By Gretchen Wehmhoff

Assemblymember Sam Bass is Skagway’s new mayor, winning 23 votes over Assemblymember Orion Hanson in a three-way race with William Lockette, II.

Bass, who joined the assembly three years ago, was sworn in on Oct. 5.

“I am most humbled by being elected to serve as mayor of this amazing community. It’s a privilege that I will work each day to earn,” Bass said in his last meeting as a regular member of the assembly.

Vice mayor Orion Hanson offered “Losing tonight, it’s always humbling. But I’m a lifelong Atlanta Falcons fan. You got to suit back up and keep on trying. Someday we’ll win the Super Bowl.”

Bass received 244 votes (49%), Hanson 221 votes (44%) and William Lockette, II received 25 votes (5%).

In the assembly race for two seats, current member Alex Weddell carried 278 votes (55%) with newcomer Kate Kolodi finding 243 (48%).  Late entry write-in candidate Charles Doland followed closely in third place with 226 votes (45%). 

With Kolodi and Weddell on the dais, the assembly will be equally shared by female and male assembly members.  

Current assembly members Jay Burnham, Deb Potter, Orion Hanson and Dan Henry complete the body.

Three school board seats had looked to remain empty, but four residents ran write-in campaigns after the regular registration period had passed.

With three candidates running for two, three-year terms, former member Jason Verhaeghe brought in 190 votes (38%), earning a seat alongside newcomer Sterling Rachel who saw 171 votes (34%). Write-in Phil Wagner received 149 (30%) votes.

Running uncontested for a single one-year term on the school board, Melinda Munson received 182 votes (36%). 

Current members Luke Rauscher and Cory Thole make up the rest of the school board.

Poll voting saw 438 people cast votes, 48 voted early/absentee in person and 17 people voted absentee by mail. There were three question ballots during early voting and one special needs ballot was utilized.

In the end, 503 ballots were voted in a pool of 1188 registered voters, leaving voter turnout at 42%. 

Results were certified Oct. 5.