Representative Lance Pruitt (R) vs. Representative Pete Petersen (D) in Muldoon / East Anchorage

This incumbent-vs.-incumbent match-up became a little ugly, with Petersen running an ad saying Pruitt voted against the Permanent Fund, a gross distortion.

Former Representative Gabrielle LeDoux (R) vs. Kay Rollison (D) and write-in candidate Barbara Bachmeier in Muldoon / Elmendorf

LeDoux faces charges of being a carpetbagger, as she previously represented Kodiak in the House. Rollison is a last-minute replacement for the Democrats. Bachmeier complained that the Division of Elections took her off the primary ballot for not meeting residency requirements; the division said she finally qualified in time for the general election.

Representative Charisse Millett (R) vs. Patti Higgins (D) in South Anchorage

Millett and former House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen of Ketchikan walked out of the Republican organizational meeting after the last election because Millett didn't get the committee assignments she wanted. This was an issue for constituents because she gave up significant influence by leaving the majority. Higgins is a former member of the school board, and, until recently, the state chair of the Democratic Party.

Odds and ends

The socially conservative Alaska Family Council wants people in the local judicial district to vote against the retention of Superior Court Judge Sen Tan, who has ruled against a parent's consent for a minor's abortion, among other decisions that rankle supporters of traditional family values.

There is a question on the ballot about whether the state should have a constitutional convention – Ballot Measure No. 1. This question is asked every 10 years, as required by the constitution. There appears to be no organized effort for a "yes" vote, whereas there have been several op-eds advising against what could be a free-for-all re-write of the document.

Also on the ballot are nearly half a billion dollars worth of general obligation bonds for transportation projects. The largest single item is $50 million dollars for expanding the Port of Anchorage. There's $50 million more for two projects on the Glenn highway, including reconstruction of the interchange with Muldoon Road. $26 million dollars would go to reconstructing the intersection of the New Seward Highway and 36th Avenue.

Election night is basically the start of the 2014 campaign, in which both Governor Parnell and U.S. Senator Mark Begich will be up for re-election. Both those contests will actually be under way a year from now, and the positioning and posturing will begin with this year's election results.