who is running for anchorage assembly 2022
He is a private pilot and works as chief operating officer of Kakivik Asset Management and CCI Industrial, according to his website. East Anchorage has two seats on the ballot, one filled for nearly two terms by former Assemblyman Forrest Dunbar, was elected to the Legislature and vacated the seat in January. I have engaged with constituents beyond my expectations. , his only political donation on record is to Stephanie Taylor, a conservative backed by Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and the Mountain City Church (formerly known as the Anchorage Baptist Temple), who ran against now-State Sen. Forrest Dunbar for his Eastside Assembly seat. In January 2023, with the question of Feinstein's re-election decision still up in the air, Democratic U.S. Representative Katie Porter announced she would run for Senate. The Anchorage Assembly has lost its way and forgotten who they are there to serve; their constituents and not each other. She previously ran for a District 2 seat and lost in 2017. Taylor recently ran against Forest Dunbar for the East Anchorage assembly seat, but is now eligible for the North Anchorage seat due to a change in the voting district lines from the reapportionment process. Campaign website: www.facebook.com/CliffMurray4ASDSeatA. Running against him is Rachel Ries, who lost a bid for school board last year, but has earned the endorsement of prominent conservative politicians and Republicans, including Bronson, Eagle River. He has taken in $43,365, the most of any candidate in this years field thus far, a good share of it in the form of hefty four-figure contributions from business owners and real estate figures. Dustin Darden is a perennial candidate who has unsuccessfully run for U.S. Senate, the Legislature, Anchorage mayor and the Assembly numerous times. Even though assembly members are non-partisan and are not affiliated with any one political party, there has been a call for more conservative-leaning voices on the assembly from audience members at assembly meetings. Sulte is a first-time candidate for Anchorage Assembly. Anchorage has vote-by-mail elections, and registered voters should expect ballots to arrive roughly three weeks before the election. Moores only outside donation is $5,000 from Crystal Hoffman, wife of Ron Hoffman, the head pastor of Mountain City Church. The last day for candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot will be Tuesday, Feb. 1. Assembly members Kameron Perez-Verdia, who represents West Anchorage, Meg Zaletel, who represents Midtown, Forrest Dunbar, who represents East Anchorage, and John Weddleton, who represents South Anchorage, are all seeking reelection. Darden is registered with the pro-secessionist, Midtown lost parts of Dimond, Airport Heights, and Fireweed. He serves as the Alaska representative for the REALTOR Political Action Committee (RPAC). There is also a resolution and ordinance calling for the Bronson administration to seek Assembly approval before settling any claims over the amount of $50,000 for the unlawful Hickel Contract. Peltola and Jackson share almost identical voting records. The special election is not an at-large election, and only applies to voters who live in North Anchorage. Baldwin is a first-time candidate for school board. The last day for in-person voting and mailing back ballots is April 4. Williams ran for an Anchorage School Board seat last year and lost. She serves as President of the Turnagain Community Council President and is Chair of Anchorages Budget Advisory Commission. Anchorage is facing critical issues that will affect how we live for years to come: developing a transparent, accountable, and sustainable budget that is accountable and sustainable; diversification of the economy: encouraging economic development; maintaining and improving our state infrastructure: better education achieved by ensuring sufficient resources are actually provided in the classroom, Vasquez wrote on her campaign website. Sulte is a self-described conservative candidate who was raised in Florida and moved to Anchorage in 2004. (The Alaska Current) Felix Rivera is running for his third and final term. Assembly, East Anchorage (two-year term): Forrest Dunbar, was reelected to the Assembly last year, and was about seven months into his term when he won election to the Alaska Senate. First step to more common-sense land use regulations Eliminating parking requirements from the zoning code was described by Volland as the "first chip in the ice" to making Anchorage's land use code work better for housing development. Holleman faces Mark Anthony Cox, a small business owner who unsuccessfully ran for school board in 2021 and 2022. PROJECT PURPOSES AND DEPARTMENTS IN 2022. This is my community and I plan to continue my service as an advocate for all of us. There are also several bond measures, including one that would place a $22 million bond for school facility improvements on Aprils ballot. Two school board seats are up for election, with two incumbents running: School Board President Margo Bellamy and member Kelly Lessens. Assembly candidates will be chosen by voters in their district. He owns Boscos, a game and comic book store in Spenard. Homelessness is a multifaceted issue, and all strategies should be considered to address this diverse population. Zaletel ran for re-election to the Anchorage Assembly to represent District 4 Seat F in Alaska. Alaska Public Media 2022. He has been endorsed by Assemblyman Pete Petersen and several labor unions. He has also served on public safety commissions and the Girdwood Board of Supervisors. All of these incumbents are running for reelection, except for Crystal Kennedy, who will not run again. North Anchorage gained parts of Russian Jack, Wonder Park, Ptarmigan, Fireweed, and Spenard (see article). I want to be both a new voice for East Anchorage and an attentive ear for all of Anchorage.. His rival, Jim Arlington, has reported no campaign income to APOC. Would you push for changes? He serves as the Alaska representative for the REALTOR Political Action Committee (RPAC). While the results of some races are pretty well settled, others will need to be ranked before we know who will go to Juneau. In 2018, he ran as a Democrat for State House in Sand Lake and received 12% of the vote. State changed its bridge replacement plans to accommodate Kinross mine plan, Meet the 2023 Candidates for Anchorage Assembly, Bronson Administration Looks to Settle with Hickel Contracting for $2.5 million, Senate passes legislation rejecting pay raises for governor and cabinet, Alaskas retirement system falls short for most. Cross was born in Anchorage and describes himself as a conservative on his website. This story has been updated to reflect Roger Branson, Cody Anderson and Darin Colbry withdrawing their names from the election. His challenger, Travis Szanto, a carpenter, reported giving his campaign $100. Shes a long-time community advocate in West Anchorage, where she has resided since 2012. There are two candidates for Petersens seat: George Martinez, president of the Northeast Community Council who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2021, and Spencer Moore, an outreach director with Mountain City Church, formerly the Anchorage Baptist Temple. Myers and Arlington had both filed to fill Allards seat temporarily until April, though the Assembly ultimately chose Robin Dern. With my Conservative Navigation, I plan to bring much needed balance and direction to this Assembly.. Anchorage residents who want to vote in the April 5 election must be registered by March 6 unless they are already registered to vote. He has served on the Abbott Loop Community Council board and land use committee, the Hillside Home and Landowners Organization and is currently a part of the Spenard Chamber of Commerce. As stewards of Anchorage, those elected are accountable for the health and well being of our city and their actions are of tremendous importance. Dep That could have major implications for the citys legislative branch, which now has had a majority decisive enough to regularly override vetoes by Mayor Dave Bronson on contentious issues and push investigations into the administration. 6 candidates running for Anchorages 12th assembly seat, The Anchorage Special Municipal Election is a little more than a month away. Loring said he is retired and that he has a strong interest in education and is currently doing research to write a book about the Anchorage School District. (Photo: Belloni Photography, provided by candidate) The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for. Zaletel is another incumbent candidate running for reelection. Karen Bronga has lived in East Anchorage since childhood and works as a teacher for the Anchorage School District. It gained parts of Spenard and Arctic (see, Felix Rivera is running for his third and final term. Each Day within the school term is a day in session except Saturdays, Sundays, and days designated as . He was also a 2014 Democratic candidate for the U.S. House. Zaletel was elected to Seat F in 2019 and is seeking a second term. He has been ejected from the chambers for disruptive behavior and was recently arrested during an Assembly meeting. Campaign website: kelly4anchoragekids.com. Allard served a single term on the Assembly. The math for veto override doesnt change because the charter states its two-thirds. Chris Constant announced Thursday that he's running for U.S. Congress. How would you address it? Flynn and Algers own a coffee shop together, and Flynn. Therefore, Taylor now lives in the newly created district. Is the Anchorage School District currently doing a good job of retaining quality teachers? She recently defeated an effort to recall her in a special election. Sloan has supported several Bronson-backed candidates including Stephanie Taylor. That same year, she ran and lost for State House against now-State Sen. James Kaufman. Cox ran for Seat B on the Anchorage School Board last year and lost. Vazquez was a Republican Alaska State House representative for District 22 from 2015 to 2016. His recent donations include Dave Bronson for Mayor, Stephanie Taylor for Assembly, Kathy Henslee for both State House and Assembly, and Tuckerman Babcock for State Senate. February 17, 2022. All rights reserved. He is the CEO of Family Charity of Alaska. When Allard left her Eagle River-Chugiak Assembly seat to go to Juneau, Arlington was one of 10 who applied to fill the remainder of her term (Robin Dern was selected). He kicked off his campaign at 49th State Brewing in downtown Anchorage. Alaska Public Media 2022. The Alaska Current is a collective of journalists, creatives and content creators. Dunbar, the current Assembly member for Seat H, is seeking a third term. Assembly members spent the morning hearing from the five candidates who applied to take over Dunbar's seat. 2022 Anchorage Daily News. His constant runs for office have made him a spoiler candidate. Colbry said that he can bring knowledge to the assembly about the issue surrounding people experiencing homelessness from an inside perspective. Colbry also ran for governor of Alaska in 2018 and lost in the Republican primary with 416 votes. A majority of the Anchorage Assemblys 12 seats are up for election, with seven members set to be determined on the April ballot. Its a marked departure from last year, when a slate of conservative candidates promising to work closely with Bronson vigorously campaigned to pull the body to the right. I am Conservative Candidate running for Anchorage Assembly to bring balance back to a deeply polarized assembly, he wrote on his campaign website. Zachariah Hughes covers the military, dog mushing, politics, subsistence issues and general assignments for the Anchorage Daily News. 12 . 10 11 . Right now there are, Man charged in 1994 sexual abuse cold case. Hall is a first-time candidate for elected office. Trueblood is a project manager with Steelhead Communications, a telecommunications company. Jim Arlington is a former member of the Anchorage School Board (1992-1993) and now works in marketing with the Afognak Native Corporation. Karen Bronga filed on Sunday to run for the East Anchorage seat that will be vacated by Forrest Dunbar. The past two years have been marked by increased civic discord in Anchorage. Weddleton is the incumbent Assembly member for Seat J and is seeking a third term. Its important to make sure all of Anchorage sees Chugiak- Eagle River in its true light.. Danger often discusses crime, supports a city, , and is critical of the current Assembly. Ballots are due by June 21. Wehmhoff is a longtime resident of the Eagle River-Chugiak area, and briefly served as a member of the assembly member before, filling a vacancy in 2018-19 by former member and current Municipal Manager Amy Demboski. He is a frequent donor to Republican candidates. Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 250-0106 Email: lesgara@gmail.com Website: https://lesgara.com Official Election Pamphlet Information Download Official Candidate Statement (pdf) Download Official Candidate Statement (pdf) Murray is a longtime swim coach in Anchorage, including coaching at South High School. Seat K, the South Anchorage seat on the ballot, is held by Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance, who is retiring after two terms. The races could tip the balance of political power in the city. Bronson, a self-described conservative, has clashed multiple times with the current Assembly majority over city issues since taking office last year. She is an attorney, a former administrative law judge, assistant state attorney general and state prosecutor. Assembly District 2 - Seat A - Eagle River/Chugiak Kevin Cross Vanessa Stephens Gretchen Wehmhoff District 3 - Seat D - West Anchorage Kameron Perez-Verdia Liz Vazquez Nial Sherwood Williams. therefore, 15 . Rachel Ries is a former pilot and is currently a site lead with Puyenpa LLC, a construction consulting company. Eagle River-Chugiak lost all of Northeast Muldoon. Austin Quinn-Davidson announced back in November she would not run for reelection, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family. Lessens was elected to Seat B last year to serve the remainder of a term for a board member who resigned. Danger is a former, , actor, stunt man, and former union operating engineer. Dayton Keliikipi has filed to represent Midtown. What do you want to ask the candidates? This seat is available because former Assemblywoman Jamie Allard vacated her seat after being elected to the Legislature. How would you improve the quality of civic discourse in the city? (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media . The filing deadline for this election was January 28, 2022 . I honestly think that as far as knowledge goes Ive got quite a bit of knowledge under these kinds of conditions, and trying to keep people having their own money and keeping their own respect and being responsible for themselves is something that needs to be brought back.. In 2020, Rivera, a registered Democrat, came within 179 votes of losing to Save Anchorage candidate Christine Hill. I would return the Sullivan, among the longest-running COVID-19 shelters in the U.S., to the people. The mission of The Current is to publish a broad range of newsworthy and thought-provoking content, all which is interesting and constructive. John Trueblood is a project manager at Steelhead Communications, a telecommunications company. Explain. Constant ran unopposed for his second term. Ries is a first-time candidate for office. East Anchorage lost Wonder Park, Russian Jack, and Ptarmigan. During the 2021 redistricting cycle, Moore advocated for combining East Anchorage with Eagle River in one senate district, a pairing that was later ruled by a judge to be an unconstitutional gerrymander. Kameron Perez-Verdia is running for a second term as a district representative for West Anchorage . Only people living in the North Anchorage district will vote in the election. Alaska Public Media is collaborating with the Anchorage Daily News on candidate questionnaires ahead of the election. The candidates who have filed to run for the seat are Cliff Baker, Rob Forbes, Tasha Hotch, Robin Phillips, Stephanie Taylor and Daniel Volland. During my time in office that is exactly what I have done. was appointed to fill the remainder of his term. In 2020, voters approved a charter amendment to add a 12th seat to the assembly. Stephens is a lifelong Alaskan. to fill the remainder of her term (Robin Dern was selected). Zaletel defeated a recall petition against her last fall by a wide margin. Trueblood is a registered Republican. Keliipiki has begun to build a website which appears mostly copied from Arizona Congressional Candidate Alex Stovall, which you can read about here. I would rate the current administration an 8 or 9 based on the fact that Anchorage has a defined and broadly supported solution to improve homelessness and his efforts to petition the state to rebuild the Port of Alaska and a specific section of the port to ensure security of supply for Alaska while the remainder of the port is rebuilt. While Assembly seats are technically nonpartisan, if Anchorage voters elect some of the more conservative challengers, it could weaken the Assembly majoritys power and strengthen the mayors hand, especially when it comes to mayoral vetoes. Hes married to Bronson administration purchasing director Rachelle Alger. How would you improve the quality of civic discourse in the city? It was renamed the North Anchorage district. , who has been running for several months now to fill Pete Petersons seat. Being in the classroom and working for my community council, I know the struggles of working families and issues in our area of town, Bronga said in an interview. Whats one thing that makes you hopeful about Anchorages future? According to the REALTORS website, the purpose of RPAC is to promote and solicit donations for the election of pro-REALTOR candidates who understand and support their interests. She did not run in the 2021 mayoral election and returned to the Assembly in July, 2021 after Bronson took office. Last year, Dunbar ran for mayor and lost to Bronson in the runoff election by 1,193 votes. His district is currently the only assembly district without two assembly members. Zachary Johnson is a former pilot with the Alaska State Troopers. Update - March 7, 2022: Danger has withdrawn his candidacy for District 3 Assembly Seat D, West Anchorage. My platform that Im running on, Id like to help Anchorage get better, he said. A joint fundraiser was held last year by three candidates, Kathy Henslee, Stephanie Taylor and Randy Sulte, all Bronson supporters. What are your thoughts on how the topic of racism and its history in the United States should be taught in public schools? During her time in Alaska, she worked in the Municipality of Anchorage for seven years and then started a small business that she had to move away from after 14 years. The races could tip the balance of political power in the city. Karen Bronga filed on Sunday to run for the East Anchorage seat that will be vacated by Forrest Dunbar. Though Assembly seats are nonpartisan, the body has maintained a large voting block of moderate and progressive-leaning members over the past few years. Bronga served on the Scenic Foothills Community Council for 10 years and is registered Undeclared. He was recently endorsed by both Allard and Bronson, according to his campaign Facebook page, and both attended a campaign kickoff fundraiser for him this month. I return calls and emails. Last year, the race for this same seat, which Dunbar comfortably won over challenger Stephanie Taylor, saw $464,312 in political contributions. Leigh Sloan is a former teacher, pastor, and Republican political consultant. Ballots are in the mail. As I have watched the public servants in my beloved city ignore the citizens needs and make everyday life more and more difficult with restrictive regulations, out of control spending, and harmful social ideas, as they have closed our schools, churches, and small businesses, and then ignored us and treated us with contempt, I have become more and more convinced that I, as an average member of this community, could and would do a better job at bringing reasonable leadership, she wrote on her website. And those meetings just scratch the surface. Constant has served on the Assembly since 2017. Does the city do a good job of running municipal elections? Additionally, Brawley served as President of the Turnagain Community Council and Chair of the Anchorage Budget Advisory Commission. Under new municipal voting district lines thanks to the passage of Proposition 12, which Constant. She joins. Scroll further down for answers from individual candidates. Perez-Verdia is the incumbent for Seat D representing West Anchorage. What are your specific suggestions for improvement? Sulte is an engineer and a pilot. Contact us online or give us a call at (907) 365-8600 with any questions or obtain a price quote for this vehicle. To account for the new seat, the district also increased in size roughly doubling when the city set new district boundaries earlier this year. Ecommerce; christmas vacation santa and reindeer yard decorations. Henslee previously ran as a Republican candidate for the Alaska House, District 23, and lost in 2020. Scott Myers is a real estate broker with RE/MAX and president of the Southfork Community Council in Eagle River. I would start the healing process by removing five Assembly members from office this April and put all members on notice that they are elected community leaders and are here to represent the population at large and not their own private interests. If the Assembly chooses to fill the seat by appointment, the member vacating the seat would start the process by submitting a resignation letter, which would be followed by an application period, interview and possible appointment. s retiring after two terms. The race to serve out the remaining two years in the east-side district vacated by now-state Sen. Forrest Dunbar is comparably one-sided in terms of fundraising.