By SUZANNE DOWNING
Sept. 5, 2026 – Longtime Anchorage Assemblyman Dick Traini, one of the most familiar and enduring figures in Anchorage municipal government, has died following a stroke several months ago.
Traini was being cared for in a nursing home at the time of his death. He and his wife, Sandy, had moved to the Mat-Su Borough in recent years.
His life exemplified servant leadership and his Anchorage service spanned the two centuries. Traini served a combined 19 years on the Anchorage Assembly between his first election in 1991 and the expiration of his final term in 2019. Over that long municipal career, his colleagues repeatedly selected him to lead the body.
He was elected Assembly chair five times and held the leadership position for approximately 12 years. His periods as chair included 1993 to 1995, 2001 to 2005, 2010 to 2011 and 2014 to 2018.
“I’m not going to not do something because I’m afraid of being unelected. I’ll do it and if I’m not reelected, it’s OK,” he said, as told along to The Alaska Story by his wife Sandy. The two were married right out of high school at the age of 18 and remained married nearly 59 years. All of the children were raised in Alaska.
Dick Traini and Sandy moved to Anchorage more than five decades ago while he was serving in the US Air Force. They settled in the Campbell Park area, where Traini became deeply involved in neighborhood affairs and served for eight years as president of the Campbell Park Community Council.
He later said becoming a father helped drive his decision to seek public office because he felt responsible for making Anchorage a better place for his children. He had eight children.
Traini earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He also received professional certification in urban planning.
In a 2021 interview, Traini calculated his time on the Assembly with characteristic precision: “Nineteen years, six months, a few odd days.”
His municipal interests extended beyond Anchorage. In 2006, Traini became the first Alaskan to serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors. He later served on the organization’s Advisory Council.
During his Assembly tenure, Traini served as a liaison to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and to military and veterans organizations. He also served as an alternate representative to the Alaska Municipal League, the National League of Cities and the University of Alaska Anchorage-Alaska Pacific University partnership.
Traini represented Midtown Anchorage for much of his career, but his lengthy service gave him a citywide profile. He remained an observer of Anchorage government after leaving office and continued to be sought out for his perspective on municipal politics.
Anchorage television station KTUU described him in 2021 as the Assembly’s longest-serving member and a man who had witnessed much of the city’s recent history “from the front row.” He worked with Mayor Mark Begich, Assemblyman Chris Constant, but was also a strong supporter of Congressman Nick Begich. He said respected Mayor Tom Fink, because although he didn’t always agree with Fink, he always told Traini the truth.
Away from municipal government, Traini was devoted to his large family. His official biography noted that one of his favorite activities was spending time with — and “spoiling” — his more than 20 grandchildren.
Here is the information we have received about service and celebration of life for Dick Traini:
Sept. 19, 2026 at 4 pm
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
9475 E Bogard Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
The service will start at 4 pm in the chapel. The celebration of life will immediately follow in the gym.
10 thoughts on “Passing: Dick Traini, longest serving Anchorage Assembly member”
RIP. A kind account of the man. To be entirely honest, I did not like him. I worked directly with him on a few issues. I am a bit surprised at his comments about Mayor Fink; you would not have concluded that at the time. Generally speaking, longevity should not necessarily be equated with excellence.
As an Anchorage assembly member and the damage he did to Anchorage, this guy was worthless. He wouldn’t have mourned your passing.
He those Republicans leaving Anchorage because they saw it declining don’t even mourn with us Still here in Anchorage who must endure the poor leadership choices and picks increasing the suffering. I mean people here are Literally CRYING, Screaming, Cursing in the streets because life in Anchorage is so miserable. Those Matsu Republicans who left at the sight of decline here don’t just do nothing to help the vulnerable and neglected and exploited here on Anchorage they publicly mock those for having to live in Anchorage under the Marxist/Leftist Democrats and Republicans who rises up under the leaders during Trainis, Fink’s, Knowles, Begich’s time at the forefront. And our stupid Luke warm church groups aren’t even doing anything meaningful.
A class act. RIP Mr Traini
He and his colleagues strived to make Anchorage better for raising families and for kids during his and his colleagues ruling this community 19 years. But today’s Anchorage is not the place to raise a healthy family nor is there anything for the youth to do here. Plus he and his wife didn’t even stay here. Like many they relocated north when Anchorage life was worsening like many Republicans did when they saw Anchorage declining. They had the means to leave to continue their comfortable life but left us to endure the struggles from their’s and their ruling collegues bad policies and bad decisions.
And furthermore religion and church buildings don’t save you. All a religion does is give one who is lonely the feeling they belong somewhere and they are loved. But God does not reside in building walls, he resides in us. he doesn’t need a temple and Revelations does confirm there will be No Temples in Heaven because the Lord IS the temple. That means there Are No Religions as man created in heaven!
I’ll remember Traini for breaking the 3-term on the Assembly precedent (or law) and for universal ID checks for purchasing alcohol. Cheers –
RIP Dick. We know we had our differences but between us we had the strength to agree to disagree and move on for the hopes of a better solution. Our FATHER love you my friend.
Ed Lytle
For Traini’s heroic efforts to resurrect red-light cameras and to force mail-in voting on unsuspectiing residents
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…we’ll keep flags at full staff.
Rest in Peace, Old Friend. Politically amorphous, Dick may possibly be the strongest advocate for second amendment rights ever to serve in Anchorage politics. May God look kindly upon the repose of your soul.
I see a lot of negative comments about Dick Traini’s tenure in office. Having been there, felt he did a good job at balancing all the politics. Having been his first Campaign Manager, it was always a struggle to accommodate such diverse political concerns. Dick did his best and I believe helped his and my community. You can always say negative things about an individual- how about looking at the positives.