This afternoon, Sen. Kevin Meyer sent out a press release that told the media exactly where he’ll be at 10 a.m. on Thursday: The Division of Elections Office on Gambell Street. And it has something to do with filing for statewide office.
Among political observers, it’s no surprise that what he’ll be doing is filing for the lieutenant governor race for 2018.
Meyer has served as chair of Finance, was Senate Majority leader, Senate President, and is now chair of Rules. He’s been traveling the state talking with Alaskans about the future — his future, to be specific. But also about the political landscape, and the ways that a lieutenant governor can serve.
Meyer was first elected to the senate chamber in 2008. Meyer also served in the House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, the Anchorage Assembly from 1993 to 2000, and was on his community council.
Meyer has a B.S. in business administration from the University of Nebraska, an M.P.A. from University of New Mexico, and an M.B.A. from Alaska Pacific University.
He’ll be the third Republican to file for the slot, after Sen. Gary Stevens of Kodiak and former House member Lynn Gattis of Wasilla.
BART LEBON RUNS FOR HOUSE
A kick-off event for Bart LeBon of Fairbanks drew more than 50 people in Fairbanks as the former bank executive has filed for the seat now occupied by Rep. Scott Kawasaki, who is challenging Sen. Pete Kelly for his senate seat.
LeBon retired from Mt. McKinley Bank earlier this year, where he was executive vice president.
Among those spotted at the kickoff were former Sen. Steve Frank; former Sen. Gary Wilken; former FNSB borough Assemblyman Rick Solie; Alaska Republican Party National Committeewoman Cynthia and Ken Henry; Rep. Steve Thompson; and former city Mayor and current city Councilman Jerry Cleworth.
LeBon was a two-year member of the men’s basketball team at UAF. In his first year on campus, LeBon helped the UAF men’s basketball team to its first postseason tournament championship, as the Nanooks captured the 1973 NAIA District I Championship.
He is the founder of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational, which is a women’s basketball tournament that has been played every year since 2001, and also served as chairman of the now-defunct Top of the World Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Bart LeBon Humanitarian Award, which annually goes to a UAF student-athlete who lends a hand to the community and spends numerous hours volunteering, was named after him.
LeBon is running to represent District 1, which includes neighborhoods within the city limits of Fairbanks.