Anchorage mayoral candidate Suzanne LaFrance notched another significant endorsement today with the announcement that The Alaska Center, a nonprofit advocacy group, is backing her heading into next year’s election.
In a prepared statement accompanying the announcement, Political Director Jenny-Marie Stryker said the Anchorage Assembly’s former chair has proven to support the organization’s key priorities.
“Suzanne LaFrance will be an ally of our values of clean air and water, healthy communities, and a strong democracy,” Stryker said. “As one of the Assembly members who helped pass Anchorage’s Climate Action Plan, Suzanne knows the work we have to do to move our community forward, and we are confident she will make competent and trustworthy appointments to accomplish this.”
LaFrance served as the chair of the Anchorage Assembly before announcing that she wouldn’t seek another term ahead of this year’s local elections. The field for mayor is already becoming crowded with incumbent far-right Mayor Dave Bronson seeking a second term in a field that also includes former Anchorage Democratic Rep. Chris Tuck and former Anchorage Economic Development Corp. head Bill Popp.
Bronson’s term has been marked by controversy and ineptitude, generating several costly lawsuits and settlements while leaving many of the city’s key departments severely understaffed. Just last week, the Anchorage Assembly approved a $250,000 contract to handle the latest lawsuit against the Bronson administration, which alleges a hostile workplace, and the city’s Office of Information Technology director resigned after he was implicated in a plot with a Bronson ally to overturn this year’s election results.
“Anchorage desperately needs a Mayor who will fight for our city and focus on creating a thriving, just, and sustainable Anchorage, and Suzanne LaFrance is the right person for the job. She has immense local knowledge and experience and is a proven leader for Anchorage,” Stryker said. “Mayor Bronson has shown that he values petty partisan fighting and political theater more than the people of Anchorage. It’s time to get competent, honest, and reliable leadership back in the Mayor’s office.”
Other key endorsements
On Monday, the political action committee representing the ASEA/AFSCME Local 52, the union representing more than 8,000 state and municipal employees, announced it had endorsed LaFrance. ASEA/AFSCME Executive Director Heidi Drygas wrote on Twitter: “Proud to support Suzanne LaFrance for Anchorage Mayor! She has the knowledge, experience, temperament and sound judgment to get Alaska back on track.”
Earlier this month, the Anchorage Central Labor Council also announced its unanimous endorsement of LaFrance for mayor. The Anchorage Central Labor Council is the local arm of the AFL-CIO and represents some 15,000 workers within the municipality.
“Anchorage is a labor town, and the municipality deserves a mayor that is going to look out for working people while getting our city back on track,” the labor council announcement said.
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.