Former Anchorage Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance is now Mayor-elect Suzanne LaFrance.
According to the latest round of results from the May 14 runoff election, LaFrance’s 5,487-vote lead over Mayor Dave Bronson is larger than the number of outstanding ballots, firmly shutting the door on any potential comeback for the conservative whose term has been marked by a carousel of controversies. She will be Anchorage’s first elected female mayor.
It also shuts the door on any fears that Bronson’s closing message — insisting that he was “normal” and LaFrance was “woke” — would paper over three years of ethical breaches, poorly plowed roads and allegations of self-dealing. LaFrance, a moderate registered nonpartisan, said in a prepared statement her focus on bridging divides was vindicated.
“I’m grateful for all the support and the clear outcome of this election,” said LaFrance. “As I’ve said throughout the campaign, local government isn’t about left or right. It’s about coming together to get things done. I’m excited about what we can do in this next chapter for Anchorage.”
The mayoral election results are set to be certified on May 31, setting the path for LaFrance’s inauguration on July 1. She will be tasked with significant problems left behind by Bronson, such as messy bookkeeping, hollowed-out city departments and the city’s ongoing response to homelessness.
“Over the coming days and weeks, my team and I will be sharing more about the transition, what’s ahead, and how to get involved,” said LaFrance. “We’ve got a lot to do, but I’m ready to get to work as your mayor.”
The number of late-arriving ballots has dwindled to a trickle, according to the city’s ballot return data, with just 107 being returned on Monday. A total of 80,182 ballots have been returned, of which 78,476 have been counted as of Friday.
Matt Acuña Buxton is a long-time political reporter who has written for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and The Midnight Sun political blog. He also authors the daily politics newsletter, The Alaska Memo, and can frequently be found live-tweeting public meetings on Twitter.