Upper Valley Largely Follows State Trends on Primary Votes

Most of the votes have been counted in what is being called the most expensive primary election in Alaska state history.  Two high-profile campaigns resulted in millions of dollars being spent on the August 19th vote.

The Republican Party is looking to take control of the U.S. Senate, and Democrat incumbent Mark Begich is in their sights.  With many absentee and questioned ballots still to be counted, it appears that Dan Sullivan, former state Attorney General and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner, has won the nomination.  Sullivan ended up with 40% of the vote.  Fairbanks attorney and Tea Party favorite Joe Miller came in second with just under 32% of the votes, and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell finished third, with just under 25% of the vote.  Sullivan has claimed victory, and Miller and Treadwell have both released statements congratulating him.

The other major statewide vote was on Ballot Measure 1, which aimed to repeal the recently passed oil tax regime, known as the More Alaska Production Act, or MAPA.  As of Wednesday afternoon, the repeal effort trailed by 6,796 votes.  Opponents of Measure 1 are claiming victory.

In the Upper Valley, results were largely the same on the two high-profile votes, with two exceptions.  In the Susitna precinct, Joe Miller received more votes than Dan Sullivan, and in Talkeetna, more voters voted in favor of Ballot Measure 1 than against it.  No data was listed for Willow as of Wednesday afternoon.

Complete results are available on the Alaska Division of Elections website.  The general election will be on November 4th.