Andrea Doll leads in House District 4 race

Democrats claimed victory Tuesday in the two House races and one Senate contest decided by Juneau voters.

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Andrea Doll was narrowly defeating Republican Randy Wanamaker in House District 4 late Tuesday. State Sen. Kim Elton was re-elected to a third term despite a spirited challenge from Republican Mac Meiners. Democrat Beth Kerttula was unopposed for the House District 3 seat.

With all precincts counted, Doll was leading by 61 votes, 3,003 to 2,942, or a difference of about a percentage point.

Doll called the lead "by a breath, half a breath," but said she thought it would hold even after final absentee ballots and questioned ballots came in by Nov. 20.

Wanamaker said he was surprised that the turnout wasn't higher.

"I think the numbers tonight are low. Whether they'll hold I don't know," he said. "I think that what would have been helpful to my candidacy is if we had a higher turnout."

Doll and Wanamaker were campaigning for a seat held by Republican Bruce Weyhrauch, who did not run for re-election.

For Doll, a 66-year-old retired teacher, this was her first bid for elective office. She moved to Juneau nine years ago and has been active in the community.

Elton led Meiners 63 to 37 percent for the Senate District B seat with all but one precinct reporting.

Elton predicted a new mood in the Senate as Democrats expanded their presence to nine seats, giving the Republicans, who have controlled the body in recent years, a slim 11-9 majority.

"I think the Senate is going to be a much different place, a better place," to be a Democrat, Elton said.

Elton, 58, is a writer and retired head of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

During the campaign, Meiners and Wanamaker touted the benefits of being a member of the majority party.

"The majority gets things done," Meiners said.

Local candidates mostly agreed on issues such as the Kensington Mine and state revenue sharing with local governments.