Republican Jeremy Bynum, who challenged Democrat-caucusing Rep. Dan Ortiz in 2022 is looking for a rematch in 2024.
Bynum, a member of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly, got 47.4% of the vote the first time he ran against Ortiz, who won with 52.6% in 2022.
Ortiz, a retired teacher, won his first term in 2014 election and has held off challengers ever since. He has been a loyal member of the House Democrat caucus, an ironic outcome for conservative Ketchikan, which voted 54.7% for Donald Trump for president in 2020.
But although Ortiz has incumbency and a history of winning five House races in a row, Bynum says he has given this a lot of thought, and he has one House race under his belt, as well as having won a seat on the Assembly.
“With much thought and consideration, I am excited to announce my decision to run once again for the Alaska State House. This decision comes with an overwhelming wave of support from community members, for which I am deeply grateful. I am eager to engage in meaningful conversations about our future. Running for District 1 is not just a campaign for me; it’s an opportunity to connect, discuss, and address the vital issues that impact us all. I am grateful for this chance to represent and serve in a different capacity, and I look forward to the journey ahead with optimism and determination,” Bynum said.
