The candidate filing period in Haines closed at 5 p.m. Friday with two new hopefuls squeaking in. Lynn Canal Gillnetters president Ryan Cook and business owner Leonard Dubber join Judy Erekson, Heather Lende and incumbent Diana Lapham in the race for two open assembly seats.
Lapham is finishing up her first term, which she won as a write-in candidate. She has also served as deputy mayor. The other assembly seat opening soon is held by George Campbell, who announced this week that he will not be running.
Author Lende currently serves on the planning commission, but her term expires this year. She’s not new to the assembly game, but hasn’t been a member in two decades. Haines School bookkeeper Judy Erekson currently serves on the Public Safety Commission. Cook is a commercial fisherman and says he’s never run for local politics before now. Dubber owns a trailer park, and a couple of different businesses in Haines.
As for the Haines School Board race, long-time board member Sarah Swinton, and fellow incumbent Lisa Schwartz declared candidacy for the two seats they currently occupy.
Local elections take place Tuesday, Oct. 4. Keep listening to KHNS for updates on the race, and the schedule for candidate forums in both Haines and Skagway.
