Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Clarion office in Kenai, Alaska, on Sept. 25, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Clarion office in Kenai, Alaska, on Sept. 25, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor joins race for governor

The borough mayor notified local officials in an email Thursday

KENAI — Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce has filed to run for governor, Aaron Rhoades, Pierce’s chief of staff, confirmed via text message Thursday.

Brenda Ahlberg, the emergency manager for the borough, also confirmed via text message that she and other borough officials received an email from Rhoades earlier on Thursday, announcing Pierce’s run.

A screenshot of the email was posted on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, and Rhoades confirmed it was legitimate.

“I sent it to our leadership as a professional courtesy, to ensure we keep trust high and that they hear from the Mayor first on matters of importance like this,” Rhoades said via text message.

Ahlberg was one of 10 borough employees to receive the email announcement.

“Mayor Pierce has filed to run for the Governor of the State of Alaska today,” the email from Rhoades states. “We wanted to make sure you heard this directly from a reliable source and as a courtesy for your valued service and dedication.”

Pierce did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

As of Thursday evening, Pierce was not listed as a political candidate on the Alaska Public Offices Commission website.

Incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy, former state legislator Les Gara, Alaska House Rep. Christopher Kurka, Libertarian candidate William Toien, Republican Bruce Walden and former Gov. Bill Walker have also announced runs for the governor’s seat.

Reporter Ashlyn O’Hara contributed to this story. Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

A butter clam. Butter clams are found from the Aleutian Islands to the California coast. They are known to retain algal toxins longer than other species of shellfish. (Photo provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Among butter clams, which pose toxin dangers to Alaska harvesters, size matters, study indicates

Higher concentrations found in bigger specimens, UAS researchers find of clams on beaches near Juneau.

Most Read