KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Rupright, Metiva top Wasilla mayoral race

Rupright, Metiva top Wasilla mayoral race

by Lori Tipton
Tuesday, October 7, 2008

WASILLA, Alaska -- Voters here headed to the polls Tuesday, and they'll be heading right back on Oct. 28.

In the five-way race for mayor, a winner needed to get at least 40 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff election. That didn't happen, so there will be a runoff between Verne Rupright and Marty Metiva.

Also in the Wasilla election, five people competed for three city council seats.

The winners are Ron Cox, Leone Harris, and Nancy Hall.

Results were still unofficial as of 10 p.m.

Earlier in the day, hopefuls of all political stripes hit the pavement for one last round of campaigning.

"To get this prime spot (a street corner), I had to be here at 4 o'clock," mayoral candidate Steve Menard said. "In the morning. Yeah."

Menard and Rupright said they spent all summer meeting with constituents.    

"For a city of 7,000, I've probably banged on almost every door in this town," Rupright said.

Rupright hoped a runoff wouldn't be necessary.

"The results are gonna be kind of interesting," he said. "I would like to see us avoid a runoff."

No such luck. He and Metiva will have a two more weeks to press the flesh and campaign for votes.

Contact Lori Tipton ltipton@ktuu.com