First batch of election results has Dunleavy jumping to lead in GOP primary

9:50 p.m. UPDATE:

With another batch of ballots counted, former Sen. Mike Dunleavy is holding on to his massive 61-32 lead on former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell in the Republican primary for governor. That's with 32 percent of precincts reporting.

Dunleavy drank a Diet Coke while watching the numbers roll in at the Aviator Hotel Anchorage. "So far so good," he said.

"We're going to wait for all the results to come in but so far we're feeling pretty good about the outcome."

The winner faces incumbent Gov. Bill Walker — who just led a crowd of hollering sign-wavers across Election Central — and Democratic former Sen. Mark Begich.

Alyse Galvin, running as an independent in the Democratic U.S. House primary, led with about 54 percent of the vote in early results. Democrat Dimitri Shein trailed, with 24 percent.

The nominee will challenge U.S. Rep. Don Young in November. He's held the office for 45 years.

In one of the most contested primaries for the Alaska Legislature, Rep. Lora Reinbold jumped to a big lead Tuesday night over fellow Rep. Dan Saddler in a competitive Republican race for an open Senate seat in Chugiak-Eagle River.

With about one-quarter of precincts reporting, Reinbold had nearly 58 percent of the vote to Saddler's 42 percent.

Charisse Millett was in danger of losing her seat in the Republican primary. With close to one-third of precincts reporting, newcomer Josh Revak had 55 percent of the vote to Millett's 45 percent.

9:30 p.m. UPDATE:

The first results of the night are in. Former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican candidate for governor, was well ahead of his main opponent, former lieutenant governor Mead Treadwell.

Dunleavy had about 61 percent of the vote by about 9:30 p.m., compared to 32 percent for Treadwell. That's with only 16 percent of precincts across the state reporting. Watch for more updates soon.

The GOP nominee will face Democrat Mark Begich and incumbent Gov. Bill Walker in a three-person battle in November.

[Find election results here]

Watch the Election Central livestream here.

9 p.m. UPDATE:

Check out a few scenes from the campaign trail, below, as candidates make their way to watch parties. Meanwhile the crowd is growing restless at Election Central, hitting refresh and waiting for those numbers …

8:15 p.m. UPDATE: 

In downtown Anchorage? Come say hello! The Daily News and Alaska Landmine are co-hosting an Election Central watch party on the second floor of the Dena'ina Convention Center.

[Find election results here]

Watch a livestream here, or come listen to a house DJ while we wait for the first batch of ballot results.

Polls close on a soggy primary election day

Facing economic uncertainty and high crime, Alaskans were busy Tuesday deciding who to put in charge of the hard decisions ahead.

Voters across the state went to the polls to cast ballots in the primary election for U.S. House, governor and a slew of legislative races. Watch for the first results to show up here on adn.com after polls close at 8 p.m. (Ballot counts typically begin appearing between 9 and 9:30 p.m.)

We haven't heard reports of any major disruptions throughout the day, though some found themselves voting by flashlight after a temporary power outage in South Anchorage.

The Anchorage Daily News is co-hosting an Election Central at the Dena'ina Center in soggy downtown Anchorage with reporters checking in with the would-be governors and state lawmakers throughout the night.

The race sets the stage for the general election in November, including a potential three-person battle for governor among the Republican nominee — Mike Dunleavy or Mead Treadwell — Democrat Mark Begich and incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, an independent.

Catch up on our election coverage:

In Tuesday primaries, Alaskans choose candidates for governor, US House, Legislature

Leading GOP candidates for Alaska governor agree on much in debate ahead of Tuesday primary

Races to watch in Anchorage-area primary elections

Alaska elections director says state is ready for primary

Voter log changes could delay Alaska primary election results

With new fundraising reports filed, here's how the candidates for Alaska governor stack up

In debate, Democratic primary candidates stake out plans for taking on Don Young

In high-stakes GOP primary, Dunleavy and Treadwell battle for spot in three-way governor's race