Former Governor Tony Knowles to chair Al Gross’ campaign team

As the field of those entered in the June 11 special election continues to grow, Dr. Al Gross, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2020, announced the formation of his leadership team for his campaign to replace Rep. Don Young, who died while still in office on March 18.

Heading Gross’ team is former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, the campaign said, along with Susan Knowles (D-Anchorage), Mayor David Landis (I-Ketchikan), Chief Mike Williams (D-Akiak), Robert Thorstensen (R-Juneau), Former Minority Leader State Representative Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau), Mayor Steve Oomittuk (R-Point Hope), Mac Meiners (I-Juneau), Dr. Steve Compton (D-Anchorage), Greg Cashen (I-Juneau), State Representative and State Senator Mike Szymanski (D-Big Lake), Doug Rhodes (I – Prince of Whales), Nick Szabo (R-Kodiak), Mayor Steve Prysunka (I – Wrangell).

The Gross campaign also announced it will be managed by Dr. Gary Ferguson, an Unangax̂ and an enrolled Qagan Tayagungin tribal member from Sand Point and Anchorage.

“We are building a campaign that embodies all of Alaska,” Gross said in a press release. “Our leadership team reflects the diverse coalition of backgrounds, ideologies, and political parties that our campaign is going to unite. While we don’t agree on everything, we do agree that the partisanship in Washington is failing Alaskans, and it’s imperative we elect an independent to this seat who will fight like hell to deliver for our state.”