Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Saralyn Tabachnick has announced she is running for mayor of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AWARE executive director announces run for mayor

The executive director of the Juneau domestic violence shelter, Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), is running for mayor.

Saralyn Tabachnick made the announcement via an emailed statement to local media outlets Thursday morning.

She said her decades-long experience handling public safety and social justice initiatives has given her a vision on how a successful community can run.

“I see how different agencies and systems can work together to help bring peace to families when there’s a path forward and a common goal,” she said in the prepared statement. “I’m excited to begin using my talents and teambuilding skills as Juneau’s Mayor to address the challenges the City and Borough faces — working with others, inside and outside of government, to help move our community forward to greater unity, health and vibrancy.”

Current Mayor Ken Koelsch, who was elected in 2016 after the death of Greg Fisk, is up for re-election. Koelsch has not officially said whether he is seeking re-election. Tabachnick is the first candidate to file for the mayoral election.

This October, Juneau voters will elect a mayor, two Assembly members and three School Board members. The official filing period to run for CBJ mayor and Assembly opens Aug. 3 and closes Aug. 13. The city municipal election is Oct. 2.

In her release, Tabachnick, a 30-year Juneau resident, said the only way to advance in Juneau as the capital city is to no longer look at the area as a distant place, separated from others.

“We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth,” Tabachnick said. “In a technological era that is opening up new opportunities every day, it is no longer relevant to think of our city as remote or isolated. Technology can positively affect our economy.”

Tabachnick said she believes achieving these goals can happen by building a stronger sense of local unity.

“We may not all share the same history on this land, but we share the same future,” Tabachnick said. “I believe that, under a new kind of leadership, we can work together to build a sustainable economy strong enough to meet the needs of all residents. As one unified community, there will be no limit to what we can accomplish.”

In a phone interview with the Empire Thursday, Tabchnick said become a unified community starts by giving everyone a voice.

“It is about wanting to have a city where everyone has a seat at the table and where all voices are welcome and included,” Tabachnick said. “It is sharing ideas and working with others in government and nongovernmnet agencies.

On the issue of the Juneau Access, Tabachnick said it does fall into her unity plan.

“I am on the middle of the road on the Juneau Access Road,” Tabachnick said. “I think there are cases for it and against it. I think it divides people and divides the community and I really want to focus on things that unite us.”

She also said bringing more people into Juneau and keeping those who already live here are also her goals. Tabachnick said the quality of life people can have in Juneau could draw more people.

“I think we have a lot to offer,” Tabachnick said. “We need to invite and encourage more people to move to Juneau.”


• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.


More in News

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of Sept. 7

Here’s what to expect this week.

Workers at the Alaska Division of Elections’ State Review Board consider ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the division’s headquarters in Juneau. At background is the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
After Alaska’s primary election, here’s how the state’s legislative races are shaping up

Senate’s bipartisan coalition appears likely to continue, but control of the state House is a tossup.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (left) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on issues involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is now performing at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Perseverance’s ‘Cold Case’ tops NYT’s list of ‘15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall’

Award-winning play about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons showing in Juneau until Sept. 22.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
UPDATE: Bodycam footage of Steven Kissack shooting, results of state investigation scheduled for release Tuesday

Videos, originally scheduled for Friday release, delayed until JPD gets state report, police chief says.

Workers construct a greenhouse behind the Edward K. Thomas building during the summer of 2021. The greenhouse is part of a food sovereignty project by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, which this week received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to establish or expand composting operations in five Southast Alaska communities including Juneau. (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska photo)
Tlingit and Haida gets $15M EPA grant for composting operations in five Southeast Alaska communities

Funds will establish or expand programs in Juneau, Wrangell, Hoonah, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, speaks during a rally on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities at the Alaska State Capitol on March 1, 2023.
Bills by Juneau legislator adding official Indigenous state languages, upgrading dock safety become law

Safety bill by Rep. Story also contains provision by Sen. Kiehl expanding disaster aid eligibility.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (foreground) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on a story involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is scheduled to make its stage debut Friday at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Play revealing unseen struggles of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons debuts at Perseverance Theatre

“Cold Case” features story of rural Iñupiaq woman trying to recover aunt’s body from Anchorage.

James Montiver holds Cassie, and William Montiver holds Alani behind them, members of the Ketchikan Fire Department that helped rescue the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Christopher Mullen / Ketchikan Daily News)
Dogs saved after seven days in Ketchikan landslide

Ketchikan Fire Department firefighters with heroic efforts Sunday brought joy and some… Continue reading

Most Read