According to the Associated Press, Democrat Hal Gazaway has withdrawn from the race to the Alaska House of Representatives after winning the primary for District 13 on Tuesday.
Divisions of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai told the AP Gazaway withdrew Wednesday. In an email Fenumiai wrote that the "state laws allow the Democratic Party to replace a candidate who withdraws after being nominated." She added that the party has replaced Hal Gazaway with Kay Rollison, who will now replace him on the ballot.
David Bremer, Democratic Party spokesperson, has declined to discuss Gazaway's reasons for withdrawing. Bremer also declined to speak about Rollison's appointment before a news conference scheduled for Thursday.
The announcement has been the source of some surprise given Gazaway's long service to the community. He ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary.