Alana Greear, a Kachemak-Selo School teacher who was running for the Alaska House of Representatives District 6, has withdrawn from the race, throwing her support behind fellow challenger Brent Johnson.
A press release from her campaign on Monday says that Greear made the decision after considering the results of the Alaska Primary Election on Aug. 20, where she was the third-highest vote-getter behind incumbent Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson. Greear, according to the official results certified on Sunday, obtained 790 votes, good for 17.09% of the total.
“In this race, I was a dark horse: a long shot,” Greear says in the release. “Because of the support I received, I was able to have an enormous impact and open many eyes to what thoughtful, kind, intelligent representation can look like for our district.”
In the release, Greear targets Vance’s showing during the election as “telling.” Vance received 43% of the vote, with 1,998 ballots cast in her name. Between Greear and Johnson, the two claimed more than 50% of the ballots cast.
“The voters of House District 6 are ready for new representation,” Greear says in the release. “I agree. It’s why I ran, and ultimately why I’m choosing to drop out of this race.”
In withdrawing, Greear says that she is encouraging her voters and the other constituents of her district to support Johnson.
“We don’t agree on everything, but we both know Sarah Vance is too extreme for House District 6,” Greear says.
Johnson wrote on Facebook on Monday that he appreciated the race Greear ran and the option she provided voters. In particular, he wrote that she was “well versed on education and on the changes that would attract and retain good teachers.”
“I am committed to bringing good representation to District 6 and very much appreciate Alana’s endorsement,” he wrote.
Vance on election day said it would be “interesting to see” if her challengers would remain in the race or consolidate ahead of the general election. Either way, she said, she expected her approach and record to resonate with voters — “Regardless of the opposition.”
The release says that Greear will continue working “for better representation for the Lower Kenai.” She will also continue her service as an elected board member for the Homer Senior Citizens Center.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
