Three new candidates entered Ketchikan’s local election races Monday, and another announced his intention to do so. Keenan Sanderson filed for re-election to the School Board, with Jaimie Palmer filing for re-election to the Borough Assembly. Bridget Mattson, who has previously served on the School Board, entered the race for the assembly.
Grant EchoHawk is up for re-election to the assembly, but is currently running for the Alaska House. However, he announced in a Facebook post Monday that he intends to run for both bodies, and will resign from the borough seat if he wins at the state level.
In a phone interview, EchoHawk explained that he likely won’t have time to do much campaigning for the borough, but hopes voters support him in the two different races.
“I enjoy my time on the Borough Assembly,” he said. “I’d like to continue on the Borough Assembly, if for any reason, the House race does not — the vote doesn’t turn out as well as I’d hoped. Either way, I’d like to remain in public service.”
EchoHawk said he’s currently on the road and likely won’t officially file for a week or so. Once he does, the assembly race will become competitive, with at least three candidates running for two open seats.
The Ketchikan School Board still has three open positions, with President Stephen Bradford and Nicole Anderson up for re-election and a one-year seat to finish a resigned member’s term also available.
The deadline to file for all local races is August 26.
