Prosperity or Posturing? Anchorage Mayoral Race Will Lead to One of Two Paths Forward

April 6, 2021

By mid-day Wednesday, Anchorage voters should know if they have a new mayor, or if a runoff election on May 11^th is waiting for them.

The vote-by-mail election for four School Board seats, a recall of the acting Assembly President, eight bond propositions and the city’s new mayor wraps up at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, and preliminary voter turnout numbers show the vast majority of Anchorage residents have not taken the time to be heard yet.

Anchorage has moved in an exceptionally progressive direction with regard to most social and economic issues the past six years, as former mayor Ethan Berkowitz, acting mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson and a staunchly left-leaning assembly have made homelessness and climate change priorities, while dismissing pro-business and public safety concerns.

As COVID-19 hit last year, city leadership spent the vast majority of its CARES Act funding on long-term homeless solutions, even as thousands of small businesses struggled and closed.  The city prioritized climate change over education, as mandated closures of schools, churches, restaurants, health and recreational facilities and other key business and societal units were the norm, as was investment in new solar panels for many city buildings.  The government workers stayed employed, while the private sector reeled.

Mayoral hopefuls have fallen into two distinct camps: those who believe the last year’s actions were not only correct, but didn’t go far enough, and those who believe that government stifled the private sector, held citizens hostage through fear-mongering, and need to be held accountable for Anchorage’s struggling economy.

With the entire assembly up for re-election over the next two years, this year’s municipal results could signal a distinct change for the future of Anchorage.  Power The Future will continue to update its supporters on the goings-on in Alaska’s biggest city.