It looks like Independent incumbent Representative Rebecca Himschoot of Sitka has won her reelection bid in the District 2 State House race. That’s according to unofficial results from Tuesday night, with all precincts reporting. She ran against Republican Kenny Karl Skaflestad of Hoonah and Independent Alston Evans of Klawock.
District 2 covers a large geographical area, representing the entire western coastline of Southeast Alaska from Yakutat down to Hydaburg, including Sitka and Petersburg.
As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Himschoot held a strong lead with nearly 56% of the vote.
Himschoot, who has held the District 2 seat since 2022, talked with KCAW at a watch party on election night. She said after serving two terms, she feels more prepared.
“I have 21 communities spread over 500 miles, and it’s the most spectacular district in the state. I’m absolutely certain of that,” Himschoot said. “But it takes time to get to communities. It takes time to get to know the people. So for me personally, each year that I get to have this role, I think I become more competent in the legislating work, but also in the work of knowing the district and knowing the issues in the communities.”
Himschoot said the possibility of having a Democratic governor for the first time in more than two decades will serve them in the Legislature. As of 11:30 p.m., fellow Sitkan Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins was leading the gubernatorial race with 49% of the vote.
“Our conflict in the legislature for the last four years has been really kind of the Legislature versus the governor,” she said. “And we’re in a position now that looks like it will be the governor and the Legislature being in a better position to work together. So, in the last four years, not much has changed in the legislature, but in the next four years, I expect significant changes.”
Himschoot said each election cycle is a lot of work, and she’s happy to put this one in the rearview mirror.
The District 2 House seat is a 2-year term, with an annual salary of $84,000.
