Bob Sivertsen – Photo courtesy of City of Ketchikan
Ketchikan City Councilmember Bob Sivertsen has officially filed to run as a Republican candidate for House District 36. Sivertsen filed the necessary paperwork with the Alaska Public Offices Commission and the Alaska Division of Elections on Monday. Sivertsen worked for the City of Ketchikan for 38 years before retiring. He has served on the City Council for the past six years.
Sivertsen first announced his intention to run for State House last fall when he filed to run for City Council. He says he has the necessary relationships and experience to be an effective state representative.
“You wonder why somebody would run when we have such a budget issue with the State of Alaska. I think that might be an opportunity for us to restructure and do some good things. But it’s going to take a lot of work, and I believe my experience and ability to work with people and gain consensus will help our district and our communities.”
He says the state budget is the biggest issue facing the legislature and solutions will require cooperation.
“We all have, as communities, infrastructure issues and are looking forward for energy and growth and workforce development. There are a lot of things involved in that. When you look at the budget, you have to look at some of the across-the-board cuts, what the net value of those are. Are we really saving money when cost ourselves on the other end. It’s just a matter of working with budgets and finding out where we have common ground and move forward.”
Sivertsen’s name will appear on the August primary ballot. House District 36 Representative Dan Ortiz filed a letter of intent to run for reelection earlier this year. As an independent, Ortiz will run in the November general election after submitting the proper paperwork.
House District 36 covers the southern tip of Alaska’s Southeast region. It includes Ketchikan, Saxman, Wrangell, Metlakatla, Hydaburg, Hyder, Loring and Meyers Chuck.
