"Senate District Q"

Independent candidate Don Etheridge conceded the race for Senate District Q to Democratic opponent Jesse Kiehl late Tuesday night.

The Juneau Chamber of Commerce legislative forum coincided with the day Permanent Fund Dividends are set to appear in Alaskans mail boxes and bank accounts.

Unions and Republicans aren’t natural allies, but there is one issue that’s clearly tying the candidate’s support together.  

Jesse Kiehl has spent the past two decades working in the Capitol, first as a staffer for former Gov. Tony Knowles, then as a legislative aide for former Sen. Kim Elton. He served as an aide for outgoing Sen. Dennis Egan until this year.

Cotter said he doesn’t plan to endorse anyone else in the race. His withdrawal leaves Democrat Jesse Kiehl and nonpartisan Don Etheridge vying for the Senate District Q seat.

Two more candidates have joined the race for the state Senate seat representing Juneau and other northern Southeast communities: Juneau Assembly member Jesse Kiehl and longtime labor leader Don Etheridge.

Educator Sara Hannan and union leader Chris Dimond filed for the House District 33 seat, which includes downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, Thane and some other capital city neighborhoods, plus Haines, Skagway, Klukwan and Gustavus.

Republican Rep. Cathy Muñoz opted not to seek a leadership position in the Alaska House Majority, while Sen. Dennis Egan will caucus with fellow Democrats.

All three of the capital city’s state lawmakers handily won re-election Tuesday

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai says those ballots could make a difference