Friday Anchorage election update: Results unchanged, Taylor concedes to Dunbar

Preliminary municipal election results on Friday showed no changes after about 400 more votes were counted, with the Assembly majority retaining its veto power over Mayor Dave Bronson and the $111 million school bond failing.

While Assemblyman John Weddleton conceded to Randy Sulte in the South Anchorage race last week, Assembly incumbents Meg Zaletel, Kameron Perez-Verdia and Forrest Dunbar are all winning back seats over Bronson-supported challengers.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Stephanie Taylor, Dunbar’s strongest opponent for the East Anchorage seat, said she had called to congratulate him on his reelection. Taylor had 42% of the vote in Friday’s results.

“We worked very hard to bring home a victory for both you, and the city of Anchorage; but it was not to be,” Taylor said in the post. “As I process this disappointment, I prepare for the next opportunity to serve.”

Kevin Cross won the Eagle River/Chugiak Assembly seat being vacated by member Crystal Kennedy, who did not run for reelection this year, with 62% of the vote.

School board incumbents Margo Bellamy and Kelly Lessens are retaining their seats.

Two bond propositions are failing, including the school bond, with 51% voting against it.

[The Anchorage school bond failed. What happened?]

Friday’s results accounted for 30% of registered voters, with 70,549 votes counted. One more round of preliminary results will be posted Tuesday, after Monday’s public session of canvass, according to the city clerk.

Mail-in ballots will continue to be received and counted until the public session of canvass, when challenged ballots will be adjudicated. The exception is military and overseas ballots, which will be accepted and counted until noon on April 26, the day results are certified.