South Anchorage politics just got more interesting: Joe Riggs yesterday filed a letter of intent to run for the House District 26 seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Birch, as Birch makes a bid for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Kevin Meyer.
Earlier this month, Al Fogle announced he’s running for that seat, which puts two Republicans into a primary battle for a seat that will almost certainly go to a Republican. One year ago, Birch won the general election against Democrat David Gillespie — 5,141 to 2,873.
Riggs ran for Anchorage Assembly in 2016, but pulled out after his company had to downsize due to Obamacare. He was in the medical equipment and consulting business and needed to focus on landing on his feet. Riggs served on the city’s budget advisory committee. Riggs is a climber, kayaker and wind-surfer.
Fogle ran for the South Anchorage Assembly seat in 2017, but lost to left-leaning Suzanne LaFrance. He served in the Iraq War in the U.S. Army and has worked as a financial consultant. Fogle was president of the Alaska Association of Health Underwriters. He loves to fish and hike.