This editorial appeared in The Anchorage Daily News.
The fuss between Gov. Sarah Palin and Juneau Democratic leaders on filling a vacant Juneau state Senate seat is entertaining as political drama but irrelevant. Party leaders may not like it, but the governor is following the law in asking for any Juneau Democrats interested in filling Sen. Kim Elton's seat to apply.
She can appoint whichever Juneau Democrat she likes, subject to confirmation by Senate Democrats.
And by law she could string it out for as long as 30 days.
We urge the governor to act more quickly, however. The circumstances of this vacancy – a resignation in the middle of a 90-day session – argue for speedy action.
If the governor takes the full time allotted, the legislative session will end and Juneau residents will have lost out on proper representation.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Anchorage Daily News.