Berkowitz wins Democratic gubernatorial primary

Ethan Berkowitz's opposition to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, the state's strategy to build a natural gas pipeline, seem to resonate with voters in the Democratic primary for governor.

At the end of the night, Berkowitz had a strong lead of 48 percent. State Sen. Hollis French, a staunch support of AGIA, was in second place with 41 percent.

Berkowitz wasted no time in going after his apparent Republican opponent in the November general election, incumbent Gov. Sean Parnell.

"Alaska's ready for change, Alaska needs tough leadership, Alaska needs leadership that's willing and able to deliver on a gas line and lower enegery costs -- and Sean Parnell is just not that guy," Berkowitz said.

Berkowitz will run alongside candidate for lieutenant governor Diane Benson. Berkowitz says he's been friends with Benson since running against one another for Rep. Don Young's seat a few years ago.

"We want to continue to let Alaskans know that the Parnell administration has failed in terms of leadership: we haven't seen a gas line, we haven't seen lower energy costs, haven't seen improvements to our educational system -- and that he can talk nice and say all the nice things, and when it comes time to deliver he's not tough enough and has a poor track record," Berkowitz said.

Berkowitz says he and Benson share many of the same priorities, and he does not anticipate having to work out any major differences in political values. He also reminded his supporters that there's a long way to go between primary night and the general election.