AP declares for Walker; Parnell concedes

As votes continued to be counted in Alaska’s gubernatorial contest, the Associated Press declared challenger Bill Walker the winner and Gov. Sean Parnell conceded the election.

As of Nov. 17, ballots had been counted for 55.98 percent of 509,011 registered voters. The nonaligned “unity” ticket of Bill Walker and Byron Mallott had 48.1 percent of votes cast for governor, 134,428, to 45.87 percent, 128,203, for Parnell and Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan.

The tally in the race for U.S. Senator, with Republican Dan Sullivan the winner, was 135,207, 47.9 percent, for Sullivan and 129,170, 45.83 percent, for incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Begich.

In Alaska legislative races, there were no close Senate contests.

In the House, Democrat Matt Claman led Republican Anand Dubey 3,847 to 3,756 in Anchorage district 21, 50.41 percent to 49.22 percent. In Southeast, nonaffiliated Daniel Ortiz led Republican Chere Klein 3,527 to 3,425, 50.57 percent to 49.11 percent, in district 36.

The Associated Press reported that Alaska voter turnout was the highest it had been in a midterm general election since 1994, with this year’s 56 percent compared to 64 percent in 1994.

- Kristen Nelson