By DAN JOLING, The Associated Press
Published: Anchorage Daily News 09/28/09

Anchorage attorney Bill Walker jumped into the race for governor Monday and declared that construction of a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Valdez will be the focus of his campaign. “This pipeline under our administration would be built by Alaskans, operated by Alaskans and owned by Alaskans,” he said. “All Alaska, all the time.”

Walker is project manager and general counsel for the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, an agency the North Slope Borough, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and the city of Valdez established in 1999 to construct an “all-Alaska” gas pipeline.

Walker is the fourth Republican to declare his gubernatorial intentions, along with Gov. Sean Parnell, who replaced Sarah Palin after her surprise resignation in July, former state House Speaker John Harris of Valdez, and Gerald L. Heikes of Palmer. The Republican primary will be next August, with the winner running in the general election in November 2010.

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http://www.adn.com/politics/story/952741.html?story_link=email_msg