Name: Daniel (Dan) Ortiz
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired/Substitute Teacher
Where are you from? How long have you lived in Ketchikan?
57 year resident of Ketchikan
What is your community involvement, past and present?
33 year public school teacher, coach of: High School Basketball, Track, Cross-Country, & DDF. Volunteer at other Kayhi Sporting events. Member of Holy Name Catholic Church.
Have you previously run for public office? When and what office?
10 years as District 1 State Representative, 2014-2024, I year as a Borough Assembly Member. October 2025 to current.
Why are you running for borough assembly?
I would like to continue to do public service for the Community of Ketchikan.
What are your top priorities if elected?
Advocate for our public school system and our communities youth who attend our public schools.
What is your position on the ballot proposition asking for the transfer of library powers?
I have been and will continue to be an advocate for our Public Library and the level of service (and services) it currently provides. Because it serves the residents of the entire borough, I think it makes sense that the powers be transferred to the Borough Government. Its another example of why I think the community of Ketchikan needs only one government body, not two. If the Juneau Borough which has a much bigger population than the Ketchikan Borough can be governed by one body, certainly Ketchikan can.
Do you think the borough is doing an adequate job keeping up with infrastructure and community needs that come with increasing tourism? If not, what steps should be taken to address it?
No, It’s pretty clear just from observing the over crowded downtown streets and recreation areas outside of the city that more needs to be done to balance the interests of those whose business interests are tied in the Tourist Industry with the interests held by our year round residents who are not tied to the Tourist Industry.
What are ways the assembly can address the housing affordability crisis?
Its a difficult nation wide problem, with no easy answers. From the Borough Level, providing or advocating for more access to affordable publicly owned land, is one of the most concrete things we can work towards. Advocating for more access to Federal and State owned lands as well as looking to support access (roads, sewer, water) to Borough owned lands should be a primary goal for Borough Assembly members.
What is your position on school funding? Do you think the borough should be funding the school district to the maximum allowable by state law?
Absolutely, and the State needs to provide more financial support for our public school system. The level of State support over these past 10-14 years has failed to even come close to rate of inflation, (CIP) during that same time period. If the State begins to get closer to catching up with the rate of inflation, this will also increase the level of the funding cap for the Borough.
Describe one piece of legislation you would like to bring forward as an assembly member, and explain how you think it should be funded.
Advocating for public education and doing what I can from the Borough Level to support our Fishing and Tourist industries will take precedent for me over any other piece of legislation or interest I personally may have.
