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(CBS) 

Incumbent	Frank H. Murkowski(R)
Opponent	Joe Sonneman(D)
Race Outlook	Strong Republican

Incumbent Republican Senator Frank Murkowski easily won his party's nomination, capturing 72% of the vote in an open Primary with five other candidates. He ended speculation about his re-election plans when he announced his intention to seek a fourth term on January 21. His announcement was over-shadowed, however, by the Monica Lewinsky story, which broke on the same day.

Murkowski's Democratic opponent, Joe Sonneman, is operating his campaign by himself. Without financial or organizational support, Sonneman is not reaching many voters across the vast state.

State Democrats say they are concentrating more on state legislative races this year and admit they had difficulty recruiting a strong challenger to the popular and well-financed Murkowski.

Murkowski is virtually assured re-election in 1998.

Incumbent	Governor Tony Knowles(D)
Opponent	John Lindauer(R)
Race Outlook	Strong Democratic

When Tony Knowles was elected governor four years ago by only 536 votes, the Alaska governor's office looked like a prime opportunity for the Republicans in 1998. But that isn't exactly how things have worked out. Republican challenger John Lindauer's campaign has been plagued with questions about his finances, and the state GOP has withdrawn its support. Knowles heads into the final stretch with broad-based support and in good shape to win re-election.

Even before Lindauer, a former university chancellor, legislator, and newspaper publisher, won the August 25 GOP primary, questions were raised about the source of the $850,000 that he pumped into the race. Lindauer's failed newspaper chain had left him deeply in debt, and his Republican challengers and Democrats alike wanted to know where he was getting his money. For weeks he refused to disclose the source, although he denied it came from his wealthy wife. GOP party leaders, anxious to get beyond the controversy, tried to dump Lindauer from the ticket, but the state Republican central committee voted to keep him on the ballot. Lindauer's campaign manager quit in late September when he found that Lindauer had lied to him about the source of the money. Lindauer then turned around and admitted the money did come from his wife, but he is now faced with two lawsuits and an ethics investigation. Two weeks before the election, the Alaska Republican Party finally withdrew its support for Lindaur and now has endorsed write-in candidate Robin Taylor.

Knowles has stayed above the fray and campaigned on
Alaska's record high employment and growing economy. His centrist approach
to governing has earned him the backing of the powerful oil and timber
industries. No public polls are available, but private polls show Knowles
with more than a 40 point advantage. Knowles should cruise to victory.

Current Lineup: 1 At-Large District (1 Republican incumbent)
AL
Incumbent	DON YOUNG (R), Elected in 1973
Opponents	Jim Duncan (D), State Senate Minority Leader
	John Grames (Green), Property Manager
Outlook	Likely Republican
District Profile	1996 House:D-36% R-59%