Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage |
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In this issue:
- Primary Election Update and Unofficial Results
- Gas Line Legislation Update
- Constituent in the News
- Community Information & Events
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Dear Friends and Neighbors, |
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The top four candidates from each race in the Primary Election will advance to the General Election on November 3rd. "Top 4" candidates who are considering withdrawing from the race have until the end of this month to decide.
The third 2026 special session adjourned on August 25th without passed LNG legislation. And, we send congratulations to West Anchorage resident Kyle Reardon on his nomination to a federal judge position for the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.
Read on to learn more.
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The Alaska Primary Election took place on Tuesday, August 18th. The Division of Elections has not certified the results as absentee ballots continue to come in, but most precincts have reported their results. With a small percentage of ballots left to count, the results are unlikely to have any significant changes. To review election results, please visit the Division of Elections results webpage. |
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Voter Registration Status
To register, update, or check your voter registration status and to ensure you are eligible to vote in the November 3rd General Election, please go to the Division of Elections My Voter Portal webpage and enter your first, last name, and mailing city.
The voter registration deadline for the General Election is October 4th. You can find other important dates related to the elections and voting by clicking here.
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Unofficial Results
Below are the unofficial results for US Senator, US Representative, Governor/Lt. Governor, House District 15, House District 16, and Ballot Measure 1.
Updated 8/26/2026 8:53 AM
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Ballot Measure 1: Campaign Finance Limits
This act would change the amount of money that people and groups can give to state and local political campaigns. A court ruling in 2021 removed the limits on contributions by individuals. With this act, individuals could give $2,000 to candidates and $5,000 to political parties. Groups besides political parties could give $4,000 to candidates and $5,000 to other parties or groups. Individuals could also give $4,000 to joint campaigns for governor and lieutenant governor, and groups could give $8,000. These limits would increase with inflation every ten years beginning in 2031.
Should this initiative become law?
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United States Senator (Top 4) |
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48.92%
42.07%
2.46%
1.10%
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Peltola, Mary S.
Sullivan, Dan S.
Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.
Leslie, David B.
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United States Representative (Top 4)
*Schultz suspended his campaign prior to the Primary Election; too late to remove from ballot
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45.26%
32.08%
8.01%
3.77%
2.66%
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Begich, Nick
Hill, Bill
*Schultz, Matt
Hafner, Eric
Williams, John B.
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Governor/Lt. Governor (Top 4) |
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22.22%
20.53%
10.22%
8.18%
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Kreiss-Tomkins/Johnson
Begich/Hnilicka
Wilson/Shower
Bronson/Church
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House District 15 - State Representative |
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Wells, Denny
Costello, Mia
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House District 16 - State Representative |
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Hall, Carolyn
Vazquez, Liz
Isley, Phil
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During the regular session and two special sessions this year, the Legislature passed two bills to move the gas pipeline project forward. Both bills provided the roughly $1 billion-a-year tax relief that the developer requested as well as safeguards to protect taxpayers, require local hire, and guarantee that gas reaches Alaskans first. A conference committee met and proposed a compromise version of the legislation during the second special session this summer. Governor Dunleavy did not support the conference committee compromise. The Senate approved the conference committee compromise, but the House rejected the compromise. The Governor then called a third 2026 special session on July 27th that ended yesterday, August 25th. The Legislature did not pass any legislation during the third 2026 special session. We currently do not expect that he will call another special session.
Improving transparency for the gas line project is critical. Over the past three months, the estimated cost rose from $45 billion to $55 billion or more. There is substantial concern with locking Alaska into a multi-billion-dollar decision without better financial modeling and a full accounting of the costs. The Senate Majority addresses the cost and other concerns in a position paper titled "We Support a Natural Gas Pipeline." You can read it here.
Last week, the Senate & House Resources Committees heard updates on Cook Inlet gas from ENSTAR, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Alaska Energy Authority. Another Joint Resources Committees meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th at 1 p.m. at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office. Members will receive updates from Chugach Electric, HEX, and Hilcorp. You can watch live at akl.tv.
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Last week, with support from both of Alaska's U.S. Senators, President Trump nominated West Anchorage resident Kyle Reardon to be the third of three seats for the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. The seat has been vacant for over two years and the judge, once confirmed, serves a lifetime appointment.
After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Reardon served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps (1999-2005) as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the Eastern District of California (2007-2014) and the District of Alaska Anchorage (2014-2021). Mr. Reardon has served as a magistrate judge since 2001 and appointed as Chief Magistrate Judge for Alaska in September 2025.
Congratulations to Mr. Reardon on his nomination!
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Ch'atanaltsegh Fish Creek Indigenous Place Name Celebration
When: Thursday, August 27th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Lyn Ary Park 2009 Foraker Dr.
The community is invited to gather at Lyn Ary Park on Thursday, August 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. for the Fish Creek Indigenous Place Name Celebration, an evening of music, culture, art, food, and community that honors the Dena'ina name for Fish Creek, Ch'atanaltsegh, and celebrates new improvements planned for Fish Creek estuary. Ch'atanaltsegh - (cha-ta-nul-sowg) the Dena'ina word for Fish Creek means "where yellow water comes out."
The free, family-friendly event begins at Lyn Ary Park with an opening ceremony and a festive procession featuring the Indigenous Friendship Dancers, members of the Momentum Dance Collective, and participants wearing colorful, animal-themed costumes inspired by the fish, birds, and wildlife of the Fish Creek estuary. Community members will travel together along the Coastal Trail to visit the estuary, where a new Indigenous Place Name sign and future park amenities will be located.
Returning to Lyn Ary Park, attendees will enjoy an outdoor concert by Pamyua, the award-winning Yup'ik-Inuit music group known for blending traditional Inuit drum and dance with contemporary sounds. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Activities Include:
- Opening ceremony and community gathering
- Indigenous Friendship Dancers
- Animal-themed costume parade and estuary procession
- Visit to the Fish Creek estuary and future Indigenous Place Name sign location
- Outdoor concert by Pamyua at 6 p.m.
- Three food trucks
- Anchorage Museum family activities
- Free $15 food truck tickets for the first 50 attendees
For more information, click here.
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Alaska State Fair
When: From August 21st to September 7th, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
Where: Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
Alaska’s Fair is traditionally the last blast of summer, with concerts, giant vegetables, vendors, food, carnival, exhibits, animals, contests, and more! For information on vendors, live music, events, and more, click here.
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As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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