Kawasaki served in the Alaska Legislature in the House and Senate for 18 years. Hajdukovich, a small business owner, served on the Fairbanks school board, co-chaired the Vote No on 1 campaign in 2014 and worked as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan's Fairbanks regional director for five years.

Kawasaki and Hajdukovich did not respond to the News-Miner's request for comment by deadline.

In the competitive race for Senate District R, initial results showed Republican incumbent Mike Cronk leading with 51.45% of the vote, or 6,825 votes. He was followed by nonpartisan Savannah Fletcher with 42.40%, or 5,624 votes, and Alaska Independence Robert “Bert” Williams with 5.88%, or 780 votes. 21 of 48 counties in Senate District R reported results as of 9:55 p.m

Fletcher, a civil rights attorney, said she hopes for better results Tuesday night.

“With these first numbers, it’s not what I was hoping for. There is still a long way to go and I want to respect everyone’s voice,” she said. She added that she was proud that her campaign valued every person in her district, whether they lived in Fairbanks or a village.

Williams, an apprentice machinist, said Tuesday night: “I'm mostly glad it's over, no matter what happens next.”

Williams isn't sure he would run for office again. “It is good for everyone to remember that politicians will not solve all their problems and that they also have to work to solve their problems,” he said.

Cronk, a retired teacher who represents House District 36, did not respond to the News-Miner's request for comment by deadline.

According to the Alaska Division of Elections, early ballots through Oct. 31 were counted on election night, and early ballots from Nov. 1 through Tuesday will be counted on Nov. 12. Mail-in ballots must be counted no later than November 20th.

According to the Alaska Division of Elections, ranked choice voting results will not be available until November 20th.