By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
With potentially more than 4,700 absentee ballots left to be counted, incumbent Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins trailed Republican challenger Kenny “Karl” Skaflestad in election night returns in the race for House District 35.
In the count of ballots cast on election day Tuesday, Skaflestad, of Hoonah, led the Sitka Democrat 2,063 to 1,912.
Sen. Bert Stedman, a Republican, ran unopposed to retain his seat for District R for a fifth term. The Sitka Republican received 7,422 votes from district voters on Election Day.
Skaflestad said today he realizes there are many ballots left to be counted but was pleased with the results so far across the district.
“Certainly there are a large number left to be counted but I’m encouraged by the voice of the people,” he said. “People spoke out across the state with a resounding chorus, talking about what they wanted. ... I’m happy they stayed on point and used that one tool they have to make their voices heard. Nothing is certain, and there’s a lot to be seen yet, but I look forward to the processes of the election (ahead).”
Kreiss-Tomkins is expecting a “much friendlier break” once the remainder of the ballots are counted and believes he will win a fifth term.
“Basically the votes are half counted, that’s the reality,” he said this morning. “There’s a slew of Democrat incumbents and I’m confident most of them are going the win. This is just the effect of the Division of Elections not counting the ballots until November 10.”
Stedman said even though he ran unopposed, he was pleased to see the support shown at the polls.
“I’d like to thank everyone for going out to the polls and voting,” he said this morning. “It looks like all across the state we had a high turnout and I appreciate all the support I received during my campaign.”
Voters line up to cast ballots at Precinct 2 at Centennial Hall Tuesday afternoon. A high number of mail-in, absentee and early votes will keep a final tally from being completed this week. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
The more than 4,700 absentee ballots left to be counted in District 35 starting November 10 and finishing by November 18 includes 2,034 who voted absentee in person, 3,272 who requested ballots by mail, 204 online, 2 by fax and 32 special needs. In addition to the 4,695 ballots received so far by the division, some 52 participated in early voting where that option is available. The Division of Elections says ballots mailed by the Election Day deadline are continuing to arrive.
Tiffany Montemajor, public relations manager for the Division of Elections, said today that the ballots must be counted by November 18, by state law.
In other results, Sitka voters on Election Day favored President Donald Trump over Democratic challenger Joe Biden 886-640. Also receiving votes were Jo Jorgensen (Libertarian) 42; James Janos (Green), 15; Rocky De La Fuente (Alliance), 2; Brock Pierce (non-affiliated), 1; and Don Blankenship (Constitution), 1.
In the U.S. Senate race, the election day count showed Sitka voters favoring Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan over Al Gross, 825-656. Also receiving votes was John Howe (Alliance), with 108.
In the U.S. House race, Rep. Don Young received 837 Sitka votes on Tuesday, to challenger Alyse Galvin’s 730.
Some 1,325 Sitka voters cast ballots for Stedman, in the District R race, where he ran unopposed.
In the state House race, Sitka voters picked Kreiss-Tomkins with 843, to Skaflestad’s 717.
In other results Sitkans on election day favored retaining the judges on the ballot, turned down Ballot Measure 1 (726-814); and were about even on Ballot Measure 2 (775 in favor and 772 against).
