Anchorage – Today, Gene Therriault stepped down from his position as an energy advisor to the governor amidst mounting evidence that Parnell violated the Alaska Constitution by hiring him last fall.

Bill Walker, Republican candidate for governor and vocal critic of Parnell’s illegal hiring practices, made the following statement today:

“This governor has a track record of violating the Alaska Constitution by using the legislature as a hiring hall for his administration. He has consistently defended the practice of secretly offering jobs to sitting legislators, illegally creating the positions, illegally hiring them and then forcing someone else to take the blame. He has shown a complete lack of remorse or regret and his rap sheet is growing every day. I think it is time that Alaskans ask the question – is this the kind of leadership we are looking for in Juneau?

According to Walker, Therriault’s resignation will allow the public to regain focus on the critical issues facing Alaska.

“My message is as clear now as it has ever been. We need a leader who will fight relentlessly for Alaska’s future. We are facing some very serious problems but I believe there is great hope in bold, aggressive leadership for results now in Alaska. As governor, I will put an end to the corruption and political games that have plagued this state for far too long. I will stop studying our problems, and start building a better future for Alaska.”