An Anchorage attorney with close ties to Democrats tops a new Alaska bar poll rating list of candidates to replace federal judge John Sedwick.

Peter Maassen was rated as extremely qualified or well qualified by 76.7 percent of the lawyers polled by the Alaska Bar Association. Maassen represented the Alaska Legislative Council in the Troopergate investigation in a lawsuit brought by five Republican lawmakers who were trying to block the inquiry into whether then-Gov. Sarah Palin improperly fired Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. He's also generally seen as a supporter of liberal cases, causes and candidates.

Appeals Court Judge Joel Bolger was second on the list with a 75 percent rating, followed by Superior Court Judge Sharon Gleason with a 71.6 percent rating and U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler at 63.6 percent.

Nineteen Alaska judges and lawyers have applied for the U.S. District Court judgeship that is opening up when Sedwick moves to senior status in March. The poll was released Friday.

U.S. Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski will use the poll to come up with a short list of nominees to send to President Barack Obama who makes the appointment. Traditionally, the appointment goes to a candidate in line with the party in power, in this case the Democrats.

Contact Patti Epler at patti(at)alaskadispatch.com.