Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly election

On Tuesday, Oct. 5, elections will be held for Homer City Council, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly District 9 and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education District 8. To help inform voters, the Homer News will introduce the candidates, show their answers to a group of questions and give them an opportunity to make their pitch on why you should elect them. This week, we introduce the candidates, reprinting the statements they provided to the borough and the city.

Absentee in person voting begins Sept. 20 at the Homer City Clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Applications for voting by mail must be received by Sept. 28. To apply for an absentee ballot, visit www.elections.alaska.gov.

Election Day is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Borough Assembly, District 9

With Assembly member Willy Dunne no longer able to run for re-election because of term limits, the District 9 seat is up for grabs. That area generally covers the district around the city of Homer and Kachemak City, including Anchor Point, Diamond Ridge, Fritz Creek, Fox River, Seldovia, Nanwalek and Port Graham. The candidates are Ashton Callahan, Dawson Slaughter and Mike Tupper.

Ashton Callahan

Residence Address: 54169 Scott Avenue, Homer

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3090, Homer, AK 99603

Email Address: ashtoncallahan4borough@outlook.com

Contact Phone: (574) 527-9490

Occupation: Contractor

Spouse: Amanda

Children: Lyla, Lincoln, Charolette

Residency in Alaska: 15 years

Education: High School

Political & Governmental Experience: None

Business & Professional Positions: General Contractor, Commercial Fisherman

Service Organization Memberships: None

Candidate Statement: With the difficult times we have faced I will focus on prioritizing economic stability, decreasing property tax burden, strengthening property and business owner rights and provide solutions to incentivize residents of the borough to be stewards of our local resources and service programs the borough provides.

Hello, Homer has always had my heart. I was born in Homer, grew up in Indiana, and moved back at my first opportunity in 2006 with greater appreciation for life on the peninsula. My wife Amanda and I have purchased land in Fritz Creek to develop a homestead way of life as self sustainable as possible. We have since brought three children in to the world to raise with the same appreciation for stewarding the land and building community.

I’ve spent a decade as a commercial salmon fisherman and now am a full-time general contractor in the greater Homer area. It’s been an incredible way to serve the community and build lasting relationships supplying homes for the residents here. It has allowed me to develop, what I believe, very valuable assets as an assembly representative given the chance. Relational skills with a wide array of clients, management, and strict budget planning and adherence.

Dawson Slaughter

Residence Address: 34290 Eason Lane, Anchor Point

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1065, Anchor Point, AK 99556

Email Address: dawson4assembly@gmail.com

Contact Phone: (907) 299-4775

Occupation: Self Employed – Retail Store

Spouse: Krizzie

Children: Kadence

Residency in Alaska: Born and raised 30 years

Education: High School Grad Class 2009; some College

Political & Governmental Experience: Anchor Point Fire & EMS Service Board 2015-2020, 2015-2019 Board Member, 2019-2020 Chair; Western Emergency Service Area Board 2020-Present Chair; Anchor Point Advisory Planning Commission 2015-Present, Chair

Business & Professional Positions: Retail Store Owner, State of Alaska Firefighter 1 & EMT 1

Service Organization Memberships: Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce

Candidate Statement: Hello neighbors and friends of District 9. My name is Dawson Slaughter. I’m born and raised in Alaska. My wife Krizzie and I have a 5-year-old daughter, Kadence, that attends Chapman Elementary in Anchor Point. We know how important schools are to keep our community thriving. I’m a business owner, Notary Public for Alaska, and currently working on getting my license to become a real estate agent.

For the past 6 years I have been on the Anchor Point Fire and EMS (now Western Emergency) Service Board. I have been through budget processes with the borough and know the difficulties we face. I’m a conservative and a proud supporter of our Second Amendment rights. We are faced with hard times ahead due to this pandemic and we have to be careful going ahead. Let’s put aside political parties and put the people first. As a borough, we are responsible for providing key essential services. We need to have someone who understands that and will work for you, the people.

Come October, I ask for your support in allowing me the privilege to represent you and your ideas on the assembly. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Mike Tupper

Residence Address: 35220 North Fork Road, Anchor Point

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3061, Homer, AK 99603

Email Address: pvttupper@gmail.com

Contact Phone: (907) 435-7843

Occupation: Quality Support Specialist

Spouse: Robin Tupper

Children: Audrey Wallace, Evangeline Tupper, Drake Tupper, Davin Tupper

Residency in Alaska: 16 years

Education: BA Psychology University of Alaska Anchorage

Political & Governmental Experience:

Business & Professional Positions: South Peninsula Hospital, Sprout Family Services

Service Organization Memberships: National Association of Healthcare Quality, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Psi Chi The International Honor Society in Psychology

Candidate statement: I moved to the Southern Kenai Peninsula in 2005 after a tour in the Army. Working as a Medic in Iraq led me to a career in healthcare and a passion for community service. My family has enjoyed living in Anchor Point and being part of the greater community. The people here are a diverse, passionate group and I have had the honor of connecting and serving in many ways during our time here.

In 2014 I had the opportunity, through sponsorship by the Alaska Primary Care Association, to act as Project Director for Homer Medical Center being recognized as a Level II Patient Centered Medical Home. Over the years, I have volunteered as an EMT, acted in Pier One productions, and performed at open mic events. I have invested myself in collaborations like MAPP community meetings, Community Health Needs Assessment, Resiliency Coalition, and the Opioid Task Force. I am a presenter for the Alaska Children’s Trust curriculum – “History and Hope” and serve as the Board Vice President for Sprout family services.

I am running for District 9 Borough Assembly because I believe in a strong local community. That takes collaboration, empathy and trust. I hope to earn yours.