Not every seat will be contested in Juneau’s fall election after all.
Carole Triem, who was registered as the sole challenger for Maria Gladziszewski’s seat as the Areawide member on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, dropped out of the race Wednesday afternoon. Triem, an economic development advisor for the state, said in a statement that she reached the conclusion after “more thought and consideration.”
“I am extraordinarily grateful to the many family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances that offered their many levels of support for my candidacy,” Triem said in a statement. “I am especially thankful to my fellow millennials who had faith in me to represent their interests, priorities and approach to our community, its challenges and sustainable future.”
Triem declined to comment further.
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, there were seven candidates for three Assembly spots and each of the seats was contested. Now, Gladziszewski will run unopposed for re-election.
The announcement came almost exactly 48 hours after Triem registered with the city to run. It would have been Triem’s first political campaign. In an interview immediately after she finished her paperwork, Triem said she wanted to become more involved in the way Juneau’s Assembly works, as she intends to be a long-term resident.
She also said the increasing homelessness and opioid addiction in Juneau encouraged her to get involved as well. Triem said she thinks Gladziszewski has “done a great job” on the Assembly thus far and wasn’t running because of any kind of opposition to her. Gladziszewski is finishing her first term on the Assembly, and is a member of the Mining Task Force.
“I will continue to look for opportunities to be engaged in our community,” Triem said to finish her statement.
