Assembly Candidates File Finance Reports

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Campaign finance reports from the Alaska Public Offices Commission Wednesday are offering a first look at how much money candidates for Anchorage Assembly are raising, about seven weeks before April’s city elections.

In West Anchorage, liberal incumbent Harriet Drummond has raised more than $35,000, including money from labor unions and donations from familiar names like Sen. Mark Begich, Assembly member Mike Gutierrez and former Assembly member Matt Claman.

APOC says forms from Drummond’s conservative opponent, Liz Vazquez, could still be in the mail and aren’t yet available.

In East Anchorage, Gutierrez is up against two conservatives: Adam Trombley and Paul Bauer. Gutierrez has raised more than $14,000, supported by Assembly members Drummond, Elvi Gray-Jackson and Paul Honeman and former mayoral candidate Eric Croft.

Trombley has raised more than $11,000 with strong conservative financial support from Mayor Dan Sullivan, former mayor Rick Mystrom, Assembly members Ernie Hall, Bill Starr and Jennifer Johnston, and former Assembly member Dan Coffey.

APOC says Bauer's forms are still in the mail.

In the Midtown race, liberal incumbent Gray-Jackson is facing conservative challenger David Bronson. Reports say Gray-Jackson, who is supported by several labor unions, has brought in more than $66,000 -- nearly six times as much money as Bronson, and the most money of all Assembly candidates who have submitted reports.

Of the money Bronson has raised, $4,300 has come from his own pocket.

In South Anchorage, candidate Mike Kenny has raised nearly $12,000. He has been president of the Teamsters Union in Alaska and has support from several labor groups.

APOC says financial statements from Kenny’s conservative opponent, Chris Birch, could be in the mail and are not posted yet.

In the Chugiak/Eagle River race only one candidate, conservative Bill Starr, is filing financial reports. His other challengers don't have to because they say they'll raise less than $5,000. On the latest financial report, Starr says he has yet to raise any money.

In the Downtown race, only liberal Patrick Flynn is filing financial reports. He has raised more than $10,000, with money from a few labor unions and other contributors.

Candidates will file updated reports about their spending on March 7, 30 days before the elections.

Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com