REPUBLICAN WINS RACE TO BECOME GOVERNOR OF ALASKA

Republican Mike Dunleavy, pictured, has won the Alaska governor’s race, defeating Democrat Mark Begich. Dunleavy declared victory early Wednesday, and said he was humbled by the trust voters had placed in him. Begich later conceded. The race was upended last month when Gov. Bill Walker ended his campaign days after his deputy resigned over what Walker described as an inappropriate overture to a woman. Walker, an independent, said he concluded he could not win against Begich and Dunleavy and said he thought Begich would be better for Alaska. Dunleavy cast himself as tough on crime and supported a full payout of the cheque Alaskans receive from the state’s oil-wealth fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund. The payout has been limited since 2016 amid a state budget deficit.