Two incumbent Republicans in the Alaska House of Representatives will clash in a fall election for the Alaska Senate.
On Thursday, Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, and Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, filed notices that they will run for the seat vacated by Sen. Anna MacKinnon.
“It’s going to be an interesting race,” Saddler said by phone when reached by the Empire.
MacKinnon, who served on the Anchorage Assembly for seven years and in the Alaska House of Representatives for six, was elected to the Senate in 2012. Earlier this year, she announced she will not seek re-election.
Reinbold announced her intentions with a text message to the Empire Thursday afternoon. Reinbold was at the counter in the Anchorage elections office, filling out the paperwork, when the Empire called the division to confirm the application.
Reinbold, a 40-year Alaska resident, was elected to the Legislature in 2012 after serving on the South Fork Community Council and as vice president of the District 12 Republicans.
Saddler has served in the Legislature since 2010 after serving as a Legislative aide and press secretary to both the House Majority and the governor. He also served as a board member of the Alaska Press Club while working for the Anchorage Times.
No other Republicans have yet filed to run in the race for Senate District G, which includes two House districts at the northern and eastern edges of the Municipality of Anchorage. Democrat Oliver Schiess has filed to run for the seat as well.
Reinbold was accompanied to the Division of Elections office by Jamie Allard, who is running for the House seat Reinbold is leaving behind.
Allard has lived in Eagle River for eight years and served in the U.S. Army for nine years. She has two children and is married to a fellow veteran.
• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.
Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (center right) is seen in a 2011 file photo. (Juneau Empire file)
