Anchorage director of policy and programs Craig Campbell to leave Bronson administration

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s director of policy and programs, Craig Campbell, has resigned.

The mayor’s office announced Campbell’s resignation Friday. He first served in the administration as chief of staff and then as director of policy and programs. Campbell is also the vice chair of the Alaska Republican Party.

Campbell is returning to a position with Alaska Aerospace, where he served as president and CEO from 2012 to 2019, according to the mayor’s office. His resignation is effective Oct. 24, the mayor’s office said in a statement.

“Craig Campbell is the definition of what service and commitment to Alaska is,” Bronson said. “As the former Lt. Governor, Lt. General for the Alaska National Guard, Assembly Member, and a valued member of my team, I appreciate his dedication in working for the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska to make our state successful.”

Karl Raskiewicz, director of the Office of Management and Budget, will fill Campbell’s position in the mayor’s office. Marilyn Banzhaf, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, will step into the role of acting director.

Campbell worked as Bronson’s chief of staff when the mayor first took office but relinquished his position to current Chief of Staff Sami Graham in August when the Assembly rejected her confirmation as city librarian over concerns about her qualifications. After the Assembly’s vote, Bronson immediately countered by announcing Graham as his new chief of staff and later announced that Campbell would be director of policy and programs, a new role in the administration.

Campbell has long been active in conservative politics in Alaska and served as lieutenant governor under Republican Gov. Sean Parnell. He was also on the Anchorage Assembly for nine years beginning in 1986.

Campbell’s departure is the latest in a string of resignations and firings of executives in the Bronson administration.

This week, Development Services Director Bob Doehl also announced his resignation. The city’s mass care branch chief, Shawn Hays, says she was fired Wednesday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.