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 [lower-alpha 1] 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 [lower-alpha 1] 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 26,28614.557 [lower-alpha 2] 00Steady2.svg
Alaska Independence 6,7533.741Steady2.svg
Write-ins 2,6501.47Steady2.svg
Libertarian 9980.551Steady2.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 [lower-alpha 3] 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 BDistrict DDistrict FDistrict HDistrict JDistrict LDistrict M (special)District NDistrict PDistrict RDistrict 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 [lower-alpha 4] 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 [lower-alpha 4] 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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1996 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, 1996, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year, in which Democrat Bill Clinton was re-elected president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1986 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 4, 1986, in the middle of Ronald Reagan's second presidential term, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. The Republicans had to defend an unusually large number of freshman Senate incumbents who had been elected on President Ronald Reagan's coattails in 1980. Democrats won a net gain of 8 seats, defeating seven freshman incumbents, picking up two Republican-held open seats, and regaining control of the Senate for the first time since January 1981. This remains the most recent midterm election cycle in which the sitting president's party suffered net losses while still flipping a Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1968 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 5, 1968, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year. The Republicans picked 5 net seats up in the Senate. This saw Republicans win a Senate seat in Florida for the first time since Reconstruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1960 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of John F. Kennedy as president on November 8, 1960. The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections. A special election was also held on June 28, 1960, for a mid-term vacancy in North Dakota where Democrats flipped a seat to expand their majority to 66–34. As Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson was elected Vice President, Mike Mansfield became the new majority leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States Senate election in Alaska</span>

The 2008 United States Senate election in Alaska was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator and former President pro tempore Ted Stevens ran for re-election for an eighth term in the United States Senate. It was one of the ten Senate races that U.S. Senator John Ensign of Nevada, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, predicted as being most competitive. The primaries were held on August 26, 2008. Stevens was challenged by Democratic candidate Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage and son of former U.S. Representative Nick Begich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Alaska gubernatorial election</span>

The 1994 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, for the post of Governor of Alaska, United States. Democratic candidate Tony Knowles narrowly defeated Republican candidate Jim Campbell and Lieutenant Governor Jack Coghill of the Alaskan Independence Party. In the Republican Revolution year of the 1994 elections, Alaska's was the only governor's seat in the country to switch from Republican to Democratic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Alaska gubernatorial election</span>

The 1990 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990, for the open seat of Governor of Alaska. In 1989, incumbent Governor Steve Cowper, a Democrat, had announced that he would not seek re-election for a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arliss Sturgulewski</span> American politician (1927–2022)

Jane Arliss Sturgulewski was an American businesswoman and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Alaska. In a political career in which she started appearing in the spotlight in 1975, she represented Anchorage in the Alaska Senate from 1979 to 1993. Twice during off-years in re-election to her four-year Senate term, she won the Republican nomination for governor of Alaska against mostly conservative opposition in blanket primaries. The second time, in 1990, she came out in third place behind Walter Hickel and runner up Tony Knowles, which was the second of three times in Alaska's history a major-party nominee placed third. She won a 2000 Anchorage Athena award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Alaska</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Alaska took place on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alaska, concurrently with the election of the governor of Alaska, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathy Giessel</span> American politician

Catherine Andrea Giessel is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, she has served as Majority Leader of the Alaska Senate since 2023. From 2013 to 2021, Giessel represented District N in the Alaska Senate, including Northeast Anchorage, Anchorage Hillside and the Turnagain Arm communities of Bird, Girdwood, Indian, and Anchorage, all within the Municipality of Anchorage. First elected in 2010 while identifying with Tea Party values, she has also served as the vice-chair of the state Republican Party and had a career in nursing. Following redistricting, she was elected to a different senate seat in 2012. Giessel serves as chair of the Resources Committee and is a member of the Senate Majority Caucus. After Senate President Pete Kelly was unseated in 2018, Giessel was elected president of the Alaska Senate, a post she held until 2021. Giessel returned to the Alaska Senate in 2023, representing the newly configured District E after defeating incumbent Republican Roger Holland. She serves as Senate majority leader in the 33rd Legislature, overseeing a coalition caucus of eight Republicans and nine Democrats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2018 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2018. Among the 100 seats, the 33 of Class 1 were contested in regular elections while 2 others were contested in special elections due to Senate vacancies in Minnesota and Mississippi. The regular election winners were elected to 6-year terms running from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2025. Senate Democrats had 26 seats up for election, while Senate Republicans had 9 seats up for election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Meyer (politician)</span> American politician

Kevin Gerald Meyer is an American politician who served as the 14th lieutenant governor of Alaska from 2018 to 2022. He was a Republican member of the Alaska Senate from January 20, 2009 to December 3, 2018, representing District M. He was president of the Alaska Senate, leading a caucus of 14 Republicans and 1 Democrat from 2015 to 2017. Meyer served in the Alaska Legislature continuously from 2003 to 2018, in both the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate, previously representing the district when it was District O. He works as an investment recovery coordinator for ConocoPhillips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2020 United States Senate elections were held on November 3, 2020, with the 33 class 2 seats of the Senate contested in regular elections. Of these, 21 were held by Republicans, and 12 by Democrats. The winners were elected to 6-year terms from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2027. Two special elections for seats held by Republicans were also held in conjunction with the general elections: one in Arizona, to fill the vacancy created by John McCain's death in 2018; and one in Georgia, following Johnny Isakson's resignation in 2019. These elections ran concurrently with the 2020 United States presidential election in which incumbent president Donald Trump lost to Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Alaska</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Alaska was held on November 8, 2022. Incumbent senator Lisa Murkowski won reelection to a fourth full term, defeating fellow Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Patricia Chesbro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Alaska's at-large congressional district special election</span>

The 1973 Alaska's at-large congressional district special election was held on March 6, 1973, to elect the United States representative from Alaska's at-large congressional district. Incumbent Democratic Representative Nick Begich had won reelection in 1972, but had gone missing shortly before the election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 South Carolina Senate election</span>

The 2020 South Carolina State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2020 United States elections. South Carolina voters elected state senators in all 46 senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the South Carolina Senate, with all of the seats up for election each cycle. The primary elections on June 9, 2020, determined which candidates appeared on the November 3, 2020, general election ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Alaska House of Representatives election</span>

The 2020 Alaska House of Representatives election was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, with the primary election on August 18, 2020. Voters in the 40 districts of the Alaska House of Representatives elected their representatives, in conjunction with state senate elections and the biennial United States elections for federal offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska</span> U.S. House election in Alaska

The November 2022 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska was held on Tuesday, November 8, to elect a member of the United States House of Representatives to represent the state of Alaska. Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola won reelection to a full term in office, defeating Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III and Libertarian Chris Bye in the runoff count.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forrest Dunbar</span> American politician (born 1984)

Forrest Dunbar is an American politician, attorney, and military officer. He is a member of the Alaska Senate, representing East Anchorage District J since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served on the Anchorage Assembly from 2016 to 2023. He is a major and Judge Advocate in the Alaska Army National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alaska Senate election</span>

The 2022 Alaska Senate elections took place on November 8, 2022, with the primary elections being held on August 16, 2022. State senators serve four-year terms in the Alaska Senate, with half of the seats normally up for election every two years. However, because most districts were greatly changed in redistricting, elections were held for 19 of the 20 seats; the only exception is District T, represented by Democrat Donny Olson, which was mostly unchanged in redistricting and thus did not have an election. Some senators were elected to serve four-year terms, while others would serve shortened two-year terms.

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.