Suzanne LaFrance is the first challenger of Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson in the April 2024 municipal election. The former Assembly member filed her campaign letter of intent on Monday seeking to unseat Bronson, who filed for re-election in December 2022.
As mayor, LaFrance said she would like to focus on the housing shortage, lack of affordable quality child care, and addressing staffing challenges in the municipality. She believes it is important to provide services — plowed roads, public safety officers, a modernized port, quality schools, clean water, parks and libraries — in a cost-effective and efficient way.
“I take this decision very seriously and am excited to engage and work with others to move towards this bright future,” said LaFrance, a life-long Alaskan who grew up in Palmer.
LaFrance served on the Assembly representing moderate-to-conservative South Anchorage from 2017 to 2023. She was elected chair in June 2021, serving through a tumultuous period marked by allegations, unlawful spending and lawsuits against the Bronson administration.
As chair, she led inquiries into the hiring of the disgraced former Anchorage Health Department director Joe Gerace, $4.9 million of unauthorized spending on a proposed homeless navigation center, and a scathing letter outlining illegal and unethical behavior sent by former municipal Manager Amy Demboski.
In March, the Assembly learned that the municipality was placed on a severe violators list by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, putting the city at risk of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for workplace safety violations. LaFrance worked to establish a Director of Health and Safety position to help protect city employees from unsafe working conditions.
Former Assembly member John Weddleton said during the past two years, LaFrance and the Assembly have “been forced to take a deeper role in the nuts and bolts” of municipal government, which he sees as a strength heading into her campaign.
“I expect Suzanne will continue to focus on the basics: Rebuilding the Port, our housing shortage and its symptoms, the lack of childcare, economic development,” said Weddleton, a moderate who represented South Anchorage for six years. “Nothing flashy. No national headlines. Just simple, well-run government.”
LaFrance, who worked in telecommunications prior to serving on the Assembly, is registered as non-partisan and has been a steady, calm influence in the Assembly chambers. She is the first to challenge Bronson but it is likely that others will jump into the race, particularly Republicans who are dissatisfied with Mayor Bronson’s leadership, according to veteran Alaska political consultant Jim Lottsfeldt.
“There will certainly be some that will jump in because they see Bronson as wounded. I think Republicans will panic,” said Lottsfeldt. “Suzanne is a great candidate because she is moderate, very competent, calm, and has been the voice of reason for so long.”
Weddleton said that it is important for candidates to have “experience with the job and clear commitment to the work.” He believes that LaFrance has proven herself over her six-year tenure on the Assembly.
“It’s risky to support anyone for mayor who has not been on the Assembly,” Weddleton said, adding praise for LaFrance’s ability to work respectfully with others despite disagreeing on an issue. “Suzanne has been deep into all aspects, and that will serve all of us well.”
During her time on the Assembly, LaFrance worked on ordinances related to housing, public safety and childcare, including safe routes to schools, wildfire prevention, and a ballot proposition that directs marijuana sales taxes to be spent on early child care and education.
“Our community can have a bright future. We live in a beautiful place that is full of opportunity,” said LaFrance, who lives in South Anchorage with her husband and three children. “We need an experienced leader, someone who knows the nuts and bolts of municipal operations and cares deeply about the people who live here, and who will be ready on day one to begin the work of rebuilding trust in our local government.”
