Friday, August 1, was the first day Ketchikan residents could file to run for office in the municipal election this fall. And people are already signing up.
Borough Mayor Rodney Dial was first to file. He’s seeking a 3-year seat on the Borough Assembly. Dial is unable to run for Borough mayor due to term limits, so the mayoral seat is up for grabs.
Assembly member Austin Otos, who also can’t run for reelection due to term limits, has thrown his hat in the ring to run for Borough mayor.
There are three seats opening up on the Borough Assembly currently held by assembly members Otos, Alan Bailey, and Glen Thompson. That leaves two three-year seats and a one-year seat open.
Grant Echohawk has filed for a 3-year term. Echohawk is a former Assembly member and ran unsuccessfully last year for Alaska State House.
Three members of the Ketchikan school board have also stepped down over the last year. Meaning there are two 3-year seats and one 2-year seat open on the Ketchikan School Board.
Paul Robbins, Jr., who was appointed last August to fill one of those vacancies, is running for a 2-year term.
Two people have filed for the 3-year school board seats – Lindsey Johnson and Melissa Reed.
On the city side, there are two, 3-year terms open on the City Council. Those seats are currently held by Abby Bradberry and Lallette Kistler.
As of 4 pm Friday, no additional candidates filed for office.
The filing deadline for both city and borough offices is 5 pm on Monday, August 25. Municipal elections are on October 7.
