The Anchorage headquarter launch party for gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich and newly-announced running mate Julia Hnilicka drew a large crowd on Thursday evening. A freshly-made professional sign hung outside the Lake Otis strip mall office, while tables inside were covered with food, beers, buttons, and colorful bumper stickers. Many carried around to-go boxes of tacos from a free food truck parked behind the building. At its peak, the Landmine hand-counted 160-170 attendees.

Following an introduction by former Anchorage Assembly Member and State Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Begich stepped forward to troubleshoot a feedback problem with the mic himself. “What’s happening is it’s echoing off the back wall,” he explained. “And I got a certificate in recording engineering for a reason.”

Shortly after a subdued group recitation of the Alaska Flag Song led by Cal Williams, Begich spoke about the range of challenges facing Alaska. Like candidates across the political spectrum, Begich touched on rising costs, outmigration, and political division.

“I think people are tired, of not just the bickering,” Begich said, “but of being told we live in decline.”

Many attendees seemed eager to meet Begich’s just-announced running mate, former Biden administration official Julia Hnilicka. Hnilicka’s remarks during her introduction yesterday in Fairbanks, which she repeated today, have drawn the ire of some conservative-leaning commentators.

“As one supporter told me, the ‘H’ is silent, but I am not,” Hnilicka said, eliciting the most spirited audience reaction of the evening.

After the final speaker, campaign manager Christie Garbe attempted to lead an Obamaesque chant of “Yes We Can!” The cadence was a bit off at first, and the crowd struggled to match it. But after several attempts, the beat was found and attendees chanted “Yes We Can!” in near-unison, many pounding their fists in the air.

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