Alaska News

Anchorage Assembly: Meet the candidates

DISTRICT 2: SEAT A CHUGIAK/EAGLE RIVER

Amy Demboski

Age: 36

Party registration: Republican

Occupation(s): Paralegal, business development & management, dental assistant

Professional, community and service organizations: Chairwoman, city Budget Advisory Commission; Chugiak Community Council, past president and current member; Chugiak-Eagle River Parks and Recreation Board of Supervisors, mayoral appointee

Spouse's name and occupation: Ben, firefighter

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Children: 16 and 13

Website: amy4assembly.com

Facebook: Amy Demboski for Assembly

Twitter: @AmyDemboski

Why running: As chair of the city Budget Advisory Commission, I recognize that we need someone who knows the issues, knows Chugiak-Eagle River, knows the fiscal reality of the city as a whole, and is a strong advocate for fiscal restraint and accountability; I love our community, I was raised here, and I have the local knowledge that will help advocate for the residents of Chugiak, Eagle River, and JBER.

Pete Mulcahy

Age: 55 Party registration: Undeclared Occupation(s): Former post commander, Fort Richardson; former Armed Services YMCA executive director. Current, business development

Professional, community and service organizations: City Planning and Zoning Commission member, 2011-present; Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department Board of Supervisors, 2010-present; past member, Anchorage Military and Veterans Commission; board of directors, Association of the United States Army: 2000-present; president, Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; past president, Eagle River Area Rotary, Rotarian of the Year 2010-11; former military liaison to the Anchorage School Board. Received Superintendent's award for volunteerism.

Spouse's name and occupation: Deb, school librarian, Begich Middle School

Children: 28, 23, 21, 20

Website: petemulcahyforassembly.com

Facebook: Pete Mulcahy for Assembly

Twitter: @petemulcahy

Why running: Our community's future is uncertain; now is not the time for bumper sticker slogans or dogmatic, uncompromising stances -- we need proven, disciplined, conservative leaders who understand the issues, are creative problem solvers, will look outside government for answers, and will conduct civil discussions with all interests involved: I am that kind of leader.

Bob Lupo

Age: 72

Party registration: Veterans Party of Alaska

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Occupation(s): Design, maintain, and operate hi-tech equipment and systems in the nuclear, space, radio, radar, missile arenas, including research and development. Also taught electronics in the military and for the University of Alaska.

Current employer: Retired from military and federal services.

Professional, community and service organizations: Masons, Shriners, Elks, Eagles, ARRL, AARC, NRA, and others.

Spouse's name and occupation: Not married

Children: 46, 36, 33, 24.

Why running: I believe I have meaningful things to say, and do.

DISTRICT 3: SEAT D WEST ANCHORAGE

Ernie Hall

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Age: 69

Party registration: Non-partisan

Occupation(s): Business owner for 45 years

Professional, community and service organizations: Rotary Club, Food Bank of Alaska, Alaska Children's Services, Alascom Civilian Advisory Board, Chancellor's Advisory Board at UAA, Chair of Career Tech Advisory Board at ASD, Anchorage Fur Rondy

Spouse's name and occupation: Sandra, retired school teacher

Children: 37, 44, 45, 45, 46, 47

Facebook: erniehallforassembly.com

Why running: Commitment to the community

Nick Moe

(write-in candidate)

Age: 26

Party registration: Democrat

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Occupation(s): Alaska Center for the Environment sustainable communities coordinator; small business owner

Professional, community and service organizations: North Star Community Council; AK Backbone; Airport Master Plan Working Group; Green Star Inc., board member; Alaska Food Policy Council, board member; Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, board member; Anchorage Homebrew Association; UAA Planetarium

Spouse's name and occupation: Not married

Facebook: Nick Moe for Assembly

Why running: West Anchorage deserves a representative on the Assembly who respects the public process. I believe every person in West Anchorage has the right to be heard.

DISTRICT 3: SEAT E WEST ANCHORAGE

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Cheryl Frasca

Age: 62

Party registration: 1968-1985 Democrat 1986-2002 No Party Preference 2003-present Republican

Occupation(s): formerly fiscal policy/budget executive for State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage; small business owner

Professional, community and service organizations, current: Anchorage Assembly member; CivicVentures board; Commonwealth North board; UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research Advisory board; Alaska Regional Hospital board; University of Alaska Foundation, Finance & Audit Committee; Alaska Native Arts Foundation board. Some prior positions: board of Anchorage Convention Visitors Bureau, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Website: frascaforanchorage.com

Facebook: Cheryl Frasca for Assembly

Why running: To apply my years of experience working with citizens, elected officials, and municipal government to develop and implement effective solutions on behalf of taxpayers.

Phil Isley

Age: 57

Party registration: None

Occupation(s): Aircraft mechanic, insurance benefits specialist

Current employer: Self and Aflac

Spouse's name and occupation: Divorced

Children: 32 & 35

Website: philisley.us

Why running: To provide voters with a nonaffiliated choice for the West Anchorage Assembly seat.

Tim Steele

Age: 67

Party registration: Nonpartisan

Occupation(s): U.S. Army in Vietnam; urban/regional land use planning; land developer; general building contractor & real estate broker; lieutenant commander -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Professional, community and service organizations: Former School Board member; Vietnam Veterans or America; American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Anchorage Chamber of Commerce; School Business Partnership; Commonwealth North

Spouse's name and occupation:

Widower of Deirdre Fornea Steele

Children: 19 and 24

Website: TimSteeleForAssembly.com

Facebook: facebook.com/TimSteeleForAnchorageAssembly

Email:TimSteeleForAssembly@gmail.com

Why running: I'm running to restore an independent Assembly in Anchorage.

DISTRICT 4: SEAT F MIDTOWN ANCHORAGE

Andy Clary

Age: 35

Party registration: Republican

Occupation(s): Project manager Professional, community and service organizations: three years on the Budget Advisory Commission, one year as chair; former member, Health and Human Services Commission; former director Abbott Loop Community Council; former president, Adobe Users Group.

Spouse's name and occupation: Stephanie, Community Relations & Development

Website: andyforassembly.com

Facebook: facebook.com/andyforassembly

Why running: I love Anchorage, it is home, and I care about my neighbors; I want to see our community continue to provide the opportunities and services we all love for many generations to come.

Dick Traini

Age: 63

Party registration: Non-partisan

Occupation(s): Retired. USAF 1969-1992, civil service Air Force 1994-2012

Professional, community and service organizations: Assembly Member 1991-1995, 2000 appointed, 2001-2008, 2010-current; Assembly chairman, 1993-1995, 2004-2006, 2010-2011; Alumni Board of Directors National League of Cities; National League of Cities Public Safety Committee

Spouse's name and occupation: Sandy, public school teacher

Children: 8 adult children

Website: dicktraini.com

Twitter handle: @Traini4Assembly

Facebook page: facebook.com/TrainiForAssembly

Why running: I care about the future of Anchorage and I want to be involved in the type of town we have.

DISTRICT 5: SEAT H EAST ANCHORAGE

Paul Honeman

Age: 52

Party registration: Non-partisan

Occupation(s): Retired Anchorage police officer, current small business owner

Professional, community and service organizations: Assembly member; Scenic Foothills Community Council community patrol officer; coordinator Citizen Police Academy; former board member of Muldoon Community Center, the Fraternal Order of the Alaska State Troopers, the National Citizen Police Academy Association (member) and the Alaska State Hockey Association; member NAACP, NRA, IACP, NARF

Spouse's name and occupation: Valerie, Federal Aviation Administration

Children: 2 children ages 32 and 30, and 2 grandchildren ages 7 and 5

Website: paulhoneman.com

Why running: To help deliver good government in a nonpartisan manner.

DISTRICT 6: SEAT J SOUTH Anchorage

Jennifer Johnston

Age: 58

Party registration: Republican

Occupation(s): Independent contractor and Assembly member 2007-now

Professional, community and service organizations: Chair of the Chugach Advisory Committee and Anchorage Center for Families; president of Hillside East Community Council; Athena Society; Tocqueville Society; avalanche awareness instructor; hunting education instruction; professional ski instructor

Spouse's name and occupation: Allan R. Johnston, retired manager of an investment firm; now he is devoting his time to being a chief encouragement officer for inventors and entrepreneurs.

Children: 35, 33, and 30

Website: johnstonforassembly.com

Facebook: Jennifer Johnston for Assembly

Why running: To provide my institutional knowledge for the implementation of Title 21 and to continue building a sustainable municipal budget.

Anchorage

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