Alaska, Oklahoma Holding Primaries

Alaska Gov. Bill Sheffield, who last year fended off an impeachment move, fights for his political life again today as three fellow Democrats try to deny him the nomination for a second term.

Sheffield’s most formidable primary opponent is expected to be Steve Cowper, a Fairbanks attorney who lost the nomination to him by a scant 260 votes in 1982.

Last summer, a grand jury recommended that the Legislature consider impeaching Sheffield for steering a state office lease to a political crony. After three weeks of televised hearings, the Alaska Senate decided that legal grounds were insufficient to pursue the matter.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma has six Democrats and five Republicans seeking nominations for a chance to succeed Gov. George Nigh, a Democrat forced by state law to retire after two four-year terms.

In both states, former governors are seeking the Republican nominations for their old jobs--Walter J. Hickel in Alaska and Henry L. Bellmon in Oklahoma.

Senate Primaries

In addition, both states have Democratic primaries for Senate candidates to run against first-term Republican senators. Neither Sen. Frank H. Murkowski of Alaska nor Sen. Don Nickles of Oklahoma has any GOP primary opposition.

Nine Republicans are in the race for Alaska governor, including Hickel, who served as interior secretary in the Richard M. Nixon Administration.

Leading the Democratic Senate field in Alaska is Glenn Olds, president of Alaska Pacific University, who is heavily favored over four opponents.

In Oklahoma, Bellmon, who was the state’s first Republican governor and has served in the U.S. Senate, is expected to have little trouble against four primary opponents. On the Democratic side, Atty. Gen. Mike Turpen is considered the leader among six candidates.

The chief Democratic Senate candidate is Rep. James R. Jones, a seven-term survivor in a conservative district. His only rival for the nomination is Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. disciple George Gentry.