WASILLA - In Mat-Su, legislative incumbents held their seats despite a concerted effort by some Democrats to oust them.

In one of the most talked-about races in the Valley, Republican Carl Gatto had an early lead over challenger David Cheezem, a Democrat.

Cheezem, a Palmer bookstore owner, had raised more money for his campaign than Gatto in the race for the House District 13 seat, representing the Palmer area. But Cheezem received fewer than half the number of votes Gatto received.

Republican Linda Menard won by a 4-1 margin over Democratic Party challenger Erick Cordero in a race for state Senate seat G, representing the Wasilla area. Menard, a longtime Mat-Su school board member, is the wife of borough mayor and former state legislator Curt Menard. Cordero solicits attorneys to work on cases for Alaska Legal Services Corp. The pair vied for a seat held for 14 years by current Senate President Lyda Green, who decided not to run again.

House Speaker John Harris carried House District 12, representing the eastern communities of the Mat-Su as well as Valdez. His challenger, Democrat Nancy Lethcoe, a former Olympian and current publishing company owner, had visited communities throughout the district seeking to oust Harris but ended the night with fewer than half votes Harris received.

Republican incumbent Wes Keller won his bid to continue representing Wasilla in House District 13. Keller led challenger Rose Smith, a Democrat, by a 3-1 margin when all precincts had been counted. Keller, a former legislative aide, was appointed to the seat last year when Rep. Vic Kohring resigned in the midst of a bribery scandal that led to his conviction.

Republican incumbent Mark Neuman kept his House District 15 seat, representing Mat-Su from Wasilla north. Neuman received more than double the number of votes received by Democratic Party challenger Lew Dischner. Dischner is a health care worker and youth hockey coach.

Republican incumbent Bill Stoltze also out-polled opponent Beverly Serrano, a Democrat, for House District 16. His district covers Chugiak and parts of Mat-Su, including Butte and Lazy Mountain. Serrano is a stay-at-home mom and board member of water company Alaska Glacier Refreshments.