Les Gara

Candidates for statewide office have been campaigning throughout Alaska ahead of the November 8 general election. In October, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker and Les Gara visited Homer to discuss local issues.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce hosted a debate Thursday night at Lands End Resort with candidates for the Alaska governor’s race. Democratic candidate Les Gara and former Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, along with former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce — who showed up unexpectedly — discussed their stances on a number of hot button issues. All three hope to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who declined an invitation to the event.