Updated: December 9, 2022 Published: December 9, 2022
A recount in an Anchorage House race did not change the results, and Republican incumbent Tom McKay will retain his seat.
The recount was conducted Thursday by the Division of Elections, following a request by Democrat Denny Wells, who ran against McKay. Wells attributed the recount request to a seven-vote gap that separated him from McKay in the initial ranked choice tabulation.
Republican David Eibeck also ran, finishing third in the race to represent House District 15.
The recount increased McKay’s lead from seven to nine votes, representing a 0.12% margin.
Lawmakers have said the recount in the election was one of several factors delaying the formation of a majority in the state House, where Republicans won 21 out of 40 seats but have so far been unable to form a majority.
Legal challenges over the candidacies of Republican David Eastman of Wasilla and Democrat Jenny Armstrong of Anchorage have also been cited as reasons for delaying organization.
[Recount in Anchorage Senate race reaffirms Republican Cathy Giessel as winner]
