 was a 2004 ballot initiative stripping the Governor of this power (56% to 44%). According to the Alaska Elections website (pdf), the 2002 initiative "repeal[s] state law by which theGovernor makes a temporary appointment of a person tofill a U.S. Senate vacancy until a special or regularelection can be held."

Under the initiative the seat would remain vacant until the election is certified and the senate meets. Existing law provides that a special election will be held within 60 to 90 days tofill a vacancy unless the vacancy occurs within 60 days of the primary election for that seat. This initiative does not change that provision.

The 2002 explanation continues: "This measure does not authorize appointment of a U.S. Senator."

Period. End of story.

That said, she could certainly resign as governor and >run for any vacant seat. (She might not even have to resign.) But she can't appoint herself or her husband or anyone else, according to the explanation that the state provided to citizens in 2002.