- ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A political newcomer has taken a 28-vote lead in the race for a state House seat from southeast Alaska. Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka leads incumbent Republican Bill Thomas of Haines by 28 votes. The District 34 race had been tied. The Division of Elections on Monday morning reported the new totals after counting 86 absentee ballots. The new totals show Kreiss-Tomkins  with 4,110 votes and Thomas with 4,082 votes. Still out are a potential 26 special absentee ballots and any other eligible ballots postmarked from overseas that may arrive before a deadline Wednesday.