Who is Sean Parnell?

Juneau Empire ^ | 7/5/2009 - 11:13 am | Amy Fletcher

[skeptoid]

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell had an unremarkable first year in office, loyally supporting Gov. Sarah Palin.

But in the past year and half, a crescendo of unexpected announcements and dramatic developments have thrust him into a more prominent role, culminating with his unanticipated move into the No. 1 seat announced Friday. One day later a spokesman for the governor's office said Parnell would seek a full term in 2010. But for the next year and a half the job is all his.

Parnell made headlines in March 2008 with his surprise decision to run against 18-term incumbent Don Young in the U.S. House Republican primary, a race he narrowly lost. At the time, he told the Anchorage Daily News he was running to restore "integrity and budget discipline."

[skeptoid]

This is a meaty article.

"I know something of the ravaging effects of substance and domestic abuse from my own family history," Parnell wrote. "My grandfather was an abusive alcoholic who verbally and physically pummeled his kids."

He said he was grateful that his father was able to break the cycle.

[Hugin]

All I know about him is he was the only person making sense discussing Palin on Fox News today.

[skeptoid]

Same here.

[ASOC]

Good story, factual - very odd for the Anchorage Gayly News - a pretty far left paper most of the time.

Sean is self-effacing to the point of being all but invisible. Today I asked 15 people if they could name a single topic or point from Sean's campaign for Congress. Most had to be reminded that Sean ran for Congress. Not one could remember a point or topic.

This is not a swipe at Sean - merely to point out all politics in Alaska is third string (at best) in terms of advisers or strategy. Sean proved to be a solid, hard working and conscientious member of the Legislature, and I'm sure he is up for the job of Govenor. The coming session is going to be a major league, all out knife fight over the budget.

I will be looking very hard to see if he is a smaller govt Conservative or a spend happy Populist. However it turns out, it won't be for a lack of hard work o his part.

[AlaskaErik]

He's a nice enough guy, but I don't think he's got what what it takes to deal with Alaska's pressing problems. Just my take on him, but I could be wrong. He used to be my state rep when I lived in Los Anchorage.