2020 Alaska Senate election

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.

For the federal election, see 2020 United States Senate election in Alaska.

2020 Alaska Senate election
November 3, 2020
11 of 20 seats in the Alaska Senate
11 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Lyman Hoffman[lower-alpha 1] Tom Begich
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since July 9, 2019 January 15, 2019
Leader's seat S District J District
Seats before 13 7
Seats after 13 7
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 104,467 39,447
Percentage 57.84% 21.84%
Senate President before election

Cathy Giessel
Republican

 Elected Senate President

Peter Micciche
Republican

Elections in Alaska
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Propositions

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
Affiliation Party
(shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
Before election 13 7[lower-alpha 1] 20 0
After election 13 7 20 0
Change Steady Steady Steady

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[1] Lean R October 21, 2020

Overview
2020 Alaska Senate election
General election — November 3, 2020
Party Votes  % Seats not up Seats up Candidates Before After +/–
Republican 104,467 57.84 5 8 10 13 13 Steady
Democratic 39,447 21.84 4 3 5 7 7 Steady
Independent 26,286 14.55 — — 7[lower-alpha 2] 0 0 Steady
Alaska Independence 6,753 3.74 — — 1 — — Steady
Write-ins 2,650 1.47 — — — — — Steady
Libertarian 998 0.55 — — 1 — — Steady
Total 180,601 100 11 9 24 20 20 Steady

Close races
District Winner Margin
District H Democratic 15.7%
District M Republican 15.5%
District N Republican 4.1%

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 Party Elected Senator Party
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 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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Myers Jr. 1,739 50.2
Republican John Coghill (incumbent) 1,725 49.8
Total votes 3,462 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district B
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Myers Jr. 10,187 57.1
Independent Marna Sanford 6,610 37.0
Independent Evan Eads (unofficially withdrew) 986 5.5
Write-in Write-ins 67 0.4
Total votes 17,867 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David S. Wilson (incumbent) 1,734 33.9
Republican Stephen Wright 1,325 25.9
Republican Loy "Santa" Thurman 1,134 22.2
Republican Bee Rupright 469 9.2
Republican Chandra McCain-Finch 340 6.7
Republican Huhnkie Lee 110 2.2
Total votes 5,112 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district D
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David S. Wilson (incumbent) 12,600 69.2
Nonpartisan James D. "Dan" Mayfield 2,618 14.4
Independent Thomas Lamb[lower-alpha 4] 2,613 14.3
Write-in Write-ins 386 2.1
Total votes 18,217 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Shelley Hughes (incumbent) 14,751 71.3
Independent Jim Cooper[lower-alpha 4] 4,904 23.7
Libertarian Gavin Christiansen 998 4.8
Write-in Write-ins 29 0.1
Total votes 20,682 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Wielechowski (incumbent) 7,297 57.8
Republican Madeline Gaiser 5,318 42.1
Write-in Write-ins 19 0.1
Total votes 12,634 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Begich (incumbent) 9,235 92.6
Write-in Write-ins 734 7.4
Total votes 9,969 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Natasha von Imhof (incumbent) 2,162 53.5
Republican Stephen Duplantis 1,882 46.5
Total votes 4,044 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district L
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Natasha von Imhof (incumbent) 10,203 59.7
Democratic Roselynn Cacy 6,706 39.3
Write-in Write-ins 169 1.0
Total votes 17,078 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Josh Revak (incumbent) 2,499 66.2
Republican Ray Metcalfe 911 24.2
Republican Harold Borbridge 362 9.6
Total votes 3,772 100.0
Democratic primary
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anita Thorne 2,732 87.5
Democratic Nicholas Willie 389 12.5
Total votes 3,121 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate special election, district M
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Josh Revak (incumbent) 10,390 57.6
Independent Andy Holleman 7,596 42.1
Write-in Write-ins 55 0.3
Total votes 18,041 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roger Holland 3,686 64.2
Republican Cathy Giessel (incumbent) 2,055 35.8
Total votes 5,741 100.0
Democratic primary
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Johnson 2,247 54.1
Democratic Lynette Moreno Hinz 1,907 45.9
Total votes 4,154 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district N
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roger Holland 10,501 49.7
Democratic Carl Johnson 9,648 45.6
Independent Carolyn "Care" Clift 959 4.5
Write-in Write-ins 40 0.2
Total votes 21,148 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gary Stevens (incumbent) 2,086 52.9
Republican John "Bear" Cox 1,854 47.1
Total votes 3,940 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district P
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gary Stevens (incumbent) 12,507 64.7
Independence Greg Madden 6,753 34.9
Write-in Write-ins 75 0.4
Total votes 19,335 100.0
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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bert Stedman (incumbent) 1,926 63.8
Republican Michael Sheldon 1,092 36.2
Total votes 3,018 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district R
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bert Stedman (incumbent) 14,578 93.7
Write-in Write-ins 985 6.3
Total votes 15,563 100.0
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, have filed to challenge him for the seat.[18]

Republican primary
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Baker 674 60.7
Republican Calvin Moto II 437 39.3
Total votes 1,111 100.0
General election
2020 Alaska Senate election, district T
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donny Olson (incumbent) 6,561 65.1
Republican Thomas Baker 3,432 34.0
Write-in Write-ins 91 0.9
Total votes 10,084 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

Notes
  1. 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. Candidate running as an independent with the Democratic party's nomination.

References
  1. "October Overview: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  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. Brooks, James (August 31, 2020). "New candidates emerge in campaigns for Alaska Legislature". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. 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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