Heath Smith, right, Candidate for State Senate District C, waves signs on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. At left, Charlie Franz shows his support for Rep. Sarah Vance, running for re-election and for the new District 6. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Heath Smith, right, Candidate for State Senate District C, waves signs on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. At left, Charlie Franz shows his support for Rep. Sarah Vance, running for re-election and for the new District 6. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Stevens, Vance lead in preliminary results.

If results hold, incumbents could win on first round of ranked-choice voting.

Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, appeared on Tuesday night headed to reelection victories.

As of 9:40 p.m., in the Senate District C race, and with 14 of 21 precincts counted, Stevens was prevailing against Heath Smith, R-Homer, and Walter Jones, R-Anchor Point. Stevens led with 4,341 votes or 51.42% to 2,980 votes or 35.30% for Smith and 1,074 or 12.72% for Jones.

For the House District 6 race with 8 or 9 precincts counted, Vance had 3,457 or 61.22% to Louie Flora with 2,002 or 35.45% and Ginger Bryant with 179 or 3.17%.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Under Alaska’s ranked choice voting process, if Stevens and Vance hold on to a majority of more than 50%, they will win the election outright.

“I’m pleased with that,” Stevens said of the preliminary results. “I’m glad to see where it is right now. Hopefully, we’ll know more soon. We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Preliminary results:

Senate District C, 14 of 21 precincts reporting

Walter H. Jones, Republican, Anchor Point: 1,075, 12.72%

Heath Smith, Republican, Homer: 2,980, 35.30%

Gary Stevens, Republican, Kodiak, incumbent, 4,341, 51.42%

House District 6, 8 of 9 precincts reporting

Ginger Bryant, nonpartisan, Homer, 179, 3.17%

Louie Flora, nonpartisan, Homer, 2,002, 35.45%

Sarah Vance, Republican, Homer, incumbent, 3,457, 61.22%

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, waves a campaign flag on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. Vance was part of a group supporting Republican Party candidates including Heath Smith, running for State Senate District C, Kelly Tshibaka, running for U.S. Senate, and Nick Begich III, running for U.S. Congress. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, waves a campaign flag on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. Vance was part of a group supporting Republican Party candidates including Heath Smith, running for State Senate District C, Kelly Tshibaka, running for U.S. Senate, and Nick Begich III, running for U.S. Congress. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Republican Party supporters wave signs on Tuesday, Nov. 8. 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska, in support of Republican Party candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Heath Smith, running for State Senate District C, Kelly Tshibaka, running for U.S. Senate, and Nick Begich III, running for U.S. Congress. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Republican Party supporters wave signs on Tuesday, Nov. 8. 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska, in support of Republican Party candidates Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Heath Smith, running for State Senate District C, Kelly Tshibaka, running for U.S. Senate, and Nick Begich III, running for U.S. Congress. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Louie Flora, center, a candidate for District 6 State House Representative, waves a sign on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Behind him is former Rep. Paul Seaton and Tina Seaton, and in front is his wife, Sarah Banks, brother Mikee Flora, and friend Chelsea Jones. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Louie Flora, center, a candidate for District 6 State House Representative, waves a sign on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Behind him is former Rep. Paul Seaton and Tina Seaton, and in front is his wife, Sarah Banks, brother Mikee Flora, and friend Chelsea Jones. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Friends and family of Louie Flora wave signs in support of the candidate for District 6 State House Representative on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Chelsea Jones, Jon Flora, Sandy the dog, Sarah Banks and Mikee Flora. Louie Flora's children Sidney and Rocco are in the tent to the right. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Louie Flora, center, a candidate for District 6 State House Representative, waves a sign on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, on Pioneer Avenue in Homer, Alaska. Behind him is former Rep. Paul Seaton and Tina Seaton, and in front is his wife, Sarah Banks, brother Mikee Flora, and friend Chelsea Jones. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

More in News

A protester throws a peace sign on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
More than 600 gather in Homer for ‘Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference’ rally

It was at least the third time this year the Homer community gathered to protest the Trump administration.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in support overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of House Bill 69 at the Alaska Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Legislature upholds governor’s veto of increased school funding

The governor last week said he vetoed House Bill 69 because it didn’t include any policy changes and because of the state’s “deteriorated” revenue outlook.

Kenai Central High School’s Kyle Foster speaks during the 35th Annual Caring for the Kenai Oral Presentations at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward freshman wins 35th Caring for the Kenai with thermal asphalt proposal

Twelve finalists were chosen in this year’s competition.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy’s veto of education funding bill puts pressure on lawmakers during final month of session

Governor also previews new bill with $560 BSA increase, plus additional funds for policy initiatives.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly kills resolution asking for option to cap property assessment increases

Alaska municipalities are required by state statute to assess all properties at their full and true value.

City of Kenai Public Works Director Scott Curtain; City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel; Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche; Sen. Lisa Murkowski; Col. Jeffrey Palazzini; Elaina Spraker; Adam Trombley; and Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank cut the ribbon to celebrate the start of work on the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai bluff stabilization info meeting rescheduled for April 30

Originally, the event was scheduled for the same time as the Caring for the Kenai final presentations.

Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peninsula organizations awarded mental health trust grants

Three organizations, in Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna, recently received funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on Thursday, April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council hears call to lessen chicken restrictions

The Soldotna City Council this month heard from people calling for a… Continue reading

Mount Spurr, raised to Advisory on the Volcano Alert Level, can be seen in yellow northwest of the Kenai Peninsula. (Map courtesy Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Department of the Interior)
Spurr activity ‘declined slightly’

If an eruption were to occur, there would be noticeable indicators that may provide days to weeks of additional warning.

Most Read