Vance-Johnson rematch gives southern Kenai Peninsula a cleaner House race

House District 6 is back to a two-candidate choice after a three-way 2024 race helped define the last result.

The Alaska Division of Elections lists Rep. Sarah Vance, a Homer Republican, as a certified incumbent. It lists Brent Johnson, a nonpartisan candidate from Clam Gulch, as certified.

That sets up a rematch across the southern Kenai Peninsula.

In 2024, official election results show Vance received 5,360 votes. Johnson received 4,956. A second Republican, Dawson Slaughter, received 1,074.

This time, the Division of Elections list shows Vance and Johnson, but not Slaughter.

The 2024 vote split means the incumbent Republican won, but the nonpartisan challenger finished 404 votes behind her while more than a thousand votes went to another Republican. The 2026 rematch removes the third candidate from the ballot.

The district runs along the coast from Kasilof through Homer to Seldovia. Fish, schools, roads, ferries, local taxes, tourism and the dividend all land close to home.

Vance grew up in Homer and is raising four children there. Her campaign emphasizes the Permanent Fund dividend, senior benefits, election law, fisheries, education, crime and local projects. She has served in the House since 2019 with assignments including House Fisheries, House Judiciary, House Rules and House State Affairs.

Johnson was born in Seldovia and has lived in the district his entire life. He worked as a commercial setnetter for more than 50 years and served on the borough assembly, including as president. He also served on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission, Board of Equalization, Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association and Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association.

The rematch pits the Republican incumbent against a nonpartisan challenger with deep local ties.

Last time, the answer was Vance.

This time, the race is a two-candidate rematch.