Election Money Flow in Anchorage: A Close Race for City Council Seats

The upcoming municipal election will decide half of Anchorage’s city council. Campaign finance filings show that most races are tightly contested in terms of money raised, with a few exceptions. In the past, candidates have waited until voters receive their mail ballots in March to start spending heavily. This year, many challengers have stayed quiet until now, but some incumbents and new contenders are already pouring funds into their campaigns. District 1 is open because the long‑time chair cannot run again. Two candidates, Sydney Scout and Justin Milette, have raised over $30, 000 each and spent the majority of it on professional services, ads on social media, and small events. Scout’s donors include labor unions and local politicians, while Milette’s contributions come from business leaders and former officials. In District 2, the seat is open after Assembly member Scott Myers steps down. Donald Handeland has raised more than $40, 000, mostly from small donors and a few prominent conservatives. He is spending heavily on digital ads and shared fundraising events that oppose a proposed city sales tax. His opponent, Kyle Walker, has raised only $8, 000 and relies on union PAC money for a modest campaign. District 3 is a rematch between Vice Chair Anna Brawley and Brian Flynn. Both have significant cash on hand, with Flynn’s fundraising exceeding Brawley’s but his spending already surpassing hers. They are hiring the same political consultants and buying media, but Brawley keeps a larger reserve.District 4 sees incumbent Felix Rivera leaving the council. Dave Donley, a former legislator, has raised almost $40, 000 and spent most of it on consulting and conservative blogs. Janice Park, a Democrat with prior campaign experience, has raised $42, 000 and spent less than half on ads and strategy services. In District 5, incumbent George Martinez faces Cody Anderson, a retired Air Force officer and pastor. Martinez’s $11, 000 comes from individual donors and unions; Anderson raises nearly $46, 000, largely from church employees and a local women’s club. Their spending differs: Martinez spends modestly on travel, while Anderson hires a campaign manager and social media services. District 6 features incumbent Zac Johnson against businessman Bruce Vergason and environmental scientist Janelle Sharp. Johnson’s $33, 000 comes from labor groups; Vergason raises $44, 000 with business donors and spends on data firms and sign printing. Sharp’s campaign is small, with a few thousand dollars in cash and a focus on advisory services. Overall, the money reports suggest that while many candidates are building strong financial positions, the actual spending patterns vary widely. The final outcome will depend on how well each candidate converts funds into voter support before ballots are mailed in March.