Alaska State Senate elections, 2026

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← 2024
2026 Alaska Senate Election
Election info
Seats up: 10 Primary: August 8, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
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Elections for the Alaska State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

Ten of the 20 seats in the Alaska State Senate will be up for election on November 3, 2026. The chamber is one of 88 state legislative chambers with elections in 2026. There are 99 chambers throughout the country.

After the 2024 elections, a 17-member coalition with a Democratic majority continued control of the chamber. The coalition of nine Democrats and eight Republicans first assumed control after the November 2022 elections. Members of the Alaska House also formed multipartisan majority coalitions that included both Democrats and Republicans after every election between 2016 and 2024. Heading into the 2026 elections, both chambers have Republican numerical majorities and governing coalitions with Democratic majorities.

In 2020, voters approved a ballot measure that replaced partisan primaries with top-four primaries and introduced ranked-choice voting for the general election. They voted 50.1%-49.9% against a 2024 ballot measure that would have repealed the system established in 2020. As a result, the 2026 elections will feature top-four primaries and ranked-choice general election voting.

On this page, you will find:

• The party control of the chamber
• A list of candidates running for election
• Information on voting in this election
• Data on the competitiveness of this election
• The process to become a candidate
• Election history in the chamber since 2010
• Information about Alaska's political history
• Background on redistricting in Alaska

Party control

See also: Partisan composition of state senates and State government trifectas

Party		As of September 2025
	Democratic Party	9
	Republican Party	11
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		20

Candidates

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Primary

Alaska State Senate primary 2026
Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name.
Office	Democratic	Republican	Other
District A
District C
District E
District G
District I
District K
District M
District O
District Q
District S

General election

Alaska State Senate general election 2026
Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name. Please contact Ballotpedia about candidate additions, withdrawals, or disqualifications.
Office	Democratic	Republican	Other
District A
District C
District E
District G
District I
District K
District M
District O
District Q
District S

Voting information

See also: Voting in Alaska

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Competitiveness

This section will be updated with information about the competitiveness of state legislative elections in Alaska. For more information about Ballotpedia's Competitiveness Analysis of state legislative elections, please click here.

Process to become a candidate

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Alaska

See statutes: Title 15.25 of the Alaska Election Law

A person who seeks to become a candidate for office in a primary election must file a declaration of candidacy. This declaration must be made under oath before an authorized officer and must be filed with the Alaska Division of Elections. The form must be delivered in person or by mail at or before 5:00 p.m. on June 1 of the year in which the general election is taking place.

At the time of filing a declaration of candidacy, a candidate must pay a nonrefundable filing fee to the Alaska Division of Elections. For the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, United States Senator, and United States Representative, the filing fee is $100. The filing fee for state legislative candidates is $30. Candidates must also submit a financial disclosure form (for further information on campaign finance requirements, see this article).

Write-in candidates

A write-in candidate must file a declaration of intent with the Alaska Division of Elections. The form must be filed no later than five days prior to the general election. A write-in candidate must also file a financial disclosure statement alongside the declaration of intent. If a write-in candidate is running for governor, the candidate must file a joint declaration of intent with a candidate for lieutenant governor.

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article II, Section 2 of the Alaska Constitution states: A member of the legislature shall be a qualified voter who has been a resident of Alaska for at least three years and of the district from which elected for at least one year, immediately preceding his filing for office. A senator shall be at least twenty-five years of age.

Salaries and per diem

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024
Salary	Per diem
$84,000/year	$307/day

When sworn in

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Alaska legislators assume office on the third Tuesday of January following their election.

Election history

Expand All

2024

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2024

Control of chamber

On Nov. 6, 2024, Senate President Gary Stevens (R) announced the continuation of the bipartisan coalition first established after the November 2022 elections. It contained all nine Democrats and eight of 11 Republicans. The leadership structure would be as follows:

• Senate President: Gary Stevens (R)
• Majority Leader: Cathy Giessel (R)
• Rules Chair: Bill Wielechowski (D)
• Finance Chair (Operating): Lyman Hoffman (D)
• Finance Chair (Capital): Bert Stedman (R))
• Finance Chair (Bills): Donny Olson (D)
• Majority Whip: Kelly Merrick (R)
• Legislative Budget & Audit Chair: Elvi Gray-Jackson (D)

Timeline

• November 26, 2024: The Senate Majority announced additional committee chairs and priorities. The majority said it would "focus on finding long-term solutions to lower Alaska’s high energy and healthcare costs, provide adequate funding for public education, election reform, and address teachers and public employee recruitment and retention."

• November 5, 2024: Elections were held for 10 out of 20 seats in the chamber. After the election, Democrats held nine seats, and Republicans held 11.

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	9	9
	Republican Party	11	11
Total		20	20

2022

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2022

Control of chamber

All nine Democrats and eight of 11 Republicans announced on November 25, 2022, that they would form a bipartisan governing coalition. The coalition said it would support Gary Stevens (R) as senate president and Cathy Giessel (R) as majority leader.

The chamber's last power-sharing coalition lasted from 2006 through 2012. Stevens served as majority leader until 2008 and as senate president for the remainder of the coalition.

In past sessions, senate leadership has included five members. The coalition expanded leadership to eight members—four Democrats and four Republicans—by adding a third finance co-chairperson and including the posts of majority whip and legislative council chairperson in leadership. The coalition's leaders will be:

Senate President: Gary Stevens

Rules Chairman: Bill Wielechowski

Majority Leader: Cathy Giessel

Majority Whip: Click Bishop

Finance Co-Chairman: Bert Stedman

Finance Co-Chairman: Lyman Hoffman

Finance Co-Chairman: Donald C. Olson

Legislative Council Chairman: Elvi Gray-Jackson

Timeline

• November 30, 2022: The Alaska Division of Elections certified the results of the 2022 Senate elections.

• November 25, 2022: All nine Democrats and eight of 11 Republicans announced they would form a power-sharing coalition with Sen. Gary Stevens (R) as senate president.

• November 8, 2022: Elections were held for 19 out of 20 seats in the chamber. Republicans won 11 seats to Democrats' eight. Democrat Donald C. Olson controlled the seat not up for election, leaving Democrats with nine seats to Republicans' 11.

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	7	9
	Republican Party	13	11
Total		20	20

2020

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2020

Control of chamber

After the 2020 general election, Republicans did not immediately agree on Senate leadership and remained divided on issues such as the state budget, the Alaska Permanent Fund, and Senate rules. Such division led to speculation that a bi-partisan coalition could be formed. Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, said that a coalition was possible, but that "there’s more of them than there are of us, so they’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to their choice." Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, said that Republican senators were "working on a family unit that recognizes and appreciates the strengths and differences of its individual members and trying to build a Senate majority caucus that each member is proud to be a member of."

Senate Republicans ultimately established a majority on January 19, 2021, electing Sen. Peter Micciche (R) the new Senate president, Sen. Shelley Hughes (R) the Senate majority leader, and Sen. Mia Costello (R) as the Senate whip.

Timeline

The following timeline includes important events related to control of the Alaska State Senate in 2021.

• January 19, 2021: Alaska Senate Republicans solidified their control of the Senate in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, overcoming disagreements on a variety of policy issues including the Permanent Fund dividend and state budget. Republicans named Sen. Peter Micciche (R) the new Senate president, Sen. Shelley Hughes (R) the Senate majority leader, and Sen. Mia Costello (R) as the Senate whip.

• November 13, 2020: Alaska's 13 Republican senators and senators-elect convened in Anchorage to choose a new Senate president, but left the meeting without coming to a consensus. Eleven votes were necessary to name a new Senate leader and control the legislative process, but Republican senators were divided on budget issues, the Alaska Permanent Fund, and Senate rules. If Republicans are unable to construct a unified governing faction, some may join with the seven Democratic senators to form a coalition akin to the one created in the Alaska House of Representatives. Sen. Peter Micciche said that a coalition is unlikely and that the meeting is part of a reconciliation process meant to unite Republicans in the Senate.

• November 12, 2020: Tom Begich (D) said that, in a meeting on November 12th, Senate Democrats agreed that protecting education funding, the state program that subsidizes rural electricity prices, and the state ferry system would be a requisite of any majority coalition with Republicans.

• November 3, 2020: A total of 10 of 20 Alaska Senate seats were up for election in 2020, and heading into the election, there were 13 Republicans and 7 Democrats. Of the 10 seats up for election, Republicans won seven seats and Democrats won three seats.

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	7	7
	Republican Party	13	13
Total		20	20

2018

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2018

See also: State legislative elections, 2018

The Republican Party maintained control of the Alaska State Senate and entered into a power-sharing agreement with the Democratic Party in the Alaska House of Representatives in the 2018 election. In the state Senate, 10 out of 20 seats were up for election. The Republican majority was reduced from 14-6 to 13-7. One Republican incumbent was defeated in the general election.

The Alaska House of Representatives was identified as a battleground chamber. All 40 seats were up for election. The Democratic and Republican parties entered into a power-sharing agreement. The Republican majority was reduced from 23-16 to 21-17. One Republican incumbent was defeated in the primary. Two incumbents were defeated in the general election; one Democrat and one independent.

National background

On November 6, 2018, 87 of the nation's 99 state legislative chambers held regularly scheduled elections for 6,073 of 7,383 total seats, meaning that nearly 82 percent of all state legislative seats were up for election.

• Entering the 2018 election, Democrats held 42.6 percent, Republicans held 56.8 percent, and independents and other parties held 0.6 percent of the seats up for regular election.
• Following the 2018 election, Democrats held 47.3 percent, Republicans held 52.3 percent, and independents and other parties held 0.4 percent of the seats up for regular election.
• A total of 469 incumbents were defeated over the course of the election cycle, with roughly one-third of them defeated in the primary.

Want more information?

• Incumbents defeated in 2018's state legislative elections
• 2018 election analysis: Partisan balance of state legislative chambers
• 2018 election analysis: Number of state legislators by party
• 2018 election analysis: State legislative supermajorities

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	6	7
	Republican Party	14	13
Total		20	20

2016

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2016

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	6	6
	Republican Party	14	14
Total		20	20

2014

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2014

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2014	After November 4, 2014
	Democratic Party	7	6
	Republican Party	13	14
Total		20	20

2012

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2012

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the majority was split in the Alaska State Senate:

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	10	7
	Republican Party	10	13
Total		20	20

Game-changers

Alaska State Senate: The State Senate was in the unique position of being equally split between Democrats and Republicans, with each party holding 10 seats. Republicans controlled the redistricting process, increasing the likelihood that they would gain control of the Upper Chamber in 2012. Republicans did ultimately take the majority after the 2012 election with a 13-7 split in the senate.

Primaries

Senate

• In District 13(M) incumbent Bettye Davis defeated Harry Crawford, Jr. in the Democratic primary. The winner, Davis, was defeated by incumbent Anna Fairclough (R) in the general election.

House

• Incumbent Pete Petersen defeated Lynette Moreno Hinz in the Democratic primary in District 25. The winner, Peterson, was defeated by incumbent Republican Lance Pruitt in the general election.

• In District 33, incumbent Peggy Wilson (R) defeated Patricia Mackey and Agnes Moran. Wilson went on to defeat incumbent Kyle Johansen (I) and challenger Matt Olsen (D) in the general election.

General election

Senate

• In District 1(A), Joe Thomas (D) was defeated by John Coghill, Jr. (R).

• In District 17(Q), Albert Kookesh (D) was defeated by Bert Stedman (R).

House

• In District 2, incumbent Democrat Bob Miller was defeated by Republican Tammie Wilson.

• In District 38, incumbent David Guttenberg (D) defeated incumbent Alan S. Dick (R).

2010

::See also: Alaska State Senate elections, 2010

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 2 election, Republicans and Democrats held equal control in the Alaska State Senate:

Alaska State Senate
Party		As of November 1, 2010	After the 2010 Election
	Democratic Party	10	10
	Republican Party	10	10
Total		20	20

Alaska political history

Trifectas

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government.

Alaska Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Six years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	I	I	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	I	I	I	I	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	S	S	S
House	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	S	S	S	S	S	S	S

Presidential politics in Alaska

2024

See also: Presidential election, 2024

Presidential election results in Alaska, 2024

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Donald Trump in round 1 .

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Donald Trump	54.5	184,458	0	Won (1)
		Kamala D. Harris	41.4	140,026	0	1
		Robert F. Kennedy Jr.	1.7	5,670	0	1
		Chase Oliver	0.9	3,040	0	1
		Jill Stein	0.7	2,342	0	1
		Cornel West	0.3	1,127	0	1
		Randall Terry	0.2	812	0	1
		Peter Sonski	0.2	702	0	1

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 338,177
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

2020

See also: Presidential election, 2020

Presidential election in Alaska, 2020

		Candidate/Running mate	%	Popular votes	Electoral votes
✔		Donald Trump/Mike Pence (R)	52.8	189,951	3
		Joe Biden/Kamala D. Harris (D)	42.8	153,778	0
		Jo Jorgensen/Spike Cohen (L)	2.5	8,897	0
		Jesse Ventura/Cynthia McKinney (Green Party of Alaska)	0.7	2,673	0
		Don Blankenship/William Mohr (Constitution Party)	0.3	1,127	0
		Brock Pierce/Karla Ballard (Independent)	0.2	825	0
		Roque De La Fuente/Darcy Richardson (Alliance Party)	0.1	318	0
		Other write-in votes	0.5	1,961	0

---

Incumbents are bolded and underlined The results have been certified.

Total votes: 359,530

2016

See also: Presidential election, 2016

U.S. presidential election, Alaska, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes	Electoral votes
	Democratic	Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine	36.6%	116,454	0
	Republican	Donald Trump/Mike Pence	51.3%	163,387	3
	Libertarian	Gary Johnson/Bill Weld	5.9%	18,725	0
	Green	Jill Stein/Ajamu Baraka	1.8%	5,735	0
	Constitution	Darrell Lane Castle/Scott Bradley	1.2%	3,866	0
	Non-affiliated	Rocky De La Fuente/Michael Steinberg	0.4%	1,240	0
	-	Write-in votes	2.9%	9,201	0
Total Votes				318,608	3
Election results via: Alaska Division of Elections

Alaska presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 1 Democratic win
• 16 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Redistricting following the 2020 census

Alaska completed its state legislative redistricting on May 24, 2022, when the Alaska Redistricting Board adopted a new map of state Senate districts at the direction of the state supreme court. In its ruling, the Alaska Supreme Court upheld a May 16, 2022, decision by the Third District of Alaska's Superior Court that determined that the mapping of state House districts to Senate ones was unconstitutional and ordered the Alaska Redistricting Board to adopt another proposed plan for pairing the districts. Click here to read more about litigation surrounding Alaska's legislative boundaries. These maps took effect for Alaska's 2022 legislative elections. On May 15, 2023, the Alaska Redistricting Board adopted its 2022 interim maps as final state legislative maps. The final maps were used in the 2024 elections.

Alaska had initially enacted legislative district boundaries on November 10, 2021, following a 3-2 vote by the Alaska Redistricting Board. The three Republican-appointed board members voted in favor of the map and the two nonpartisan board members voted against it. On March 25, 2022, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that one state House and one state Senate district did not comply with the state constitution and required they be redrawn. The Alaska Redistricting Board adopted new legislative district boundaries to comply with the state supreme court's ruling on April 13, 2022.

External links

Suggest a link

• Alaska State Senate

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Alaska State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Gary Stevens

Majority Leader:Catherine Giessel

Senators

District A

Bert Stedman (R)

District B

Jesse Kiehl (D)

District C

Gary Stevens (R)

District D

Jesse Bjorkman (R)

District E

Catherine Giessel (R)

District F

James Kaufman (R)

District G

Elvi Gray-Jackson (D)

District H

Matt Claman (D)

District I

Loki Tobin (D)

District J

Forrest Dunbar (D)

District K

Bill Wielechowski (D)

District L

Kelly Merrick (R)

District M

Shelley Hughes (R)

District N

Robert Yundt (R)

District O

Mike Shower (R)

District P

Scott Kawasaki (D)

District Q

Robert Myers (R)

District R

Mike Cronk (R)

District S

Lyman Hoffman (D)

District T

Donald Olson (D)

Republican Party (11)

Democratic Party (9)