Thirty-day election campaign reports show large contributions from political action committees and Outside conservative donors to nonpartisan and Republican Party candidates in local House and Senate races. The reports cover contributions and expenditures reported to the Alaska Public Offices Commission from Aug. 9 to Oct. 2.
One candidate, Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, caught the attention of three Lower 48 conservative donors who gave $1,000 each, including Arthur Dantchick of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, estimated by Forbes to be worth $19.1 billion. Dantchick also is on the board of Byte Dance, the Chinese corporate owner of TikTok.
Her opponent, nonpartisan candidate Brent Johnson, received the most single contributions, with 80 total, including 59 contributions of less than $499, 15 for between $500 and $999, and six for more than $999, mostly from union political action committees — $5,500 in total from union PACs.
In contrast, most PAC money for Vance came from the Republican Party, either local district chapters or the state party, $3,800 in total. She got $1,000 from the Alaska Miners Association and $500 from the Marathon Alaska PAC. Both Johnson and Vance had political mailers sent on their behalf, The Alaska Center for Johnson and Families of the Last Frontier for Vance.
Johnson has raised $71,706.64 total and spent $43,950.07, leaving him with $27,756.57. He raised $26,421.46 since Aug. 9.
Vance, running for re-election to House District 6, received 50 donations with 29 less than $499 and four between $500 and $999. Seventeen individuals or groups gave $1,000 or more, topping the list of most-generous donors. One contributor, Diane Perkins, gave $5,000, the largest individual donor for any candidate. Vance also received $1,000 donations from conservative donors J.M. Lapeyre Jr. of New Orleans and Virginia James of Lambertville, New Jersey.
She has raised $77,364.80 and spent $50,508.48, mostly on radio ads, leaving her with $26,856.32 for the last month of the election.
Of the candidates, Louise Stutes, running for Alaska Senate District C, leads in campaign income and contributions with $117,747.79 received for the 2026 primary and general elections. In her latest report, she received $13,935.50 in contributions, with 21 donors giving less than $499, nine giving $500 to $999, and six giving $1,000 or more. She’s spent $68,704.81 total, leaving her with a war chest of $49,042.98.
Stutes’ major opponent, Republican Heath Smith, raised more since Aug. 9 than Stutes, $19,646.79, but with a smaller total income amount of $40,333.37. Of that, he’s spent $31,953.74 total, leaving him $8,379.63. Smith had 29 contributions: 17 less than $499, five between $500 and $999, and seven more than $1,000.
Although Stutes is a Republican Party member, she received no party contributions. Smith received $13,000 from the state party or local groups. Stutes is a member of the House Majority Coalition and — based on placement of her signs with other candidates — is supported by those backing Democrats and independents.
For all candidates, most donors list themselves as retired. Stutes received many donations from commercial fishermen or people working in the industry. The New Orleans donor to Vance, J.M. Lapeyre Jr., is the CEO of Laitram Company, a manufacturer of shrimp peeling and other machines. Lapeyre is chair of the Cato Institute, a conservative and Libertarian think tank.
Johnson had donations from former politicians, including Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre and former Rep. Paul Seaton. Smith got donations from John Hendrix of HEX, a Cook Inlet oil and gas company.
Most of Vance’s expenses have been for radio ads with $22,000 to Peninsula Radio Group in Homer and $12,000 to KSRM in Kenai. Johnson’s major expenses have been for office staff, campaign signs and political mailers.
Stutes has spent about $22,000 to Ship Creek Consulting, Anchorage, for booking radio ads, mailers and consulting services. Smith’s major expenses have been for radio ads: $7,500 to Peninsula Radio Group and $2,000 to KSRM. He spent $265 at WalMart for Heath candy bars.
Republican Party Candidate Carrie Harris, running for Senate District C, did not report any income or expenditures in her 30-day report. She’s raised $109 total and spent $239 as reported in her previous APOC filings.
By the numbers
Campaign contributions and expenses are listed below for donations of $499 or more for the period of Aug. 9-Oct. 2. Unless noted, contributors did not list employers or are retired. Contributions are listed in order received. Some contributors made multiple contributions that are listed as totals. Campaign totals are for both the primary and general election periods.
House District 6 candidates
Sarah Vance, R-Homer
Campaign income total: $77,364.80
Campaign expense total: $50,508.48
Contributions of $500 or more:
Bob Fell $1,001.65 (non-monetary, food and supplies)
Michael Rocereta $1,000
Kathy Toms $1,500
James Udelhoven, Kasilof $2,000
Betty Gugel $1,000
Barbara Nilsen, Soldotna $1,000
J.M. Lapeyre, New Orleans $1,000
Diane Perkins, Anchor Point $5,000
Arthur Dantchick, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania $1,000
Virginia James, Lambertville, New Jersey $1,000
Charlie Franz $2,000
Laura Heckert $500
Republican Women of the Kenai $1,000
AMAPAC (Alaska Miners of Alaska PAC) Anchorage $1,000
Alaska Republicans $1,000
District 6 Republicans $1,800
Marathon Alaska PAC $500
Major expenditures:
Peninsula Radio Group $22,074.86
KSRM $12,215.76
Brent Johnson, nonpartisan, Clam Gulch
Campaign income total: $71,706.64
Campaign expenses total: $43,950.07
Contributions of $500 or more:
David Northrup, contractor, Techno Metal Post Anchorage $1,500
Lara McGinnis, Realtor, Kenai $500
Mike Navarre, Kenai $1,000
Adam Labi, Brooklyn, New York $500
Jeffrey Coonjohn, Douglas $500
Doug Robbins, Hickory Corners, Michigan $800
Tom Seggerman, Sterling $500
William and Karen Wuestenfeld* $500
Judy Johnson $500
Ole Anderson and Jinky Handy $500
Peter Michalski $500
Paul and Tina Seaton $500
Robin Smith $500
Marcia Kuszmaul** $500
Public Employees Local 71 $1,000
AFL-CIO $1,000
Tongass Democrats,
Juneau $1,000
Alaska Hospital & Healthcare
Association PAC $500
Alaska Realtors Political Action $1,000
IBEW PAC $1,000
* Board members of NZP4H Inc., the nonprofit corporate owner of Homer Independent press.
** Volunteer freelance contributor to HIP.
Major expenditures:
Office staff $3,000
Campaign signs $975
Political mailers and postage $5,347.59
Newspaper ads, Homer News and Peninsula Clarion $1,807.78
Meta ad purchase $1,095
Senate District C candidates
Carrie Harris, R-Anchor Point
Total campaign income: $109
Total campaign expenses $239
No income or expenses reported on 30-day report
Heath Smith, R-Homer
Total campaign income $40,333.37
Total campaign expenses $31,953.74
Contributions of $500 or more:
Bob Fell, Maritime Helicopters $750
John Hendrix, HEX, Anchorage $1,000
Charlie Franz $502 (non-monetary, airline miles)
Mary Lamb $1,004 (non-monetary, airline miles)
Kathy Toms $1,000
Republican Women of the Kenai $1,000
Alaska Republicans $7,500
Alaska Republicans District 8, Anchorage $1,000
Alaska Republicans, District 6 $3,500
Major expenditures:
Peninsula Radio Group $7,470.30
KSRM Radio $2,025
WalMart, Heath bars $265.12
Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak
Campaign income total $117,747,79
Campaign expenses total $68,704.81
Contributions of $500 or more:
Robert Beedle, Cordova Fisherman $500
Pauline Bullert, Vancouver, Washington $500
Moira Smith, GCI, Anchorage $500
Robin Smith, Anchorage $500
Daniel Occhipiniti, Pacific Seafood Group, Clackamas, Oregon $500
Jim Colver, Colver Surveying, Anchorage $1,000
Linda Kozak, Pacific Seafood, Kodiak $500
Howard Peterson, fisherman, Kodiak $1,100
Louise Stutes $1,000
AFL-CIO gaming account $1,000
Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association PAC, Juneau $500
Alaska Realtors Political Action Anchorage $1,000
IUOE Local 302, Anchorage $1,000
Major expenditures:
Matt Gruening, campaign consulting $1,650
Lurtsema Communications, election voter data list and digital service $4,730.43
Ship Creek Group, radio ads, mailer design, printing, postage $21,573.98
Skyline Signs $725
Kodiak Island Broadcasting $423.72
The Mobilization Center, Anchorage, field support in Homer $5,000
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