Two incumbents, eight challengers file in 2019 Anchorage Assembly races


On February 1, 2019, the filing deadline passed to run in the Anchorage Assembly elections in Alaska. Five of the assembly’s 11 total seats are on the ballot in the nonpartisan general election on April 2. Two incumbents filed and are unopposed in their re-election bids: Forrest Dunbar representing District 5 (Seat H) and John Weddleton representing District 6 (Seat J).

Eight candidates filed in open-seat races for District 2 (Seat A), District 3 (Seat D), and District 4 (Seat F). This guarantees the election of three new members to the council. In District 4, candidate Ron Alleva previously ran to represent District 4 (Seat G), but he was defeated in the general election on April 4, 2017.

The city of Anchorage holds its elections in odd-numbered years but held a special election on August 7, 2018, for District 3 (Seat E). The election was triggered after a former member, Tim Steele, resigned for health reasons. Prior to the 2018 special election, six of the 11 assembly seats were up for election on April 4, 2017. That year also saw only two incumbents file for re-election. Both retained their seats with four newcomers picking up the additional positions on the ballot.