This is a developing story.
Donald Trump was elected to a second term as U.S. president and Republicans have won control of the U.S. Senate for the first time in four years, but in Alaska the GOP suffered a setback with the loss of two seats in the state House that may cost them leadership of the chamber.
The outcome also means Alaska may get a new governor since Republican Mike Dunleavy, who has two years remaining in his second term and has attended recent events featuring Trump, is considered a strong contender for a position in his administration. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. House, is in line for the top state job if Dunleavy departs.
Many key races remain too close to call, especially in Alaska since ranked choice voting means races where no candidate has a majority of first-choice votes won’t be fully tallied until Nov. 20.
As of Wednesday morning that includes the race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat where Republican challenger Nick Begich III leads Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola by a tally of 49.66%-45.27% with about 255,000 votes counted. Election officials estimate 100,000 ballots remain to be counted, many of them from rural areas that tend to favor Peltola.
The winner of that race could decide which party controls leadership of the House, where Republicans currently hold a slim majority.
Ranked choice voting is itself on the ballot, with a measure repealing it narrowly leading 50.96%-49.04% in a race far too close to call. A minimum wage increase that also guarantees sick leave is well ahead 56.51%-43.49%.
Juneau’s three Democratic state legislators — Sen. Jesse Kiehl, and Reps. Sara Hannan and Andi Story — were unopposed and won reelection with more than 95% of the vote apiece.
In the Alaska Legislature there appears to be a strong chance of bipartisan majorities led by Democrats in both the House and Senate.
The 20-member Senate currently has a 17-member majority consisting of nine Democrats and it appears a similar coalition — possibly with fewer members — will be formed following the election. Current results show the next House would have 20 Republicans, 14 Democrats and six independents — but one Republican and many of the independents aligned with Democrats during the past session.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
