The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Clerk’s Office has released the final, certified list of candidates for the Nov. 4 regular borough election, and, standing out from other Alaskan boroughs, Mat-Su designates candidates with a political affiliation on the ballot, whether registered to a party or noting “nonpartisan” or “undeclared.”
Certified Candidates by Office
Assembly District 1 (Palmer area):
- Michelle Heun — Undeclared (Certified: August 19, 2025)
- Michael Bowles — Republican (Certified: August 18, 2025)
Assembly District 2 (Palmer area):
- Dana Raffaniello — Undeclared (Certified: August 20, 2025)
- Stephanie Nowers — Nonpartisan (Certified: August 26, 2025)
Assembly District 4 (Wasilla area):
- Maxwell H. Sumner — Republican (Certified: August 22, 2025)
School Board District 2: Kendal W. Kruse — Republican, Gage D. Saxton — Nonpartisan (Certified: August 29, 2025)
School Board District 5:
- Brooks Pitcher — Republican (Certified: August 25, 2025)
School Board District 7:
- Lorie A. Colee — Republican (Certified: August 25, 2025)
Under borough code, candidates may designate a political affiliation on the ballot if they are registered with a party or group, or may choose to appear as nonpartisan or undeclared. In the absence of any designation, “undeclared” is assigned by default.
Assembly races in Districts 1 and 2 feature direct contests between those with (District 1) and without party labels (District 2) in a region that traditionally leans Republican.
