Borough taking applications to fill assembly seat vacated by Elam

After winning election in November to the Alaska House of Representatives, Bill Elam has resigned his position on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and applications are already being taken to fill his seat.

Elam, in a letter of resignation dated Dec. 20, expresses gratitude to other members of the assembly and the borough mayor, as well as pride in the accomplishments of his time with the body since winning unopposed election in 2020 to the assembly’s District 5 seat representing Sterling and Funny River.

“It was through the trust of our community and my service here on the Assembly that I was inspired to run for the Alaska State Legislature,” he writes. “I look forward to continuing to serve our community in this new role, and I am encouraged to see what opportunities the future holds for us and for our state.”

His resignation was effective at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday. The assembly accepted Elam’s resignation via a resolution passed by unanimous consent during their meeting that day. Several members offered well wishes to Elam during the meeting’s closing comments.

The filing period to fill the vacancy left behind Elam opened at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Declarations of candidacy can be filed with the borough clerk until 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. Applicants must be registered to vote and have lived in District 5, which includes Sterling, Funny River and some areas south of Soldotna and east of Kasilof.

A candidate will be appointed to the seat during the assembly’s Feb. 4 meeting, and serve until the next regular borough election in October.

Elam will join the 34th Alaska State Legislature when it convenes on Jan. 21.

A full recording of the assembly meeting can be found at kpb.legistar.com.

Application materials can be found on the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s “Meet the Assembly” webpage at kpb.us/assembly-clerk/meet-the-assembly.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.