James Baisden, a conservative member of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, announced his resignation, effective Oct. 19—just after the next borough election. His timing ensures that his seat representing the Kalifornsky district will appear on the Oct. 7 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to choose his replacement rather than leaving it to an appointment by the Assembly.
Baisden, who previously served as chief of staff to former Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and before that was chief of emergency services, was elected to the Assembly last year. He said increased personal commitments are prompting his early departure.
“I’ve enjoyed hanging out with everybody here,” Baisden told fellow Assembly members at their regular Tuesday meeting, where they accepted his resignation letter. “Yeah, I’ve got some things that I’ve got to do. I didn’t think it would happen as soon.” He said his family life has change “a little bit” but did not go into detail.
The Kalifornsky district seat covers the area between Kenai and Soldotna.
Baiden’s departure adds to an already packed municipal election, in which voters will now select candidates for five Assembly seats instead of the usual three. The seat representing Sterling and Funny River, currently vacant, will also be on the ballot.
The filing period for candidates for this seat opens Aug. 1, giving interested residents a chance to get on the ballot before the Oct. 7 election.