This story has been updated to reflect additional filings.
The race to fill open seats in the City and Borough of Juneau’s Oct. 5 municipal election heated up Monday afternoon, as a flurry of candidates filed before the 4:30 p.m. deadline.
As the filing period closed, competitive races shaped up for both of the open CBJ Assembly seats and six candidates are vying for three open seats on the school board. Despite efforts to add ballot questions earlier this summer, none advanced to the ballot.
Incumbent Mayor Beth Weldon is poised to serve another term as mayor, as she faces no competition on election day. Weldon would fill a second, three-year term in the mayor’s office.
District 2 Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale is running to serve a second, three-year term on the CBJ Assembly. Late Monday afternoon, Kelly Fishler joined the race for the seat.
Mayor Weldon to run for a second term
In Assembly District 1, a three-person race is set with Paul Kelly, Barbara Blake and Troy Wuyts-Smith vying for the seat being vacated by longtime Assembly Member Loren Jones, who is barred from running again due to term limits.
Kelly launches campaign for CBJ Assembly
Six candidates have filed for three open seats on the school board, including current board president Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon and newcomers Wiljordon V. Sangster, Aaron Spratt, Thomas Buzärd, Amber Frommherz and Ibn Bailey.
Assembly member to seek reelection
The window for candidates to file with the City Clerk’s office and turn in all related paperwork closed at 4:30 p.m., on Monday.
Race is on for opening CBJ Assembly seat
The official list of candidates is online at juneau.org/clerk/clerk-certified-municipal-candidates-2021. Candidates can withdraw their candidacy until July 30.
The election
By city charter, CBJ holds a municipal election on the first Tuesday of October each year.
This year, the municipal election will be conducted primarily by mail. Voters must register or update voter information by Sept. 5 to receive a ballot in the mail.
Local election filing period now open
In an interview last week, City Clerk Beth McEwen said this year’s election will be similar to the one held in 2020 with a few changes, including a local mailing destination for returned ballots and at least two in-person voting locations on election day.
Municipal election to be conducted mostly by mail
Voters can register or update personal information on the Alaska Division of Elections website at www.elections.alaska.gov/Core/voterregistration.
• Contact reporter Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or 907-308-4891.
