Breaking: Mayor Pierce wins endorsement of both area Republican women clubs

GOP WOMEN EVEN PASS OVER THEIR PAST CLUB PRESIDENT

At the campaign kickoff for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce on Saturday, both Republican women’s groups on the Kenai Peninsula brought in big endorsements for the incumbent mayor.

Kenai Peninsula Republican Women of Alaska and the Republican Women of the Kenai endorsed Pierce over another Republican, Linda Hutchings, who is also running for borough mayor.

The position of mayor is nonpartisan, but the support from both conservative women’s groups comes as a bit of a surprise, since Hutchings is the past president of one of the women’s groups — the Kenai Peninsula Republican Women’s Club.

Hutchings ran for mayor in 2017 and some voters felt her campaign launched a vicious personal attack against Pierce’s family. It was considered one of the nastiest attacks in local politics seen in Alaska in years. Hutchings is also a well-known ally of Rep. Gary Knopp, who is viewed by some Peninsula Republicans as a traitor, after he helped form up a coup against the House Republican leadership and installed Democrats in control.

The women from Hutchings’ old club voted unanimously to not endorse Hutchings this time around.

“The Kenai Peninsula Republican Women’s Club enthusiastically endorses Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce for reelection. Today at his campaign kick-off event we donated $500 to his campaign. We believe he is the conservative candidate who has kept his promises as our mayor and he has earned our support,” the group announced on Facebook.

At his kickoff event, several local lawmakers and political figures praised Pierce, including Rep. Sarah Vance, Rep. Ben Carpenter, Sen. Peter A. Micciche, House candidates Ron Gillham and James Baisden, Wayne Ogle and Tuckerman Babcock, former chair of the Alaska Republican Party, who received a standing ovation. Incoming Alaska Republican Party National Committeeman Mike Tauriainen, who represents Alaska on the Republican National Committee, gave the opening prayer.

The other club, the Republican Women of Kenai, club endorsed Pierce in 2017.

Close to 75 people attended the event at The Catch Restaurant in Soldotna, which was emceed by John Quick, who is Pierce’s former chief of staff.

The official candidate filing period is Aug. 3-17 for the election, which will be held Oct. 6. More election information is at this link.