Four Seek Two Assembly Seats

Diana Gish/KMXT

Four office-seekers vying for two Kodiak Island Borough Assembly seats took part in a candidate forum last night, sponsored by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce.

Assemblymembers Jerrol Friend and Chris Lynch are seeking re-election to their seats on the assembly. Steve Branson and Dave King are challenging the incumbents.

The moderated forum gave each candidate the opportunity to answer questions including what issues they’d like to address if elected to serve on the borough assembly.

Steve Branson is a fisherman in Kodiak. It’s his first run for a seat on the assembly.

— (KIB Candidates 1 :57 "I kinda have … little smoother")

Jerrol Friend is a contractor. He’s coming to the end of his first term on the assembly and is hoping to be re-elected:

— (KIB Candidates 2 :58 "Uh,the research … the near future.")

Dave King works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If elected, it would be King’s first time on the assembly.

— (KIB Candidates 3 :49 "The issues that … and heard also.")

Chris Lynch is an engineer and small business owner, she’s seeking a second term on the assembly:

— (KIB Candidates 4 :58 "The items that … piece of property.")

The purpose of the candidate’s forum was to introduce the candidates in advance of the upcoming municipal election. Since both assembly seats are "at-large," the top two vote getters will be seated.

In addition to the two assembly seats, the borough ballot will include bond issues and two school board seats. Two current school board members, Norm Wooten and Petal Ruch have filed for re-election to those seats. There are also several service area board seats to be filled though only three candidates filed for those seats.

The election takes place next Tuesday, October 6^th.

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