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FAIRBANKS — The Interior general election races for the state Legislature are picking up steam now that the primaries are over and the list of candidates has been solidified.

As candidates prepare for a senate race and seven house races, both Republicans and Democrats in the Interior agree the hot topic for this year’s election is energy.

“Energy and everything related to energy, whether it’s heating homes, driving cars or affording food,” said Kathy Mayo, treasurer for the Alaska Interior Democrats. “I think it’s causing people to pay attention and I believe there will be a much higher voter turnout this year.”

State Senate Race E

Two prominent local residents will go head-to-head in this year’s election for Alaska State Senate seat E, the only senate race in the Interior.

Democratic candidate Joe Paskvan was born and raised in the district, and has worked as a local attorney for the past 27 years.

Republican nominee Cynthia Henry is the owner of HOPS Hallmark and has been on the University of Alaska Board of Regents since 2003. Henry also has served on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board.

The candidates are each looking to replace retiring Sen. Gary Wilken in the state legislature.

“It’s going to be an interesting race,” said Bonnie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Interior Republicans. “Both are very well-known candidates and longtime residents in the community and that definitely is a factor.”

The Republicans hold a two-seat edge over the Democrats in the senate, although a bipartisan group of lawmakers works together as a majority coalition. The situation makes the race an important one.

“I expect the Republican Party will organize as a Republican majority,” Williams said. “Last time, there was an 11-9 majority, but it was split within the Republicans themselves.”

Possible control of the senate could be at stake, pending the outcome of the general election.

“Two years ago, Fairbanks really showed that there was a major change upon us,” Mayo said. “When we elected Sen. Joe Thomas and Rep. Scott Kawasaki, all eyes were on Fairbanks. I think statewide there is a lot of anticipation that the Democrats could take the Senate.”

State House races

The State House races also are gearing up. Republicans hold a 23-17 majority over Democrats in the House, but opinions differ among party leaders about whether that will change.

“There’s a lot of energy mobilizing among voters in the greater Fairbanks area,” Mayo said.

The race has several newcomers on the ballot this year, along with a few longtime legislators.

“Depending on how many incumbents return, there could be a few open seats,” Williams said. “In general, we’re not likely to change the makeup very much. The number of Democrats and the number of Republicans are likely to be pretty similar to what it is now.”

District 6

Incumbent Woodie Salmon (D) has served in the House of Representatives for two consecutive terms in the district that includes a horseshoe-type area that wraps northward around the Fairbanks North Star, Denali and Matanuska-Susitna boroughs. Prior to his legislative position, he served as mayor and councilman of Fort Yukon. He also was a professional pilot and air service operator for 20 years.

Ward H. Sattler (R) ran against Salmon in 2004 and 2006. Sattler is a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors and member of the National Rifle Association.

District 7

Karl Kassel (D) is a retired Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation director. He also served as the FNSB parks superintendent and was the executive director of the Arctic Winter Games. Kassel is the former owner of K2 Custom Construction.

Incumbent Mike Kelly (R) is the former Golden Valley Electric Association CEO and a former pilot for Tanana Air Service. Kelly also has served on the Monroe Catholic School Board. Kelly has been in office since 2004. District 7 includes an area that stretches from Chena Hot Springs Road, along the Steese and Elliott Highway and out to the Chatanika River.

District 8

David Guttenberg (D) has served in the Alaska State Legislature since 2003. Guttenberg also has served as chairman and vice chairman of the Alaska Democratic Party and worked under former Borough mayor Jim Simpson. District 8 includes the area from Cantwell to Anderson in the Denali Borough through Nenana and parts of the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Will Finley (R) previously worked for Fidelity Investments and was a stockbroker for Charles Schwab. He also taught at the University of Ukraine before returning to Alaska to teach business at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as an adjunct professor.

District 9

Scott Kawasaki (D) was elected to the House in 2006. He has worked as a senior patient representative for Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Kawasaki is also a former Fairbanks City Councilman. He represents District 9, which incorporates downtown Fairbanks.

Sue Hull (R) is a local business owner and has served on local, state and national education boards, including the National PTA Executive Board. Hull also has served on the Alaska Meth Education Advisory Board.

District 10

John Brown (D) is a 33-year member of the Operating Engineers Local 302 starting in 1975. Brown is the current chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of the Tanana Valley Advisory Board and is also the past president of the Fairbanks Central Labor Council.

Jay Ramras (R), owner of local restaurants including Pike’s Landing and Pike’s Lodge hotel has been a Representative since 2004. Ramras has served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and been a member of several finance committees throughout his term. District 10 includes Fort Wainwright to Gaffney Road and out toward Birch Hill.

District 11

Corey Allen (D) has worked as a warehouse manager and grocery manager in North Pole and Fairbanks for the last 29 years. Allen is the Alaska Democratic party chairman for District 11. He also has been Executive Board Vice President and shop steward for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1496 since 1992.

John Coghill, Jr. (R) has served in the House of Representatives since 1998 in his heavily Republican district, which covers most of North Pole. Coghill was the House Majority Leader from 2003 to 2006. He is a third-generation Alaskan.

District 12

Nancy Lethcoe (D), a former Stanford University professor, was a member of NOAA’s Shoreline Cleanup Committee during the Exxon Valdez spill. The Valdez resident was also the founding member and first president of the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association and the owner of Alaska Wilderness Sailing & Kayaking and Prince William Sound Books. Lethcoe is also a former world record holder and silver medalist from the 1956 Olympic Team.

John Harris (R) is the Speaker of the House and has served on the Legislative Council Committee, Fisheries Committee since 2005. Harris on financial subcommittees for the Governor, Court System and Legislature as well as the University of Alaska. He lives in Valdez and represents residents living along the Richardson Highway stretching from the Fairbanks North Star Borough, through the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to Valdez.