I Dunno, Alaska If I Get The Chance

Something really weird is going on in Alaska politics has Lt. Gov. Byron Mallot as abruptly resigned his post three weeks before the state's gubernatorial election, where Independent Gov. Bill Walker is up against former Dem Sen. Mark Begich and Republican Mike Dunleavy in a three-way race.

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned from office Tuesday following disclosure of recent "inappropriate comments," complicating what was already a difficult re-election for Gov. Bill Walker. Details about what Mallott said or to whom were not immediately clear.

A new lieutenant governor, Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Nurr'araaluk Davidson, was immediately sworn in. In a brief statement, she said she was "profoundly disappointed" by Mallott's conduct, adding "respect for women, and the dignity of all Alaskans, is our responsibility."

Walker, in a written statement that he later read in a brief news conference in Anchorage, said, "Byron recently made inappropriate comments that do not reflect the sterling level of behavior required in his role as lieutenant governor. I learned of the incident last night. Byron has taken full responsibility for his actions and has resigned."

Mallott's resignation comes three weeks before Election Day. Walker, elected as an independent, faces Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Mike Dunleavy.

Walker campaign manager, John-Henry Heckendorn, told the Associated Press that the campaign has been in conversations with Begich's campaign for several days about a "path forward for Alaska." He declined to go into details, but he said the conversations were prompted by concerns about Dunleavy and the dynamics of a three-way race. The talks so far have been "inconclusive" but will continue, Heckendorn said.

The heck is going on here?

Mallott's resignation is odd is hell, but this talk of Begich in talks with Walker about the "dynamics of a three-way race" with 3 weeks before the election is hinky as hell.

More as we find out, I guess, but this is just bonkers.