Following a year of snow-related school closures, highly visible homelessness and an increase in crime, new research shows Anchorage residents want the next mayor and Assembly to work together to address these core pillars of municipal government.
A poll commissioned in December by Alaska-based government watchdog 907 Initiative asked 600 registered Anchorage voters how they felt about their city government, and what issues are most important to them. Respondents across the political spectrum overwhelmingly prioritized crime and public safety, the local economy, snow plowing and homelessness. The poll surveyed Republicans, Democrats, undeclared and nonpartisan voters.
Eighty percent of respondents said they wanted the Assembly and mayor to work together to address these issues, and 67% said the municipality is on the wrong track. Sixty-eight percent said the city deserves a competent mayor who can do a better job running the city.
While snow plowing itself was ranked third in priority behind crime and the economy, respondents found the lack of street maintenance has a domino effect, creating an unsafe driving environment and that it keeps children and parents home from school and work, damaging the local economy.
Eighty percent ranked crime and public safety as their top issue. Respondents called for a holistic approach to making the city more safe, with 87% supporting better snow plowing to increase safe transit, and 87% calling for Anchorage Police Department vacancies to be filled. Another 84% support investments in mental health and crisis response, 83% support increased domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and 81% support more policing of petty crimes.
On homelessness, residents support year-round shelter, affordable housing, case management, and treatment for addiction and mental health, but they also want “the streets cleaned up.” People across the political spectrum responded positively to addressing visible homelessness and unsanctioned camping and they want a welcoming downtown and safe trails.
The poll showed that winter-only shelter was a less popular approach. In 2022, the Bronson administration pivoted from providing all-year shelter to winter-only shelter, resulting in large encampments throughout the city, including hundreds of people camping at Centennial Campground in 2022 and along Third Avenue near downtown in 2023.
Respondents were largely supportive of the municipal government structure, and wanted vacancies across city departments filled by offering more competitive wages and benefits. Sixty percent of respondents opposed using private contractors over hiring more city workers. On housing, 70% of residents said they would be more likely to vote for a mayor that prioritizes more affordable housing by investing in building more housing and cutting down on building costs.
The next mayoral election is just around the corner, with ballots going out in March and due back April 2. Three candidates launched significant campaigns to unseat incumbent mayor Dave Bronson: former Anchorage Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance, former Anchorage Economic Development Corp. president and CEO Bill Popp, and former Democratic House Majority Leader Chris Tuck. Six other less prominent candidates have also filed, but have not put forth significant campaigns or fundraising efforts.
