Out of 1,904 registered voters in Wrangell, according to preliminary election results for the 2018 midterms, there was a local turnout of 733. This is a percentage of 38.5 percent. Kim Lane, Wrangell city clerk, said there were 175 early ballots that were not yet counted. Statewide, Alaska had a voter turnout of 41.9 percent, or 239,604 votes cast out of 571,851 registered voters.
Alaskan voters had the opportunity to vote for a new governor and U.S. Representative. The “Stand For Salmon” ballot measure one was also voted on. Wrangell, a part of District 36, also got to choose a new state representative.
Mike Dunleavy, the Republican candidate for governor, won with 52.24 percent of the vote. Democratic nominee Mark Begich received 43.71 percent of the vote. Billy Toein, a Libertarian candidate, received 1.84 percent of the vote. Bill Walker, the incumbent candidate who suspended his campaign in October, got two percent of the vote. Wrangell supported Dunleavy with 475 votes to 209 for Begich.
Don Young, incumbent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, was chosen to serve in Congress for yet another term. Young has served as representative since the 1970’s and is one of the longest serving Congressmen in the nation. He won his re-election with 53.77 percent of the vote. His opponent, Democrat Alyse Galvin, only received 45.81 percent of the vote. Wrangell also gave its support to Young with 469 votes against 252 for Galvin.
The “Stand for Salmon” ballot measure one, hotly debated across the state, was rejected by voters. The measure, which was intended to increase protections for salmon populations and other fish by requiring new permits for construction projects, received a “No” vote of 63.4 percent state wide. In Wrangell, the measure was especially unpopular among voters. There were 515 votes rejecting the ballot, and only 201 approving of it.
Another incumbent candidate who won re-election this year was Dan Ortiz, the unaffiliated state representative for District 36. Ortiz won 57.62 percent of the vote across his district. His opponent, Republican candidate Trevor Shaw, got 41.24 percent of the vote. The race between the two candidates was close in Wrangell. Ortiz took the lead by a small margin, 380 votes against Shaw’s 340.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected to serve another two years as your representative,” said Ortiz.
Ortiz added that he plans to visit Wrangell before the next session of the state house of representatives opens, to learn more about the city’s needs and priorities.
Wrangell Election results list
Governor
Mike Dunleavy, 475;
Mark Begich, 209.
U.S. Representative
Don Young, 469;
Alyse Galvin, 252.
Ballot Measure One,
“Stand For Salmon”
Yes, 201;
No, 515.
State Representative
Dan Ortiz, 380;
Trevor Shaw, 340
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