Ducks swim on Jewel Lake in South Anchorage on Oct. 7. Jewel Lake is one of the many lakes in House District 15. The outcome of this House race could be important in determining control of the next Legislature. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
In southwest Anchorage, an area known for its lakes, parks and quiet green spaces, the race for a legislative seat is between two candidates who fell short in their election bids two years ago.
The Democrat in the race is Denny Wells , a data analyst-turned-professional photographer who lost in 2022 to the incumbent representative, Republican Tom McKay, by a mere seven votes .
The Republican is Mia Costello , a teacher who represented that part of Anchorage in the House from 2011 to 2014 and in the Senate from 2015 to 2022, including a stint as Senate majority leader. Costello lost her Senate reelection bid in 2022 to Democrat Matt Claman, an attorney and current chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
McKay is not running to retain his House seat. He mounted a campaign for the Senate seat representing that part of Anchorage, but then dropped out of the race after the Aug. 20 primary.