Few Opposed Races are in Next Week’s Primary Election

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau

Only a few voters in next week’s primary elections will need to make choices for next year’s legislature.  That’s because most of the legislative seats will have opposition only in November’s general election.  Only one Democratic incumbent faces a primary challenger – Neal Foster, of Nome, who was appointed to finish the term to which his father was elected before he died.  Foster is challenged by Vincent Beans, of Mountain Village, a member of the Lower Yukon Regional School Board.

Few, if any, serious issues have developed for the five current House Republican races with intra-party challengers.  Peggy Wilson of Wrangell faces Steve Samuelson, Matsu’s Carl Gatto is challenged by Don Benson, Big Lake’s Mark Neuman faces newcomer Stephen Jacobson, Charissse Millett goes up against 10-year Alaska resident Jeanette Reddington; and Anchorage’s Bob Lynn, who is running for his fifth term.

His challenger is Steve Pratt, an economist and businessman.

None of the 10 Senate primary races involve incumbents.  But one race has three Republicans vying to replace long-time lawmaker Con Bunde.   Kathy Geisel is a registered nurse, Jennifer Johnston, a member of the Anchorage Assembly, and Mark Moronell, an Anchorage Cardiologist.

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