The results of local races for state office remain unchanged following certification of the Aug. 16 primary election by the State Review Board last week. More than two weeks after Alaskans cast ballots in the state’s special general and regular primary election, results were made official on Sept. 2.
Local candidates Tuckerman Babcock and Justin Ruffridge continue to lead in their bids for State Senate District D and State House District 7, respectively. Incumbent Rep. Ben Carpenter, who represents House District 8, is running unopposed for reelection to the Alaska Legislature.
As of about 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 2, official results from the Alaska Division of Elections show that of the more than 10,000 votes cast in the Senate District D seat, Babcock secured about 49.3% of votes. He is followed by Jesse Bjorkman with 35.9% of votes and Andy Cizek, with 14.8% of votes.
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge leads in the race for House District 7 with 56.8% of the more than 4,700 votes cast. Incumbent Rep. Ron Gillham received about 43.2% of votes, official election results show.
State data show that more people voted in Alaska’s special general election to fill the state’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives than in local races. In State House District 7, for example, 5,499 voters cast ballots in the special congressional election, but only 4,722 votes were cast in that state House race.
Under Alaska’s new open primary election structure, all voters will vote the same primary ballot regardless of their political party. The top four vote-getters from the primary will then move on to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
In the case of State Senate District D, State House District 7 and State House District 8, fewer than four candidates appeared on the primary ballot. That means all candidates will advance to the November general election. No candidates withdrew from local races, according to withdrawal information shared by the Division of Elections on Monday around 5 p.m. Aug. 16 election results can be found on the Division of Elections website at elections.gov/election-results/.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
