Municipal Manager Bill Falsey joins race for Anchorage mayor

Anchorage Municipal Manager Bill Falsey announced today that he’s launched a campaign to run for mayor in 2021.

Falsey, who played a key role in responding to the 2018 earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic, joins an already-crowded field of mayoral hopefuls. Falsey worked as the municipal attorney from 2015 to 2017, when he was promoted to municipal manager, the city’s top administrator. Falsey will reportedly stay on the job with the municipality during the campaign.

“Anchorage is facing unprecedented challenges that will be with us for some time—but with committed leadership, we can emerge from this stronger than we began,” said Bill. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to help my hometown through crises ranging from earthquakes to pandemics, and to deliver real public-safety, economic-development and quality-of-life improvements for the community. I’m grateful for the support of neighbors, friends, and family who have appreciated my service and encouraged me to take this next step.”

His website, falseyformayor.com, outlines a platform of expanding Pre-K and early childhood education, expanded affordable housing, investing in outdoor recreation and a stronger partnership with local universities.

The election is set for April 7, 2020 and the filing doesn’t open until Jan. 15, 2021, but the race has already drawn a big field that includes Assemblyman Forrest Dunbar, former legislator and assemblyman Eric Croft, former assemblyman Bill Evans and George Martinez, who worked as special assistant to Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.

Why it matters

The progressive side of the race is already quite packed.

Dunbar, who announced his intention to run for assembly in October 2019, leads the pack in terms of fundraising at $48,325.96 according to year-start reports filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission in February.