Harry Brower, a member of one of Utqiaġvik's leading families, will keep his seat as mayor of the North Slope Borough, according to unofficial results of a runoff election Tuesday.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/adn/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/01074042/Harry-Brower-3x2.jpg)
Brower, brother-in-law of recalled borough mayor Charlotte Brower, soundly beat the candidate who came in second in the October borough election, his nephew Frederick Brower. This will be the first full term for Harry Brower after a special election in 2016 to replace the ousted Charlotte, who was criticized for borough spending that benefited family members.
More than 60 percent of the voters Tuesday chose Harry Brower; just under 40 percent picked Frederick Brower, the borough's risk manager. In the October election, with six candidates splitting the vote, the incumbent came in just under the 40 percent bar, leading to the runoff.
Support for Harry Brower was particularly strong in the region's villages but was close in the Barrow voting precinct, where the unofficial tally was 151 to 142.
Also on Tuesday, a newcomer was elected to the borough assembly. With almost 59 percent of the vote, Josiah Patkotak beat Mary Patkotak, according to unofficial results.
The borough canvass board is scheduled to meet Tuesday to certify the election.