Republican Don Young, Alaska’s only representative in the U.S. House, is projected to win his re-election bid, according to the Associated Press.
The 85-year-old incumbent, who was first elected to Congress in 1973, bears the ceremonial title of “dean of the House” due to being the longest serving member of the House.
Young staved off a challenge from political newcomer Alyse Galvin, who ran as an Independent but vowed to caucus with the Democrats if she won.
With 88 percent of the precincts reporting, Young is 20,000 points ahead of Galvin, leading by 54.3 percent to Galvin’s 45.7 percent.
A recent Alaska Survey Research poll showed Young trailing Galvin 48 to 49 percent among likely voters. But in the end, Alaska voters like Ryan Hansen of Anchorage found Galvin “too much of an unknown.”
Young, on the other hand, has long been regarded as a “known quality” among Alaskans. Some voters, like Sheila Hill and Cliff Johnson, threw their support behind Young due to his proven record of marshaling federal resources to benefit Alaskan voters.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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