Senator Judas sends Self to Political Purgatory; No Murkowskis live in District to fill Vacancy

Scott Ogan, who committed one of the most breathtaking betrayals of constituents in Alaskan history by supporting coalbed methane drilling on tens of thousands of acres of residential and privately-owned property, has resigned. While most of the credit for driving Ogan from office belongs to a group of his own constituents, the Ogan is So Gone committee, former Republican legislator and current Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker also deserves credit for outing Ogan as a shameless pawn of his corporate masters.

Ogan's poor judgement on coalbed methane may have gotten a lot of media attention and angered thousands of Alaskans, but his bizzare conduct, as recounted by Whitaker, regarding a possible North Slope gasline was at least as outrageous.

Governor Frank Murkowski has thirty days to nominate a replacement. The selection process promises to be challenging for the Governor, as he has no children residing in the district.