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Republican Party primaries in Alaska, 2018

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Republican Party primaries, 2018
Alaska Republican Party.png
Primary Date
August 21, 2018
Federal elections
Republican primaries for U.S. House
State elections
Republican primaries for Alaska legislature
Republican primary for governor
Republican primary for lieutenant governor
State party
Republican Party of Alaska
State political party revenue

Primary elections—in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should run on the party's ticket in the general election—can reflect internal conflict over the direction of a party.

Heading into the 2018 election, the Republican Party's legislative record during Donald Trump’s presidency figured into several Republican primaries. This record included the passage of major tax legislation in December 2017 and the confirmation of federal judges. It also included a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill in March 2018, which Trump opposed, and unsuccessful efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.[1][2]

Trump, himself, also played a role in Republican primaries. His approval rating reached 90% in June among self-described Republicans, according to a Gallup survey.[3] Many Republican candidates campaigned on their support for Trump, and negative ads accusing opponents of criticizing the president were common.[4][5][6] A May report found Trump's name or image had appeared in 37% of all Republican campaign ads at that point in 2018.[7]

This page focuses on the Republican primaries that took place in Alaska on August 21, 2018. In addition, the page provides context for understanding the state party apparatus.

Battleground primaries

Battleground elections are those that Ballotpedia expected would either be more competitive than other races or attract significant national attention.

Federal elections

U.S. House

See also: United States House election in Alaska (August 21, 2018 Republican primary)
A Republican Party primary election took place on August 21, 2018, in Alaska to determine which Republican would run in the state's November 6, 2018, general election. To see a full list of candidates in the Republican primary, click "Show more" below.
Show more
Republican Party Republican primary candidates

State elections

Alaska Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Six years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor I I R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R I I I I R R R R R R R
Senate S R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R S S S
House D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D S S S S S S S

Gubernatorial election

See also: Alaska gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 21 Republican primary)
See also: Alaska gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 21 Republican primary)

Republican Party Republican primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:

Lieutenant gubernatorial election

See also: Alaska lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 21 Republican primary)

Republican Party Republican primary candidates

State legislative elections

Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Alaska state legislative Republican primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Republican caucus or had an impact on general election races.

To determine the Alaska state legislative Republican primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:

  1. Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
  2. One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
  3. The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.

House battleground races

This map shows the 2018 Alaska state House Republican primaries that we watched.

House District 9

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes.

What made this a battleground race?

George Rauscher (R) held this seat heading into the 2018 elections. He drew a primary challenge from former incumbent Jim Colver, who Rauscher defeated in the 2016 primaries. Colver was a member of the Musk Ox Coalition while he served in the legislature. His campaign was supported by the union-aligned political group Working Families for Alaska.[8]

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 9

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of George Rauscher
George Rauscher
 
49.4
 
1,533
Image of Jim Colver
Jim Colver
 
29.8
 
923
Image of Pamela Goode
Pamela Goode
 
20.8
 
645

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,101
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

House District 13

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

No.

What made this a battleground race?

Former state Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom, Bill Cook, and Craig Christenson ran to replace incumbent Dan Saddler (R), who did not file for re-election. Dahlstrom's campaign was supported by the union-aligned political group Working Families for Alaska.[8] According to Suzanne Downing of Must Read Alaska, Dahlstrom "was known as a reliable union backer the last time she served in the House and is seen as a potential Musk Ox coalition member."[8]

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 13

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nancy Dahlstrom
Nancy Dahlstrom
 
41.0
 
642
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Craig Christenson
 
30.3
 
475
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Bill Cook
 
28.7
 
450

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,567
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

House District 14

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

No.

What made this a battleground race?

Jamie Allard, Eugene Harnett, and Kelly Merrick ran to replace incumbent Lora Reinbold (R), who did not file for re-election. Merrick married Joey Merrick, the head of the union-aligned political group Working Families for Alaska.[8] Merrick received support from a number of union political funds and union officials, including Public Employees Local 71 and United Association Local 367.[8]

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 14

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Kelly Merrick
Kelly Merrick
 
42.5
 
1,339
Image of Jamie Allard
Jamie Allard
 
36.4
 
1,148
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Eugene Harnett
 
21.1
 
664

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,151
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

House District 15

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes.

What made this a battleground race?

Gabrielle LeDoux held this seat heading into the 2018 elections. She was one of three Republicans to leave their party and join the Democratic-led majority coalition after the 2016 elections. She filed for re-election and drew a primary challenge from former KTUU photographer Aaron Weaver.[9]

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 15

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Gabrielle LeDoux
Gabrielle LeDoux
 
57.4
 
456
Image of Aaron Weaver
Aaron Weaver
 
42.6
 
339

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 795
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

House District 31

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes (running as a nonpartisan candidate)

What made this a battleground race?

Paul Seaton held this seat heading into the 2018 elections. He was one of three Republicans to leave their party and join the Democratic-led majority coalition after the 2016 elections.[10]

After the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that independents could run in party primaries, Seaton filed for re-election as a nonpartisan candidate and chose to run in the Democratic primary.[11] No other Democrats filed to run, while Republicans John Cox (who unsuccessfully challenged Seaton in the 2016 primaries), Sarah Vance, and Hank Kroll filed to run.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 31

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Sarah Vance
Sarah Vance Candidate Connection
 
44.6
 
1,222
Image of John Cox
John Cox
 
40.9
 
1,122
Image of Hank Kroll
Hank Kroll
 
14.5
 
398

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,742
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

House District 32

Did the incumbent file to run for re-election?

Yes.

What made this a battleground race?

Louise B. Stutes held this seat heading into the 2018 elections. She was one of three Republicans to leave their party and join the Democratic-led majority coalition after the 2016 elections. She filed for re-election and drew a primary challenge from Rich Walker. He faced Stutes in the 2014 Republican primary and received 27.8 percent of the vote. Stutes received 43.4 percent and Carol Austerman (R) received 28.8 percent.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Alaska House of Representatives District 32

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Louise Stutes
Louise Stutes
 
54.9
 
959
Image of Rich Walker
Rich Walker
 
45.1
 
788

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,747
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

State party overview

See also: Republican Party of Alaska
Alaska Republican Party.png


State political party revenue

See also: State political party revenue and State political party revenue per capita

State political parties typically deposit revenue in separate state and federal accounts in order to comply with state and federal campaign finance laws. The following table displays the Republican Party of Alaska's revenue over a six-year period from 2011 to 2016. Revenue totals are broken down by account type and year. The data was compiled through publicly available state and federal campaign finance reports.

Republican Party of Alaska revenue, 2011 to 2016[12][13]
Year Federal account State account(s) Total
2011 $83,772.69 --[14] $83,772.69
2012 $363,047.30 $414,040.29 $777,087.59
2013 $76,223.42 $215,469.62 $291,693.04
2014 $1,889,745.53 $491,851.86 $2,381,597.39
2015 $222,147.64 $154,986.78 $377,134.42
2016 $747,560.07 $231,716.89 $979,276.96

Alaska compared to other states

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party maintain state affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and select U.S. territories. The following maps display total state political party revenue per capita for the Democratic and Republican state party affiliates from 2011 to 2016. The blue map displays Democratic state parties and the red map displays Republican state parties. Click on a state below to view the state party's revenue per capita totals:

Total Democratic and Republican state political party revenue per capita in the United States, 2011-2016

Primary election scheduling

Alaska was one of two states to hold a primary election on August 21, 2018.

Voter information

How the primary works

Alaska uses a top-four primary for congressional and state-level offices. Under Alaska's top-four primary system, all candidates for a given office run in a single primary election. The top four vote-getters, regardless of partisan affiliation, then advance to the general election.[15][16]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Alaska, polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. Alaska is divided between the Alaska time zone and the Hawaii-Aleutian time zone. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[17][18]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Alaska, each applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Alaska, and at least 18 years of age or within 90 days of their 18th birthday. An individual convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may not register to vote until their voting rights have been restored. If registered to vote in another state, applicants must be willing to cancel that registration in order to vote in Alaska. To vote in Alaska, registered voters must be at least 18 years old and have been a resident of the state and election district for at least 30 days.[19]

Prospective voters can register online, with a paper form, or in person at a Division of Elections Office or a voter registration agency.[20] The deadline to register or make changes to a registration is 30 days before an election.[21]

If submitting an application form by mail, fax, or email, the applicant must provide one of the following forms of identification either with his or her application or when voting for the first time:[21]

“
  • Current and valid photo identification
  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • State identification card
  • Birth certificate
  • Hunting and Fishing license.[22]
 ”

Automatic registration

Alaska automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they apply for a Permanent Fund Dividend, unless they opt out.[23]

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Alaska has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Alaska allows same-day voter registration in presidential election years, but voters who do so can vote only for the offices of president and vice president.[24]

Residency requirements

Alaska law requires 30 days of residency in the state and election district before a person may vote.[25]

According to the Division of Elections' website, "you are considered an Alaska resident if you reside in the state and intend to remain a resident or, if you temporarily leave the state, you have intention to return (Active military members, spouses or dependents are exempt from the intent to return requirement)."[19]

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Alaska does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[26] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site My Voter Information, run by the Alaska Department of Elections, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Alaska requires voters to present non-photo identification while voting.[27]

The following were accepted forms of identification as of October 2025. Click here for the list of acceptable identification included in state statute to ensure you have the most current information.

  • Voter ID card
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID
  • Other photo ID
  • Passport
  • Hunting or fishing license
  • If you do not have the one of the identifications listed above, you may present a current utility bill or paycheck, government check or bank statement or other government issued document. These documents must have your current residence address.[27]

Early voting

Alaska permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by-mail in Alaska. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee/by-mail.[28]

If a voter is already registered to vote, an absentee ballot application must be received by elections officials at least 10 days prior to the election. If a voter has not yet registered to vote, or needs to update voter registration information, an absentee/mail-in ballot application must be received at least 30 days before the election.[28]


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states. No counties in Alaska are Pivot Counties.

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Alaska with 51.3 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 36.6 percent. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson received 5.9 percent, which was his third-best showing in a state in 2016.[29] From when it gained statehood in 1959 to 2017, Alaska voted Republican in 14 out of 15 presidential elections. The only time it voted Democratic was in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson (D) defeated Senator Barry Goldwater (R) with 61.1 percent of the national vote.[30] From 1960 to 2016, Alaska voted for the winning presidential candidate in 60 percent of presidential elections.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Alaska. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[31][32]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 13 out of 40 state House districts in Alaska with an average margin of victory of 20.4 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 13 out of 40 state House districts in Alaska with an average margin of victory of 17.3 points.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 27 out of 40 state House districts in Alaska with an average margin of victory of 27.5 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 27 out of 40 state House districts in Alaska with an average margin of victory of 27.4 points. Trump won four districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

See also

Federal primaries in Alaska State primaries in Alaska Alaska state party apparatus Alaska voter information
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Flag of Alaska.png
Seal of Alaska.png
Election Policy Logo.png

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ‘’National Review’’, “Trump Is Not Blameless in the Spending-Bill Disaster,” March 28, 2018
  2. ↑ The New York Times, "A New Guide to the Republican Herd," August 26, 2012
  3. ↑ Gallup, "Trump Job Approval Slips Back to 41%," June 25, 2018
  4. ↑ Daily Commercial, "Trump hurdle looms large in Florida GOP governor primary," July 30, 2018
  5. ↑ Daily Commercial, "These 2018 Primaries Are Worth Watching," July 25, 2018
  6. ↑ Washington Post, "Republican primary candidates have one goal: Securing Trump’s endorsement or denying it to an opponent," July 25, 2018
  7. ↑ USA Today, "Donald Trump once divided Republicans; ads for midterms signal that's no longer true," May 17, 2018
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Must Read Alaska, "Shocker: Unions playing big in five key Republican primaries," August 7, 2018
  9. ↑ Must Read Alaska, November 28, 2017
  10. ↑ KBBI, "Republican Party has a contender to run against Rep. Paul Seaton," February 14, 2018
  11. ↑ name=seatonAlaska Public Media, "Seaton files to run as independent in Democratic primary," June 1, 2018
  12. ↑ Alaska Public Offices Commission, "Search Reports," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Alaska Republican Party and Alaska Democratic Party)
  13. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Candidate and Committee Viewer," accessed May 2016 (Search terms Alaska Republican Party and Alaska Democratic Party)
  14. ↑ Complete financial report is unavailable for this period.
  15. ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "August 18, 2020 Primary Election Information," accessed October 20, 2025
  16. ↑ The Alaska Legislature, "Alaska Stat. § 15.25.010," accessed October 20, 2025
  17. ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Polling Place Hours," accessed July 15, 2024
  18. ↑ Find Law, "Alaska Statutes Title 15. Elections 15.15.320. Voters in line when polls close," accessed July 15, 2024
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "Who Can Register And Who Can Vote?" accessed July 15, 2024
  20. ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Register to Vote or Update Your Voter Registration," accessed July 15, 2024
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "State of Alaska Voter Registration Application," accessed July 15, 2024
  22. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  23. ↑ Alaska Department of Revenue, “Automatic voter registration,” accessed July 15, 2024
  24. ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Presidential Elections," accessed July 15, 2024
  25. ↑ Alaska Department of Revenue, “Automatic voter registration,” accessed March 1, 2023
  26. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Statutes 2018 Sec. 15.15.225 Voter identification at polls," accessed October 3, 2025
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Alaska Division of Elections, “Absentee and Early Voting,” accessed July 15, 2024
  29. ↑ Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections, "2016 Presidential General Election Data - National," accessed May 31, 2017
  30. ↑ 270towin.com, "Historical Presidential Elections," accessed May 31, 2017
  31. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  32. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
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Party primaries by state, 2018
Republican primaries, 2018
Democratic primaries, 2018
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