News

Homer residents cast their votes in the 2018 midterm election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Election result updates

The following are preliminary results for the 2018 midterm election, as reported by the Alaska Division of Elections. 11:15 p.m. Update: Governor/Lt. Governor (D) Begich/Call:… Continue reading

Homer residents cast their votes in the 2018 midterm election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
In this Sept. 6 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Walker’s support for Begich is ‘narrow’

When he gave a speech announcing his withdrawal from the election, Gov. Bill Walker told his audience that they should support Democratic candidate Mark Begich.… Continue reading

In this Sept. 6 file photo, Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska Mark Begich, right, speaks as Gov. Bill Walker listens during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, On Friday, Oct. 19, Walker announced he was dropping his bid for re-election, though his name remains on the ballot. He threw his support behind Begich, who will face Republican Mike Dunleavy in November. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation-proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Democratic Anchorage senator declaims pro-Dunleavy ads

A Democratic senator from Anchorage is asking a campaign backing Republican governor candidate Mike Dunleavy to stop using his voice and picture in pro-Dunleavy ads.… Continue reading

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, speaks to his amendment to the state’s operating budget to inflation-proof the Alaska Permanent Fund in the Senate at the Capitol on Thursday, April 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Area residents mingle and talk while waiting for a candidate forum to start Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. The two candidates for the Alaska House of Representatives District 31 seat, Rep. Paul Seaton and Sarah Vance, responded to questions from the audience. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Sarah Vance, Paul Seaton face off at candidate forum

As the November General Election draws nearer next Tuesday, Nov. 6, local candidates are ramping up their public appearances and campaign spending. Alaska House of… Continue reading

Area residents mingle and talk while waiting for a candidate forum to start Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. The two candidates for the Alaska House of Representatives District 31 seat, Rep. Paul Seaton and Sarah Vance, responded to questions from the audience. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Following the money in District 31 representative race

Thirty-day reports released earlier in October by District 31 Representative candidates Paul Seaton and Sarah Vance show where each candidate gets major financial support and… Continue reading

Democratic nominee for governor in Alaska, Mark Begich, speaks during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, as Gov. Bill Walker, left, looks on. The forum featured the three major candidates in the race, including Republican nominee Mike Dunleavy, who is not pictured. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

A discussion with gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich

The Kenai Peninsula’s economy has long been dependent on oil and gas. What will you do to boost the economy on the Kenai Peninsula beyond… Continue reading

Democratic nominee for governor in Alaska, Mark Begich, speaks during a chamber of commerce gubernatorial candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Juneau, Alaska, as Gov. Bill Walker, left, looks on. The forum featured the three major candidates in the race, including Republican nominee Mike Dunleavy, who is not pictured. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker abandons election

Incumbent independent throws support behind Democratic candidate Mark Begich.

Former state Senate Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Paul Seaton, nonpartisan candidate for the Democratic Party nomination, District 31 Representative. (Homer News file photo)

Q&A with Paul Seaton

Ahead of the November general election, the Homer News conducted interviews with incumbent Alaska House of Representatives District 31 Rep. Paul Seaton and newcomer Sarah… Continue reading

Paul Seaton, nonpartisan candidate for the Democratic Party nomination, District 31 Representative. (Homer News file photo)
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigns

It’s unknown what the ‘inappropriate comments’ were that sparked his resignation.

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigned form office Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, and Don Young, Republican incumbent candidate for U.S. House, are seen in a composite image using photographs submitted by their campaigns. (Composite image)

Galvin is beating Rep. Young in fundraising

If Galvin were to defeat Young, it would be a colossal upset.

Alyse Galvin, independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, and Don Young, Republican incumbent candidate for U.S. House, are seen in a composite image using photographs submitted by their campaigns. (Composite image)
Sarah Vance. (Photo by Hannah Vance)

Q & A with Sarah Vance

This week, the Homer News starts its coverage of the District 31 House of Representatives election between incumbent and nonpartisan Rep. Paul Seaton and Republican… Continue reading

Sarah Vance. (Photo by Hannah Vance)
Homer City Clerk Melissa Jacobsen, right, watches as Election Canvass Board members Maryann Lyda, left, and Alice Krivitsky, center, feed ballots through an AccuVote machine during the Oct. 5, 2018, meeting of the canvass board in Homer, Alaska. The board counted the absentee and other ballots uncounted on Tuesday’s election. The overall result did not change, with Ken Caster winning the election of Homer Mayor and Donna Aderhold and Heath Smith winning re-election to the Homer City Council. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

No change in unofficial city, borough election

After counting absentee, questioned and special needs votes, the Homer Election Canvass Board and the Kenai Peninsula Borough found no change in last Tuesday’s unofficial… Continue reading

Homer City Clerk Melissa Jacobsen, right, watches as Election Canvass Board members Maryann Lyda, left, and Alice Krivitsky, center, feed ballots through an AccuVote machine during the Oct. 5, 2018, meeting of the canvass board in Homer, Alaska. The board counted the absentee and other ballots uncounted on Tuesday’s election. The overall result did not change, with Ken Caster winning the election of Homer Mayor and Donna Aderhold and Heath Smith winning re-election to the Homer City Council. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer City Clerk Melissa Jacobsen, right, watches as Election Canvass Board members Maryann Lyda, left, and Alice Krivitsky, center, feed ballots through an AccuVote machine during the Oct. 5, 2018, meeting of the canvass board in Homer, Alaska. The board counted the absentee and other ballots uncounted on Tuesday’s election. The overall result did not change, with Ken Caster winning the election of Homer Mayor and Donna Aderhold and Heath Smith winning re-election to the Homer City Council. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Castner keeps lead in mayor race

After counting of absentee, questioned and special needs votes, the Homer Election Canvass Board found no change in Tuesday’s unofficial results. In the final tally,… Continue reading

Homer City Clerk Melissa Jacobsen, right, watches as Election Canvass Board members Maryann Lyda, left, and Alice Krivitsky, center, feed ballots through an AccuVote machine during the Oct. 5, 2018, meeting of the canvass board in Homer, Alaska. The board counted the absentee and other ballots uncounted on Tuesday’s election. The overall result did not change, with Ken Caster winning the election of Homer Mayor and Donna Aderhold and Heath Smith winning re-election to the Homer City Council. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Nancy Lord, left, and Donna Aderhold, right, wave signs on Pioneer Avenue on election day in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer gets a new mayor, same assembly member in municipal election

In unofficial election results for the lower Kenai Peninsula elections, Ken Castner is the apparent winner for Homer Mayor, defeating three-term former city council member… Continue reading

Nancy Lord, left, and Donna Aderhold, right, wave signs on Pioneer Avenue on election day in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Nancy Lord, left, and Donna Aderhold, right, wave signs on Pioneer Avenue on election day, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Lord campaigned for her husband, Ken Castner, the apparent winner in the city of Homer mayoral race. Aderhold was the top vote-getter for the race for two Homer City Council seats. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer gets a new mayor, same assembly member in municipal election

In unofficial election results for the lower Kenai Peninsula elections, Ken Castner is the apparent winner for Homer Mayor, defeating three-term former city council member… Continue reading

Nancy Lord, left, and Donna Aderhold, right, wave signs on Pioneer Avenue on election day, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Lord campaigned for her husband, Ken Castner, the apparent winner in the city of Homer mayoral race. Aderhold was the top vote-getter for the race for two Homer City Council seats. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kenai Borough Assembly member Willy Dunne, left, and Troy Jones, right, listen to a question at a forum on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, for the District 9 assembly race at the Best Western Inn, Homer, Alaska. Jones is challenging Dunne for the seat. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Dunne, Jones speak at election-eve assembly candidate forum

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly candidates Willy Dunne and Troy Jones met at noon Monday at the Best Western Bidarka Inn in the only election forum… Continue reading

Kenai Borough Assembly member Willy Dunne, left, and Troy Jones, right, listen to a question at a forum on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, for the District 9 assembly race at the Best Western Inn, Homer, Alaska. Jones is challenging Dunne for the seat. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo provided by Willy Dunne</span> Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Willy Dunne, pictured here, is running for re-election in October for a second term.

Willy Dunne seeks second Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly term

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that Willy Dunne’s opinion piece he sought to run in local newspapers was about an ordinance… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo provided by Willy Dunne</span> Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Willy Dunne, pictured here, is running for re-election in October for a second term.
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Homer News file photo</span> An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus.

Props 2, 3 change boundaries of Kenai hospital service areas

Two propositions on the Oct. 2 Kenai Peninsula Borough ballot will be considered separately by voters in the Central Peninsula Hospital Service Area and the… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Homer News file photo</span> An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus.

Aderhold, Smith look forward to next terms on city council

Donna Aderhold and Heath Smith are gearing up to continue their work on the Homer City Council after the Oct. 2 borough-wide election. While there… Continue reading

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Prop 1 asks for a new school for Kachemak Selo

Voters will decide on Tuesday whether about 50 students in a remote Kenai Peninsula village will get what public officials have said is a much-needed… Continue reading

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
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