The unofficial results of a tight House primary race are in. Dean Westlake of Kotzebue appears to have won the Democratic nomination for House District 40 from incumbent Rep. Benjamin Nageak of Barrow.
Previously Westlake had a lead of only three votes. Absentee and questioned ballots tallied Friday widened Westlake’s lead to 21 votes.
Division of Elections officials have said it will likely take another week to certify the results. But, Westlake’s win might not be definite. Because the race was so close, the state would probably grant a request for a recount.
Nageak or 10 qualified voters would have to file for a recount no later than five days after the state’s final review of District 40’s ballots.
Quinton Chandler is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
