United States House of Representatives elections in Alaska, 2012

The 2012 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the U.S. representative from Alaska's at-large congressional district, who will represent the state of Alaska in the 113th United States Congress. The election coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. As is the case every twelve years in Alaska, this was the only statewide election contest in the state held in 2012. A primary election was held on August 28, 2012.

2012 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska

← 2010 November 6, 2012 2014 →

Nominee Don Young Sharon Cissna Jim McDermott Party Republican Democratic Libertarian Popular vote 185,296 82,927 15,028 Percentage 63.9% 28.6% 5.2%

Results by state house district Young:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cissna:      40–50%

Representative At-large before election Don Young Republican Elected Representative At-large Don Young Republican

Primary elections

Republican

Candidates

Advanced to general

• Don Young, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• John R. Cox, retired Navy officer and candidate for this seat in 2010
• Terre Gales, asset manager, former defense contractor, and Air Force veteran

Primary results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Young (incumbent)	58,789	78.6
	Republican	John Cox	11,179	14.9
	Republican	Terre Gales	4,841	6.5
Total votes			74,809	100

ADL (Alaskan Independence–Democratic–Libertarian)

Democratic Candidates

Advanced to general

• Sharon Cissna, state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Debra Chesnut, nurse and businesswoman
• Matt Moore, businessman and former candidate for the Alaska Legislature
• Doug Urquidi, Electrician candidate for Anchorage Assembly in 2011
• Frank J. Vondersaar, lawyer, engineer, perennial candidate and nominee for Senate in 2002

Libertarian Candidates

Advanced to general

• Jim C. McDermott, business professor

Primary results

ADL combined primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sharon Cissna	16,329	42.8
	Democratic	Matt Moore	7,374	19.3
	Libertarian	Jim McDermott	5,741	15.0
	Democratic	Debra Chesnut	5,626	14.7
	Democratic	Frank Vondersaar	2,085	5.5
	Democratic	Doug Urquidi	1,034	2.7
Total votes			38,189	100

Independents

• Ted Gianoutsos of Anchorage. Perennial candidate who filed by nominating petition to run as an independent (referred to as "Non-Affiliated" by the Alaska Division of Elections).
• Clinton Desjarlais of Anchorage. Non-affiliated write-in candidate
• Fletcher Fuller Jr. of Anchorage. Non-affiliated write-in candidate
• Sidney Hill of Palmer. Non-affiliated write-in candidate

General election

Endorsements

Don Young (R)

Organizations

• National Rifle Association of America
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Results

2012 Alaska's at-large congressional district election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Don Young (incumbent)	185,296	63.9	−5.0
	Democratic	Sharon Cissna	82,927	28.6	−1.9
	Libertarian	Jim McDermott	15,028	5.2	N/A
	Independent	Ted Gianoutsos	5,589	1.9	N/A
	n/a	Write-ins	964	0.3	−0.2
Majority			102,369	35.3	−3.1
Total votes			289,804	100.0
	Republican hold

References

1. "2011/12 Election Dates and Hours". Juneau: Alaska Division of Elections. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
2. Klint, Chris (February 22, 2012). "Rep. Don Young Files to Run for 21st Term". ktuu.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
3. "August 28, 2012 Primary Candidate List". Juneau: Alaska Division of Elections. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
4. Burke, Jill (August 23, 2012). "Long shots face long odds in quest to unseat Alaska Congressman Don Young". Alaska Dispatch. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
5. Nesper, Mike (June 13, 2012). "ER's Gales: Congress lacks 'courage'". Alaska Star. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
6. "State of Alaska 2012 Primary Election - August 28, 2012 - Official Results". State of Alaska Division of Elections. September 17, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
7. Mauer, Richard (April 11, 2012). "Cissna announces run for Congress". Anchorage Daily News. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
8. "Anchorage Democrat plans to run against Young for Congress". Anchorage Daily News. Associated Press. May 9, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
9. Toeplitz, Shira; Trygstad, Kyle; Peoples, Steve (May 24, 2011). "At-Large Seats Seem Safe for Both Parties". Roll Call. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
10. "Undeterred by failed Assembly bid, Urquidi plans to run for Congress". Alaska Star. May 11, 2011. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
11. "State of Alaska General Election - November 5, 2002 - Official Results" (PDF). Juneau: Alaska Division of Elections. December 6, 2002. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
12. "November 6, 2012 General Election Candidate List". Juneau: Alaska Division of Elections. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
13. "Upcoming Election - Alaska". Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
14. "Endorsements" (PDF). National Right to Life. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
15. "Help With Voting". Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
16. "State of Alaska 2012 General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results" (PDF). Alaska Division of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 7, 2012.

External links

• Division of Elections at Alaska Government
• Alaska U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com
• United States House of Representatives elections in Alaska, 2012 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets
• Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation