Anchorage Mayoral Election Heads to a Run-Off
After months of anticipation, the recent mayoral election has set the stage for a runoff between incumbent David Bronson and challenger Suzanne LaFrance, as neither of them was able to secure more than the 45% of the vote required to win the election in the first round. Bronson and LaFrance were the frontrunners of a group of 10 candidates, followed by Bill Popp and Chris Tuck. As of April 5, 2024, LaFrance led with 36.3% of the vote, closely trailing Bronson with 35.0%. Popp and Tuck secured 17.2% and 8%, respectively. The rest of the candidates garnered less than 3% of the vote collectively.
Turnout for the election is posed to be higher than the previous mayoral election in 2021. According to unofficial election results of the municipality, 51,234 ballots had been returned as of the morning of Election Day. While there are several days of counting ahead, it appears to be on track to surpass the total of 75,441 ballots processed in 2021. Bronson, elected in 2021, campaigned on the strength of his first-term accomplishments, highlighting his opposition to tax and spending rate hikes while emphasizing his efforts in steering Anchorage’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, LaFrance, a former Anchorage Assembly member and chairwoman during Bronson’s initial years in office, advocated for unity and rejuvenation, citing her extensive experience in business and governance. Mayoral run-offs are not a new development in Anchorage. In 2021, David Bronson won in a run-off election against Forrest Dunbar. Similarly, the rivalry between LaFrance and Bronson has existed for a few years. In fact, it has been a significant element of the last few years of the city’s political environment, and it’s rooted in their contrasting visions for Anchorage’s future. LaFrance’s tenure in the Assembly, marked by policy disputes and budget clashes with Bronson’s administration, underscored their divergent approaches to governance. Beyond the mayoral race, Anchorage residents also cast their votes for nine ballot propositions, ranging from school district improvements to public safety enhancements. Only seven propositions garnered sizable support. In addition, Pat Higgins, Dora Wilson, and Carl Jacobs respectively won seats E, F, and G of the School Board, and Mark Littlefield, who was running unopposed, will fill the seat left by former Assembly member, Kevin Cross in the Anchorage Assembly. Ballots for the upcoming mayoral run-off election are set to be mailed on April 30, and the runoff is slated for May 14, so we will have to wait until then to know who will lead the city for the upcoming three years. But, in the meantime, it’s imperative to remember the importance of participating in local politics. This is the area where your voice has the most impact and can be deciding to make positive changes in our community. Therefore, don’t forget to vote in the upcoming mayoral run-off. |