Voters retain Fabe, dismiss Postma

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaskans appeared willing to retain state Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe Tuesday night despite disagreements with her policies by conservatives, but were voting against the retention of an embattled District Court judge.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, 98,444 voters and 53.33 percent of the vote were in favor of retaining Fabe. The group Alaska Family Action had mounted a last-minute campaign to unseat her, citing her judicial record as opposed to a majority of Alaskans.

Meanwhile, Third Judicial District Court Judge Richard Postma’s retention vote was failing, with 60,528 votes and 54.74 percent of the vote against him. The Alaska Judicial Council, a group which makes recommendations on retention votes, asked voters not to retain Postma after hearings into his abrasive treatment of fellow court officers.

The judicial council recommended the retention of Fabe and all other judges on the ballot this year, who appear on track for retention.