Democrats Land Top Recruit In Alaska House Race

Ethan Berkowitz, the Democratic nominee for Alaska's lieutenant governor in 2006, announced he will be running for Congress against ethically-tarred Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).

Berkowitz served five terms in the Alaska state House, and as Minority Leader from 1999-2006.

He is the highest-profile candidate in the growing Democratic field, joining former state party chair Jake Metcalfe and the party’s 2006 nominee, Diane Benson.

"My experience has shown me that substance and civility work best," Berkowitz said in his campaign announcement. "When we reach across party lines we can find common ground and commonsense solutions that move us forward and away from partisan politics. That approach worked in Juneau and it will work in Washington, D.C."

Young, who has represented Alaska’s lone House seat since 1973, has been plagued by scandals surrounding the state Republican party. He only won 56 percent of the vote against an underfunded opponent in 2006, one of his lowest re-election totals.