2020 Alaska Senate election

Last updated

2020 Alaska Senate election
Flag of Alaska.svg
←  2018 November 3, 2020 2022  →
11 of 20 seats in the Alaska Senate
11 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
  Lyman Hoffman (cropped).jpg Tom Begich. Juneau, Alaska (cropped).jpg
Leader Lyman Hoffman [a] Tom Begich
Party Republican Democratic
Leader sinceJuly 9, 2019January 15, 2019
Leader's seatS DistrictJ District
Seats before137
Seats after137
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote104,46739,447
Percentage57.84%21.84%
2020 Alaska State Senate election.svg
Results:
     Democratic hold     Republican hold
     No election
Senate President before election

Cathy Giessel
Republican

Elected Senate President

Peter Micciche
Republican

The 2020 Alaska Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2020 United States elections. Voters in Alaska elected state senators in 11 of the state's 20 senate districts – the usual ten plus one special election. State senators serve four-year terms in the Alaska Senate, with half seats up for election every two years. Primary elections on August 18, 2020, determined which candidates appeared on the general election ballot on November 3, 2020.

Contents

Following the previous election in 2018, Republicans had control of the Alaska Senate with 13 seats to Democrats' 7 seats. One Democrat caucused with the Republicans, giving them a governing majority of 14 seats.

Composition

AffiliationParty
(shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
Before election137 [a] 200
After election137200
ChangeSteady2.svgSteady2.svgSteady2.svg

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [1] Lean ROctober 21, 2020

Overview

2020 Alaska Senate election
General election — November 3, 2020
PartyVotes %Seats not upSeats upCandidatesBeforeAfter+/–
Republican 104,46757.8458101313Steady2.svg
Democratic 39,44721.8443577Steady2.svg
Independent 26,28614.55——7 [b] 00Steady2.svg
Alaska Independence 6,7533.74——1——Steady2.svg
Write-ins 2,6501.47—————Steady2.svg
Libertarian 9980.55——1——Steady2.svg
Total180,601100119242020Steady2.svg

Close races

DistrictWinnerMargin
District HDemocratic15.7%
District MRepublican15.5%
District NRepublican4.1%

Incumbents defeated

In primary

Two Republican incumbents lost renomination.

  1. N District: Senate President Cathy Giessel lost renomination to Roger Holland.
  2. B District: John Coghill lost renomination to Robert Myers Jr.

Summary of results

District Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
B John Coghill Rep Robert Myers Jr. Rep
D David S. Wilson Rep David S. Wilson Rep
F Shelley Hughes Rep Shelley Hughes Rep
H Bill Wielechowski Dem Bill Wielechowski Dem
J Tom Begich Dem Tom Begich [c] Dem
L Natasha von Imhof Rep Natasha von Imhof Rep
M (special) Josh Revak Rep Josh Revak Rep
N Cathy Giessel Rep Roger Holland Rep
P Gary Stevens Rep Gary Stevens Rep
R Bert Stedman Rep Bert Stedman Rep
T Donny Olson Dem Donny Olson Dem

Detailed results

  District B • District D • District F • District H • District J • District L • District M (special) • District N • District P • District R • District T  

District B

Republican primary
John Coghill, the incumbent since 2009, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from Robert Myers Jr., who announced his candidacy for the seat on July 10. [2] Trailing by 14 votes in the official count, incumbent Coghill asked for a recount, [3] but, when the lead remained the same after the recount, Coghill conceded defeat and Myers was declared the winner. [4]

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert Myers Jr. 1,739 50.2
Republican John Coghill (incumbent)1,72549.8
Total votes3,462 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district B
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert Myers Jr. 10,187 57.1
Independent Marna Sanford6,61037.0
Independent Evan Eads (unofficially withdrew)9865.5
Write-in Write-ins670.4
Total votes17,867 100.0
Republican hold

District D

David S. Wilson, the incumbent since 2017, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from five other candidates. [5] Thomas Lamb, who filed as a nonpartisan on the Democratic primary ticket, qualified automatically for the general election. [6] Republican primary

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David S. Wilson (incumbent) 1,734 33.9
Republican Stephen Wright1,32525.9
Republican Loy "Santa" Thurman1,13422.2
Republican Bee Rupright4699.2
Republican Chandra McCain-Finch3406.7
Republican Huhnkie Lee1102.2
Total votes5,112 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district D
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David S. Wilson (incumbent) 12,600 69.2
Nonpartisan James D. "Dan" Mayfield2,61814.4
Independent Thomas Lamb [d] 2,61314.3
Write-in Write-ins3862.1
Total votes18,217 100.0
Republican hold

District F

Republican Shelley Hughes, the incumbent since 2017, and Independent Stephany Jeffers were the only two candidates to file for this seat. They both advanced unopposed to the general election. [7] Jeffers withdrew her candidacy on August 31 and was replaced by fellow Independent Jim Cooper. [8]

2020 Alaska Senate election, district F
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Shelley Hughes (incumbent) 14,751 71.3
Independent Jim Cooper [d] 4,90423.7
Libertarian Gavin Christiansen9984.8
Write-in Write-ins290.1
Total votes20,682 100.0
Republican hold

District H

Democrat Bill Wielechowski, the incumbent since 2007, and Republican Madeline Gaiser were the only two candidates to file for this seat. They both advanced unopposed to the general election. [9]

2020 Alaska Senate election, district H
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bill Wielechowski (incumbent) 7,297 57.8
Republican Madeline Gaiser5,31842.1
Write-in Write-ins190.1
Total votes12,634 100.0
Democratic hold

District J

Democrat Tom Begich, the incumbent since 2017, was the only candidate to file for this seat. He ran unopposed in the general election. [9]

2020 Alaska Senate election, district J
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tom Begich (incumbent) 9,235 92.6
Write-in Write-ins7347.4
Total votes9,969 100.0
Democratic hold

District L

Republican primary
Natasha von Imhof, the incumbent since 2016, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from challenger Stephen Duplantis. [10] Roselynn Cacy, the only Democrat to file, qualified automatically for the general election. [9] Independent candidate Jeff Landfield withdrew his candidacy on August 31. [11] Republican primary loser Stephen Duplantis announced intentions to register as a write-in candidate. [8]

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Natasha von Imhof (incumbent) 2,162 53.5
Republican Stephen Duplantis1,88246.5
Total votes4,044 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district L
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Natasha von Imhof (incumbent) 10,203 59.7
Democratic Roselynn Cacy6,70639.3
Write-in Write-ins1691.0
Total votes17,078 100.0
Republican hold

District M (special)

After the death of Sen. Chris Birch in August 2019, [12] Governor Mike Dunleavy appointed state representative Josh Revak to the Senate the following month. Revak was running as the incumbent and was seeking his first full term. He was challenged by two candidates in the Republican primary. [13] In addition, two candidates were contesting the Democratic primary.

Democratic nominee Anita Thorne withdrew her candidacy on August 31. [8] Republican primary

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Josh Revak (incumbent) 2,499 66.2
Republican Ray Metcalfe91124.2
Republican Harold Borbridge3629.6
Total votes3,772 100.0

Democratic primary

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Anita Thorne 2,732 87.5
Democratic Nicholas Willie38912.5
Total votes3,121 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate special election, district M
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Josh Revak (incumbent) 10,390 57.6
Independent Andy Holleman7,59642.1
Write-in Write-ins550.3
Total votes18,041 100.0
Republican hold

District N

Cathy Giessel, the incumbent since 2011 and the President of the Senate since January 2019, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from DOT&PF measurement scientist Roger Holland. [14] Additionally, two candidates were contesting the Democratic primary. [15] Republican primary

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Roger Holland 3,686 64.2
Republican Cathy Giessel (incumbent)2,05535.8
Total votes5,741 100.0

Democratic primary

Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Carl Johnson 2,247 54.1
Democratic Lynette Moreno Hinz1,90745.9
Total votes4,154 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district N
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Roger Holland 10,501 49.7
Democratic Carl Johnson9,64845.6
Independent Carolyn "Care" Clift9594.5
Write-in Write-ins400.2
Total votes21,148 100.0
Republican hold

District P

Gary Stevens, the incumbent since 2003, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from former state house candidate John Cox. [16] Challenger Greg Madden contested the general election on the Alaskan Independence Party ticket. [17] Republican primary

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gary Stevens (incumbent) 2,086 52.9
Republican John "Bear" Cox1,85447.1
Total votes3,940 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district P
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gary Stevens (incumbent) 12,507 64.7
Independence Greg Madden6,75334.9
Write-in Write-ins750.4
Total votes19,335 100.0
Republican hold

District R

Republican primary
Bert Stedman, the incumbent since 2003, was facing opposition in the Republican primary from handyman Michael Sheldon. [2]

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bert Stedman (incumbent) 1,926 63.8
Republican Michael Sheldon1,09236.2
Total votes3,018 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district R
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bert Stedman (incumbent) 14,578 93.7
Write-in Write-ins9856.3
Total votes15,563 100.0
Republican hold

District T

Donny Olson, the incumbent since 2001, was running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Two Republican candidates, Kotzebue vice-mayor Thomas Baker and Deering tribal president Calvin Moto II, challenged him for the seat. [18] Republican primary

Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Thomas Baker 674 60.7
Republican Calvin Moto II43739.3
Total votes1,111 100.0

General election

2020 Alaska Senate election, district T
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Donny Olson (incumbent) 6,561 65.1
Republican Thomas Baker 3,43234.0
Write-in Write-ins910.9
Total votes10,084 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Hoffman, who was not up for reelection in 2020, is a Democrat who caucused with the Republican majority.
  2. ↑ Includes nonpartisan candidate
  3. ↑ Did not face opposition in the general election.
  4. 1 2 Candidate running as an independent with the Democratic party's nomination.

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References

  1. ↑ "October Overview: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races". The Cook Political Report . Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Tewksbury, Sara. "Republican Robert Myers runs for Senator John Coghill's seat". webcenterfairbanks.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  3. ↑ Kuac, Robyne (August 31, 2020). "Trailing in Republican primary, Coghill asks for recount". Alaska Public Media . Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. ↑ Brooks, James (September 2, 2020). "Recount upholds 14-vote primary loss for longtime incumbent state Sen. John Coghill". Anchorage Daily News . Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  5. ↑ "State of Alaska Official Sample Ballot: August 18, 2020 Alaska Republican Party Primary | House District 8" (PDF). elections.alaska.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. ↑ Landfield, Jeff (July 26, 2020). "The Sunday Minefield – July 26, 2020". The Alaska Landmine. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ Rockey, Tim. "Candidates file for 2020 elections". Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Brooks, James (August 31, 2020). "New candidates emerge in campaigns for Alaska Legislature". Anchorage Daily News . Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 Buxton, Matt (June 5, 2020). "It's the year of the contested primary, especially for incumbent Republicans". The Midnight Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ Downing, Suzanne (June 5, 2020). "Candidate Duplantis thinks 'COVID is a hoax and George Floyd didn't exist'". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ Buxton, Matt (August 31, 2020). "'It would have been an epic campaign.' Landfield withdraws from crowded Senate race". The Midnight Sun.
  12. ↑ "Anchorage state Sen. Chris Birch dies at 68". Anchorage Daily News. August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ Brooks, James (June 21, 2020). "In Alaska primary elections, it's Republican versus Republican, with dividends as the battleground". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ Downing, Suzanne (January 21, 2020). "Senate Pres. Cathy Giessel gets primary challenger". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ Thompson, John (June 2, 2020). "Here's who Alaskans will find on the August primary ballot". www.ktva.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ Pacer, Megan (July 21, 2020). "John Cox makes a run at Senate District P seat". Homer News. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  17. ↑ Pacer, Megan (July 21, 2020). "Soldotna's Greg Madden makes bid for Alaska Senate". Homer News. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  18. ↑ Early, Wesley (June 1, 2020). "Kotzebue's Thomas Baker adds name to list of Republican challengers to Sen. Donny Olson". KOTZ Radio 720 AM. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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