Business owner and former borough assembly member Doug Olerud is running for Mayor in this October’s municipal election.
Olerud owns and manages the Alaska Sport Shop and served on the former city council and assembly for nine years.
He said recent challenges facing the borough due to the pandemic, along with public support, motivated him to seek office.
“I’ve had a lot of people from a pretty broad spectrum tell me they’d appreciate it if I did run,” Olerud said. “After a lot of consideration and discussion with friends and family, and with the things that are coming in front of the borough over the next couple years, I think I have something to offer the community.”
Olerud said he’s considered running for office in recent years, but his status as a business owner made him hesitant to run.
“Sometimes you have to make a smaller sacrifice for a greater good I guess,” Olerud said. “There’s always going to be that chance people are going to hold decisions against you as a business owner. Hopefully there’s enough people that appreciate the effort that it doesn’t become an issue.”
Mayor Jan Hill is running for re-election. As of Wednesday, no one has filed for any of the four open assembly seats. Incumbent Brian Clay filed for a seat on the school board.
The filing deadline is Aug. 20. Assembly members Zephyr Sincerny and Stephanie Scott both said they will not seek reelection. Assembly member Brenda Jospehson said she will seek reelection and member Jerry Lapp said last week he is undecided.