Some surprising results in primary election at local polls

Ken Smith/Turnagain Times Voter turnout was strong at all local polls for the August 26 Primary Election. Over 38 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls in Girdwood and over 45 percent in other communities on Turnagain Arm and 37 percent in Whittier.

Ken Smith
Turnagain Times

The Aug. 26 Primary Election unofficial results for Turnagain Arm and Whittier were a close reflection of the statewide ballots. Turnout was strong in Girdwood with 38 percent of voters showing up at the polls. Other communities also showed strong numbers: Hope 46 percent, Indian 47 percent and Whittier 37 percent.
Mark Begich won overwhelmingly in the Democratic ticket for US Senator receiving 328 of 388 votes in Girdwood, 42 of 46 votes in Hope, 45 of 62 votes in Hope, and 28 of 35 votes in Whittier.
Ted Stevens also received the majority of votes in the Republican US Senator race with 219 of 263 votes in Girdwood, 20 of 27 votes in Hope, 38 of 55 votes in Indian and 41 of 55 votes in Whittier.
Ethan Berkowitz ran a close race with Diane Benson on the US Representative gaining a victory with 200 votes to Benson’s 150 in Girdwood. He also won in Indian and Hope, but in Whittier Benson edged out Berkowitz with 15 votes to 12 for Berkowitz.
The hotly contested US Representative race on the Republican ticket between Don Young and Sean Parnell had Young winning in all local polls. In Girdwood the vote was 123 for Young and 105 for Parnell.
The House District 32 race between Repbulican Mike Hawker and Brian Richardson ended up a close race. Hawker won in Girdwood with 163 votes to Richardson’s 64. In Indian voters selected Richardson with 29 votes to 23. Hope voted for Hawker 21 to 6. And in Whittier Hawker received 35 votes to Richardson’s 17.
Of the four ballot measures, measure two, which dealt with banning aerial wolf hunting except for emergencies, was approved in Girdwood with 359 yes votes to 326 no votes. In Hope there were 48 yes votes to 32 no votes. Indian votes were 61 no to 60 yes, and in Whitier 56 votes yes to 48 no.
Ballot measure four concerning restricting mining practices Girdwood voters overwhelming supported the measure voting 482 yes to 199 no. Hope voted 44 yes to 36 no. Indian voted 71 yes to 52 no votes, and Whittier voted down the measure 58 to 43.
Ballot measure one, establishing a state gaming commission, was voted down by all the communities except Whittier, which voted 74 to 30 in favor of the measure.
Measure three, providing for public campaign funding, was a close vote in Girdwood, where 334 voted against, 319 for. It was approved 43 to 33 in Hope, but both Indian (66 to 55) and Whittier (57 to 45) voted against.