The candidate filing period has opened for the special mayoral election for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor. Candidates interested in running for Borough Mayor can apply starting Monday November 14th with a deadline of 4:30 p.m. November 30th, 2022.
For those wanting to run for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor, those most be a qualified voter who has resided within the Kenai Peninsula Borough for one year immediately preceding filing for office may have his/her name placed on the ballot for Borough Mayor. Candidates are required to submit two forms, Declaration of Candidacy Form and a Candidate Information Form. The term of office for special election will be until October 2023.
As of Monday, November 14th, two candidates have submitted paperwork to seek the office of Borough Mayor, according to the borough’s website. Those candidates are Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings and Peter Micciche.
Farnsworth-Hutchings ran for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor in 2017 and 2020. She currently is serving as a member of the Soldotna City Council.
Peter Micciche is currently serving as State Senator for District O and President of the Alaska State Senate since 2021. Micciche has held the office of Senator since 2013 and did not seek re-election in 2022. Micciche was previously the mayor of Soldotna, and a member of the Soldotna city council.
The Special Mayoral Election, mandated for the election of a Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor to fill the vacancy generated by the resignation of former Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
The February 14 date aligns with the Assembly’s designated time frame of calling a special election at least 75 days prior to the date of the election. The Assembly appropriated $250,000 from the General Fund to the Assembly Elections Division for the purpose of conducting the Special Mayoral Election and the Special Mayoral Runoff Election, if necessary. A run-off election is necessary if no candidate receives over 50% of the votes cast in the special election.
For more information on the Special Mayoral Election click here.
