Valley voters see red

MAT-SU — As in recent Mat-Su Valley elections, Republican candidates swept the polls, at least according to preliminary results.

With all but six of the state’s 438 precincts reporting, voters also appeared to have approved a $453 million infrastructure bond proposition by a margin of 56.57 percent to 43.43 percent.

The bonds include $13.5 million to extend Bogard Road to the Glenn Highway, $30 million for a project to extend rail service to Point MacKenzie, $10 million to reconstruct Fairview Loop and $15 million to reconstruct Knik-Goose Bay Road.

All precincts relevant to Valley races had reported their vote tallies as of Wednesday morning. And by that afternoon, Senate Republicans had announced a 12-member coalition with Charlie Huggins of Wasilla as its leader.

The coalition lists its priorities as increasing oil production, providing affordable energy and developing sustainable budgets. In a press release announcing the coalition, Senate Republicans also express concern about declining salmon stocks, educational opportunities and “Alaska’s role as gateway to the Arctic.”

Here’s a rundown of the preliminary results:

State Senate

• Charlie Huggins retains his seat representing Knik and Wasilla against a challenge from Democrat candidate Susan Herman. Huggins hauled in 77.42 percent to his opponent’s 22.37 percent with all precincts reporting.

• The Fairbanks seat that includes Chickaloon, Sutton and parts of the Fishhook area appears to have gone to Click Bishop, who pulled in 71.10 percent to Democrat Anne Sudkamp’s 28.01 percent.

• In Butte and Fairview, the senator is Fred Dyson of Eagle River. His vote haul stood at 75.83 percent to Democrat Martin Lindeke’s 23.81.

State House

In the house, the contested races this year were in Sutton/Chickaloon, Wasilla and Big Lake/Knik.

• In Chickaloon, Eric Feige garnered 72.16 percent to Democrat Jamey Duhamel’s 27.28 percent.

• In Wasilla, where the district was often referred to as the “new district” created in the Valley due to redistricting, Lynn Gattis had 72.38 percent to Blake Merrifield’s 27.31.

• In Big Lake, Mark Neuman had 79.98 percent to Democrat Pam Rahn’s 19.78 percent.

Uncontested races

Uncontested races also went to Republicans. In the Senate, the uncontested race was Mike Dunleavy’s. Dunleavy unseated incumbent Sen. Linda Menard in the primary for the seat representing Talkeetna, Willow, Houston and Palmer.

In the House, the uncontested races seated Wes Keller and Bill Stoltze. Keller used to represent Wasilla, but his redistricted seat traded Wasilla for Talkeetna, Willow and Houston. Bill Stoltze hails from Chugiak, but also represents the Butte. Redistricting gave him Fairview as well.

In all three unopposed races, the candidates lead write-in options with well over 90 percent of the vote.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.