Petersen Trumps Trombley

Anchorage voters kept four out of five city assembly incumbents in their seats on Tuesday. But two races ended unpredictably by the time the polls closed and most of the votes were tallied up.

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 In East Anchorage, challenger Pete Petersen upset incumbent Adam Trombley, taking nearly 42 percent of the vote. Trombley finished the night with 37 percent, while a third challenger for the District 5 seat, Mao Tosi, took 20 percent.

 Petersen was not shy about declaring victory Tuesday, as supporters rallied around him at election central. Petersen said he’d worked hard for votes.

 “I’ve been out there talking to people since last October. You know, when you knock on people’s doors and take time to listen to them, they appreciate it, and they get a chance to know you, personally, as a person. It’s not just an add that they see on tv, or an add that they hear on the radio, or a piece of paper in the mail. They’ve actually met you , and I think that makes a big difference. “

If the Peterson-Trombley race is close, the District 6 race is a real squeaker. Three candidates are vying for that seat, to be vacated by a termed out Assemblyman. By Tuesday night’s count, Bill Evans had 41 percent of the vote, while Bruce Dougherty had just under 39 percent. The third candidate, Pete Nolan, has 19 percent of the vote.

Anchorage voters also passed eight out of nine ballot propositions. A five point five million dollar bond package aimed at library improvements and a ballpark relocation failed by a narrow margin.

City election officials say the six thousand outstanding absentee and early ballots should be tallied next week.   Questioned ballots, by city law, have to be counted the day after an election, and that process started on Wednesday.  Official election results will be certified on April 15.