Heyworth drops out of race, throws support to Murkowski

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Scott Heyworth, saying Frank Murkowski represents Alaska’s best hope for getting a gasline built, has withdrawn as a candidate for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket and pledged his support to Murkowski, a Republican candidate for governor.

“Only Frank Murkowski has committed to keeping the All-Alaska Gasline route option open and on the table,” Heyworth said.

Murkowski said today in Anchorage that he welcomes the endorsement of Heyworth, the sponsor of a successful natural gasline ballot initiative.

“Scott Heyworth demonstrates the kind of can-do, pioneering Alaska spirit that has helped turn big dreams into big accomplishments,” Murkowski said.

“Seeing the potential for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to Valdez and an innovative way to make it happen, he collected more than 42,000 petition signatures, so Alaskans can cast their vote in favor of economic opportunity and a brighter future this fall, in the form of the All-Alaskan Gasline Initiative.”

Heyworth made his announcement on the Port of Anchorage docks this morning, where he as worked as a longshoreman for 32 years. He said he was abandoning his pursuit of the Democratic Party’s nomination as a candidate for lieutenant governor, saying he received far more support and encouragement for his ideas from Murkowski than from fellow Democrats.

Murkowski said he would support any route that takes Alaska’s gas to market.

Following his endorsement of Murkowski, Heyworth endorsed Wasilla Mayor Sara Palin, who is running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket.