Candidates file, districts set
State of Alaska Redistricting Board
June 1 was the deadline for candidates to file for state senate and house of representatives seats, as well as U.S. house of representatives. Also, on May 31 Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell signed regulations to adopt new precinct boundaries for the elections based on the redistricting plan approved by the Alaska Supreme Court on May 22, though at press time the U.S. Department of Justice is still reviewing the plan to ensure Voting Rights Act standards are met.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim region has three state house of representative seats and two state senate seats, both configured differently than the 2002 redistricting. Voters in the area will cast their ballots in either House District 36, 37 or 38 (see Page 6). State representatives are elected for 2-year terms.
Voters in House District 36 will be represented by a senator elected from Senate District S, and the House District 37 and 38 voters are in Senate District R.
Filing for the House District 36 seat was incumbent from former District 37, Bryce Edgmon (D) of Dillingham, Carl M. Morgan, Jr. (R) of Aniak and Russell S. Nelson (D) of Dillingham.
For House District 37 incumbent from former District 38, Bob Herron (D) of Bethel filed and will run unopposed.
The filers for District 38 were incumbent from former District 6, Alan S. Dick (R) of Fairbanks, and incumbent from former District 8, David Guttenberg (D) of Fairbanks.
Filing for Senate District S, for a 4-year term, was incumbent Lyman F. Hoffman (D) of Bethel, who will run unopposed.
For Senate District R, incumbent and current senate president, Gary L. Stevens (R) of Kodiak filed for the 2-year seat, as did Robert J. Henrichs (D) of Cordova.
Nine candidates filed for the 2-year position of U.S. Representative: incumbent Don Young (R) of Anchorage, Debra Chesnut (D) of Fairbanks, Sharon M. Cissna (D) of Anchorage, John R. Cox (R) of Anchor Point, Terre L. Gales (R) of Eagle River, Jim C. McDermott (L) of Fairbanks, Matt Moore (D) of Anchorage, Doug Urquidi (D) of Eagle River and Frank J. Vondersaar (D) of Homer.
Two measures are on the primary election ballot. One is an act increasing the maximum residential property exemption and the other is about establishing a new coastal management program.
On the general election ballot are two measures. One would create a convention to revise, alter or amend the state constitution and the second is for general obligation bonds for transportation projects.
The primary election on the two measures and to select party candidates for the general election is Aug. 28. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is July 29.
The general election is Nov. 6 and will include national candidates, state senate and house candidates and the two ballot measures.