"Lynn Gattis"

The switch to inflation-adjusted salaries will automatically take effect after the next election unless lawmakers and the governor reject it.

Across Southcentral and Interior Alaska, challengers who generally had raised less campaign cash than the incumbents were at least holding their own. 

Tuesday is primary day in Alaska, but the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive down election day turnout. And a record number of Alaskans have requested absentee ballots. Since absentee ballot counting won’t start until a week after the primary election day, results of close races may not be known until the end of August.

The lieutenant governor has limited duties under the state constitution: to succeed the governor if necessary, and to oversee initiatives and referendums.

The four candidates talked about party loyalty, sexual harassment and federal overreach on Friday.

If voters amend the Alaska Constitution, then more students may also be able to borrow to pay for college.

The governor will continue to be able to appoint the 11 Board of Regents members without geographic limits on where they live.

Three Republican incumbents and two Democrats who caucused with the Republicans trailed their opponents in a primary that drew only 15 percent of voters

Several incumbent legislators seeking re-election or leaving House seats to pursue Senate seats were rebuffed, including Reps. Lynn Gattis, Craig Johnson, Jim Colver and Bob Lynn.

State budget director Pat Pitney said the no action plan would cut funding to state agencies from more than $4 billion to only $1.5 billion, creating a dire situation.