Groh and Sager battle for low-turnout Anchorage House District 18

Anchorage residents in House District 18 face a familiar challenge when trying to engage with local politics. The district contains the majority of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where more than half of registered voters are military personnel. Federal rules prevent campaigning on the base, forcing candidates to rely on phone calls, text messages, and online outreach to reach these residents. This setup has historically resulted in the lowest voter participation in the state.

The current race pits Democrat Cliff Groh against Republican Dan Sager. Groh, 72, previously held the seat from 2023 to 2024. He lost the 2024 election to incumbent Republican David Nelson by 23 votes. Sager, 39, is running for the position for the first time. He entered the race after Nelson announced he would not seek reelection, citing a lack of other willing Republican candidates.

Both candidates acknowledge the difficulty of reaching voters in a district with high turnover. Groh noted that many people listed as JBER residents are stationed in other states or countries. He has called voters in Hawaii, California, Rhode Island, Texas, and even Turkey and South Korea. Sager pointed out that voter lists become obsolete quickly. He said he was recently told to stop contacting 700 numbers on his list because those residents had already moved.

Voter turnout data underscores the district's disengagement. In the August 18 open primary, Groh received more than 67% of the votes. However, the total turnout in District 18 was only 9.2%. The statewide turnout for that primary was approximately 27%. In the 2022 general election, district turnout was 18.7%, compared to the statewide rate of 44%.

Beyond the base, the district includes industrial areas along Ship Creek and parts of the Muldoon neighborhood. Groh described the area as having low household incomes and underfunded schools. He said many working families feel they do not have time to follow politics. Both candidates agreed that local infrastructure is a top concern. They frequently hear complaints about sidewalks and traffic, particularly on Duben Avenue. Groh has labeled the road "Dangerous Duben" due to the lack of pedestrian pathways.

The candidates also compete for votes in Government Hill, a stable neighborhood where both live. Sager said he was drawn to the area by its parks and trails. The federal election season has dominated local attention, with the U.S. Senate race between Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola drawing national focus. Sager said the federal race has taken a lot of the oxygen out of the room, making it harder for state candidates to get noticed.

The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Groh hopes to join a potential Democratic legislative majority. Sager worries that a lack of Republican control in the state legislature could lead to new income taxes and unfriendly policies for the energy industry.