By SUZANNE DOWNING
June 18, 2026 – While much of Alaska’s political attention is fixed on next year’s races for governor, Congress, US Senate, and the Legislature, another major election is already getting underway — the race for mayor of Anchorage.
Former state Sen. Natasha von Imhof officially launches her mayoral campaign on Thursday evening with a fundraiser and campaign kickoff event at Bleu Sage Noshery in Anchorage. The event runs from 5 to 7 pm and features a lengthy list of co-hosts that’s a who’s who of Anchorage’s business and conservative political community.
The Anchorage mayor’s race may not receive the same statewide attention as a gubernatorial contest, but the office holds enormous influence. Nearly 40% of Alaska’s population lives in the Municipality of Anchorage, making it by far the state’s largest city. Anchorage serves as Alaska’s transportation hub, business center, and, in many respects, an extension of state government, with more federal and state employees working there than anywhere else in the state.
The mayor and the 12-member Anchorage Assembly oversee everything from public safety and homelessness policy to zoning, housing, transportation, permitting, and municipal spending. Decisions made at City Hall often ripple throughout the state economy.
Von Imhof, who represented Anchorage in the Alaska Senate from 2017 through 2025, is positioning her campaign around concerns that have dominated local politics for years: homelessness, lawlessness, housing affordability, economic growth, and education.
In a campaign announcement sent to supporters, she said Anchorage “can do better” and outlined a platform focused on tackling homelessness, restoring public safety, expanding housing opportunities, attracting investment and jobs, and helping improve the Anchorage School District.
“We can’t afford a city in managed decline anymore,” von Imhof wrote. “Anchorage can be the city people move to, not move away from.”
A lifelong Anchorage resident, von Imhof emphasized her roots in the city and noted that her children and grandchildren have chosen to remain in Alaska and raise their families there.
The launch event’s co-host committee demonstrates substantial support from established Anchorage civic and business leaders. Among those listed are former Alaska Republican Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich, former legislator Ralph Samuels, Alaska Alliance Executive Director Rebecca Logan, former legislator Larry Baker, business leaderHenry Penny, Bryan Schroder, and dozens of other well-known figures from the city’s political and business communities.
The April 6, 2027 municipal election is still months away, but von Imhof’s announcement signals that the race for leadership of Alaska’s largest city is beginning now. Additional candidates are expected to emerge in the coming months, with incumbent Mayor Suzanne LaFrance already registered as a candidate for reelection.
April 7, 2027 is the regular election cycle for mayor, Assembly, school board and ballot propositions. Candidate formal filing with the city clerk starts in January, 2027
9 thoughts on “Anchorage mayor’s race begins taking shape as Natasha von Imhof launches campaign”
Giessel’s evil twin, No Thank You!
She’d not be any better than Lafrance
Doesn’t she remember how she was as a State Senator
She from the same crowd of government dependent leaders we have leading the state
Continuing electing government dependent leaders will not move Anchorage nor Alaska forward
I would not vote for the Von Imnof as alternative nor would I vote for Lafrance, I’d leave those ovals blank
It’s just like Solomon’s proverb “I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves” the meaning, “ The author (traditionally King Solomon) is pointing out the chaos that ensues when leadership is corrupted or foolishness is rewarded. It illustrates a world that has been turned upside down, where people with proven character are sidelined while the incompetent and unrefined seize power.”
Republican leaders like Randy Ruedich need replacing. Stop listening to Republicans who brought low the AK Republican party where it sit today
Be careful throwing brown stuff, Tina, as you might have to wash some clothes and take a shower. Randy has forgotten more about elections than you or I will ever know. A better choice would be to compare the Republican Party under Randy with what it is today and reverse whatever changed over that time. Cheers –
That’s an AWFL. Hard pass.
We can do a lot worse than Natasha. She understands the numbers and is willing to listen. Over the years, my only disagreement with her was over the PFD. As that is not an issue in this election, why not go for it.
I think the two most important questions for her would be how to unwind the lockstep democrat control of the Anchorage Assembly and how to shut down the Homeless Industrial Complex currently trashing the lives of some 4,900 of our drug-using neighbors? I would also reverse the re-zoning push to destroy property values in the suburbs (shoving high density housing Muni-wide). Cheers –
Besides, if she gets elected we can (maybe) eliminate the cost of Mayoral travel if she uses her personal jet. Either that, or, unfortunately, the cost may go way up if we reimburse her for fuel costs.
I do see a strong potential for conflict among the interests of the potential Mayor, her political campaign and the activities of the Rasmuson Foundation.
Her candidacy brings a new, different and exciting meaning to the phrase “entitlement state.”
Pattern recognition. Way too many people in various offices that just shouldn’t be there and suffer from emotional incontinence