FAIRBANKS — Former Fairbanks Mayor Steve Thompson is the likely winner of the GOP nomination for House District 10 in east Fairbanks, defeating rivals Vivian Stiver and Urban Rahoi.

The 65-year-old former auto parts retailer is poised to go on to challenge Democrat John Brown, a retired union representative, in the November general election after snagging 54 percent of the vote in the District 10 Republican primary.

Stiver, a Fairbanks City Councilwoman, conceded the race after the final precinct reported its results late Tuesday.

Thompson has a comfortable 202-vote lead with an unknown number of absentee and early votes that remain uncounted. He drew 677 votes and was cautious about declaring a victory.

“I feel pretty confident that it’s not going to change as far as percentages, but you can’t take it for granted,” Thompson said.

Stiver, a 52-year-old innkeeper and Thompson’s No. 1 opponent with 475 votes, campaigned as the more conservative choice. She had support from Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, and Donna Gilbert, president of the Interior Taxpayers’ Association.

The Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association also supported Stiver, a one-time candidate for Fairbanks mayor.

“We ran a good race, and being out with people was great for me,” Stiver said. “I had a delightful time with the people in the district. It gave me a real understanding of their concerns. I am still on City Council for two years.”

Rahoi, a 92-year-old landlord and hunting guide, did not campaign, raise money or participate in forums. He drew 99 votes.

Thompson dominated the race as far as fundraising, raising more than $20,000 and attracting support from Jay Ramras, the incumbent who gave up the seat to run for lieutenant governor, former Alaska First Lady Nancy Murkowski and former legislators Andy Warwick, Glenn Hackney and Gary Wilken.

Tour bus driver Sharon Cartner voted for Thompson, citing his experience.

Thompson is a U.S. Army veteran who spent who spent 30 years in the auto parts business before serving two terms as Fairbanks mayor. He was unopposed in his 2004 re-election campaign. He followed his time as mayor with a short stint on the City Council.

Secretary Melissa Spicer also was drawn to Thompson’s experience.

“I felt more comfortable with his experience,” she said.

Both voted at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.

Supporters of Stiver, who raised about $7,500 in her bid for the GOP nomination, mentioned her personality.

Kenny Maywood, refinery worker, said he was drawn to Stiver partly owing to her strong will.

“She goes after what she wants,” he said.

Chuck Mailander, a 911 dispatcher, went to college with Stiver.

“We don’t agree eye-to-eye on everything,” he said. “I have talked to her over the years. She’s personable. She’s pleasant.”

Both voted at the Tanana Middle School.

Brown, the Democrat, could not be reached for comment.

In 2008, Brown lost to Ramras, a well-known Fairbanks businessman, by

195 votes.

Brown is married to Fairbanks North Star Borough Assemblywoman Kelly Brown, who is running in the October municipal election for a second assembly term. Her brother is former Borough Mayor Jim Sampson.

District 12

The three-way race for the Republican nomination in House District 12 is too close to call with a 12-vote spread between candidates Eric Feige, Pete Fellman and Don Haase.

“It’s going to boil down to who voted early and the absentee ballots,” said Fellman, a 53-year-old farmer and legislative aide from Delta Junction.

Feige, a 49-year-old Bush pilot from Chickaloon, has the lead after Tuesday’s primary election with 666 votes. Fellman grabbed 656 votes, while Haase, 40, an instrument and electrical designer from Valdez, took 654 votes.

The winner will face Valdez Mayor Bert Cottle, a Democrat, in the November general election.

All precincts had reported their totals Tuesday evening. Candidates estimated there were still between 300 and 700 early and absentee ballots uncounted, though. So all three contenders are still in play.

“It makes it more exciting, doesn’t it?” Haase said.

House District 12 stretches down the Richardson Highway from Eielson Air Force Base to Valdez and includes a large chunk of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to the west.

Feige said he thinks most of the uncounted ballots are from Eielson.

Both Feige and Fellman are U.S. Army veterans. Haase has an endorsement from Alaska Right to Life.

Rep. John Harris, the Republican incumbent, decided not to seek re-election in District 12 because he is making a new home outside the district in Anchorage.