James Baisden, who represents Kalifornsky on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, on Tuesday announced his plans to resign from his seat. Baisden will continue to serve through Oct. 19, while his seat will be included in this year’s election.
The Kalifornsky seat on the assembly represents a broad area bordered by Kenai to the north and Soldotna to the south, stretching from Cook Inlet east to Sport Lake.
Baisden won an unopposed election to the seat in November and previously has served on the Kenai City Council and as chief of Nikiski Fire Service Area. According to his resignation letter, “increased personal commitments” will prevent Baisden from “fulfilling the responsibilities of this role.” He notes that, while he will continue in his seat for a few more months, resigning now means the vacancy can be noticed for election this year without requiring someone be appointed to fill the seat.
Whoever wins election to the Kalifornsky seat will serve the remainder of Baisden’s term, through October 2027.
“My life’s changing a little bit,” Baisden said Tuesday. “I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
A resolution approved Tuesday by the assembly says that the borough clerk will accept declarations of candidacy during the standard filing period, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, and the seat will be included in the borough’s regular election on Oct. 7. The resolution also says that the assembly commends Baisden for “his many years of public service.”
The resignation letter and borough resolution can be found at kpb.legistar.com.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
