Seward certifies final election results

The newly-elected city council members and Mayor Sue McClure were sworn in during Monday’s regular council meeting.

By Delcenia Cosman • October 15, 2025 8:30 am
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A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Following the closely-contested Seward City Council race last Tuesday, Oct. 7, the final certified results show that Michael Calhoon has beat out early victor Randy Wells by five votes.

Preliminary results on Election Day saw incumbent Mayor Sue McClure reelected to her office and candidate Lori Draper elected to the city council. Incumbent Kevin Finch was ousted from the council, while Randy Wells held onto his seat with one vote more than Calhoon.

The final results, which include absentee, questioned and special needs ballots voted, were counted and reviewed by the City Canvass Board on Friday, Oct. 10 and then brought to the council for certification during Monday’s regular meeting. According to the canvass board’s report, there were 77 absentee-in-person ballots, four absentee-by-mail ballots, one questioned ballot and nine special needs ballots received, totalling 91 ballots.

The board rejected two ballots — one absentee-in-person ballot and the one questioned ballot — due to the voter not being registered in Seward. As such, 89 ballots were counted towards the final election results out of the 91 received.

McClure maintained her solid lead in the mayor’s race with 331 total votes. Challenger Tim McDonald received 30 total votes and Leighton Radner had 34. There were also two write-ins.

Lori Draper received 274 total votes, maintaining her hold on one of the available city council seats. Calhoon received 147 total votes, beating out Wells’ 142 votes. Finch received 79 votes according to the final results, while Samantha LePera had 68 and James Taylor had 44. There was also one write-in.

According to the canvass board’s report, this year’s municipal election in Seward saw a 23% voter turnout. A total of 1,763 people were registered to vote in the Seward precinct, and 408 total ballots were voted, with 406 ballots counted following the rejection of two ballots.

Find the 2025 final Seward election results in full by visiting the City Council webpage www.cityofseward.us, in a laydown document attached to the Oct. 13 meeting packet.

Find the Oct. 13 meeting recording in full on the City of Seward YouTube channel, @cityofseward7729.

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