Candidates for governor are considering whether it’s worth continuing on to November, even if they’re among the top finishers in this month’s election
After Alaska’s ‘final four’ primary, a silent primary may decide who’s on the ballot in November
James Brooks, Alaska Beacon, August 14, 2026
Alaska’s two leading Democratic candidates for governor have quietly been discussing whether one of them should quit the race if both are among the top four vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary election.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich each said by phone on Thursday that they’ve been discussing different scenarios about what could happen when the final votes are counted.
Republicans have been talking about similar maneuvers for months, with one prominent Republican group going so far as to run ads urging lower-finishing candidates to withdraw in order to consolidate the vote in November.
“Both sides are trying to figure out: What does the top four look like? And how are we best positioned for success?” said Bernadette Wilson, one of the leading Republican candidates for governor in Alaska’s 17-person race.
Under Alaska’s election system, the top four vote-getters — regardless of political party — advance to the November general election. That may mean multiple Republicans or Democrats on the same ballot, competing for the same votes.
In November, voters in the general election will be asked to rank those four candidates in order of preference.
After all the votes are in, the candidate with the fewest number of first-choice preferences is eliminated. Any voters who ranked that candidate first will have their votes go to their second choice.
The process repeats until only two candidates are left.
In theory, that means no vote splitting. Anyone whose favorite candidate is eliminated can instead vote for someone else.
In practice, some Alaska voters ranked only one or two candidates in the 2022 and 2024 statewide elections, leading to an unusual number of “exhausted” ballots whose votes went to neither of the final two candidates.
“For the time being there is enough crude oil in the market preventing crude oil stocks from falling sharply and preventing Brent crude from rallying higher,”
Why Has Oil Not Rallied to $150 or Higher?
Andreas Exarheas, Rigzone, August 17, 2026
In a crude oil report sent to Rigzone on Monday, Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief Commodities Analyst at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB), explained why Brent hasn’t rallied to $150 per barrel or higher.
“For the time being there is enough crude oil in the market preventing crude oil stocks from falling sharply and preventing Brent crude from rallying higher,” Schieldrop stated in the report, which included “back of the envelope” calculations of how the loss of crude normally passing through the Strait of Hormuz is currently being compensated “by different elements.”
According to these calculations, the loss of crude supply if the Strait is fully closed is 14 million barrels per day. These calculations see a “crude escape” of five million barrels per day from the Strait, an increase of three million barrels per day in Yanbu crude exports, reduced Chinese crude imports of three million barrels per day, an OECD SPR crude discharge of one million barrels per day, reduced Russian refinery runs of 1.5 million barrels per day, and an increased flow of 0.6 million barrels per day from the Abu Dhabi pipeline. Taking all these “elements” into account, the net balance is a positive 0.1 million barrels per day, the calculations outline.
In June, Glenfarne indicated that energy companies are ready to commit to buying $115 billion worth of LNG from Alaska once the project is completed, with as many as 50 companies expressing formal interest.
Alaska LNG Pipeline Bill Fails in Legislature, Governor Warns of Consequences
Index Box Market Intelligence, August 14, 2026
A bill aimed at advancing the construction of a liquefied natural gas pipeline in Alaska has failed to secure enough votes in the state legislature, drawing a sharp response from Governor Mike Dunleavy, who had championed the measure. T
The governor expressed deep disappointment over the legislature’s decision not to reconvene in Juneau to address a proposed property tax change that was needed to move the project forward, warning that the consequences extend beyond the current session.
According to the governor, Alaska is running out of affordable and reliable natural gas, a long-standing issue that has become more urgent after decades of inaction. He cautioned that delaying action only increases risk, raises costs, and limits future options.
The Alaska House Majority Coalition announced late Wednesday that they had gathered enough votes to approve the project, but the bill ultimately did not pass.
The Alaska LNG pipeline is a key component of the broader liquefied natural gas production project, designed to deliver North Slope natural gas to Alaskans and export LNG to U.S. allies across the Pacific. The planned 800-mile pipeline would transport gas from production centers on the North Slope to south-central Alaska for exports, with multiple interconnection points to meet in-state demand.
The project is a joint venture between U.S. energy developer Glenfarne Group and the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, a state-owned company. In June, Glenfarne indicated that energy companies are ready to commit to buying $115 billion worth of LNG from Alaska once the project is completed, with as many as 50 companies expressing formal interest.
Governor Dunleavy noted that the legislature’s failure to move the pipeline forward would send a negative signal to investors and potential partners in Alaska, the nation, and around the world, emphasizing that large infrastructure projects require certainty and sustained commitment.
SCOOP – REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC VOTERS SUPPORT EXPANDING FOSSIL FUELS TO MEET ENERGY DEMANDS, NEW POLL SHOWS:
The demand for power across the country is surging, driven by the development of artificial intelligence, data centers, increased manufacturing, and electrification. And for many voters across the political spectrum, oil and gas could be the solution to meet those needs.
Polling set to be released by the American Exploration and Production Council this week shows that both Democrat and Republican voters are acknowledging the need for oil and gas to meet rising demand, and keep energy costs affordable to American consumers.
Some numbers: In fact, roughly 79% of voters said they believed oil and natural gas are important for keeping costs affordable, according to the poll first obtained by Daily on Energy. This view was shared by 51% of voters who identified as very liberal, and 70% of those who identified as a Democratic voter.
As a result, most voters polled (63%) said they would support expanding oil and gas production to meet surging demands. Unsurprisingly, very liberal voters were the least likely to support this view, with only 26% saying they would support expanding fossil fuel production and 70% saying they would oppose. However, a plurality of Democratic voters, around 47%, said they would support, and only 43% said they were in opposition.
Republican voters voiced the strongest support for expanding oil and gas production at 90%, with 97% of MAGA-identifying voters also backing the move.
“Voters across the political spectrum agree that supporting oil and natural gas production is key to making life in America more affordable,” Anne Bradbury, CEO of AXPC, said in a statement. “It’s time to break the cycle of policy uncertainty that delays and derails critical energy investments, and passing durable, source-neutral permitting reform will provide a pathway to lower costs for struggling families.”
From the Washington Examiner, Daily on Energy, August 14, 2026
