Cordova City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, March 16, to certify the results of the 2022 mayoral election in favor of candidate David Allison.
The city counted 12 valid ballots Wednesday, closing the gap on the mayoral race to two votes, City Clerk Susan Bourgeois said. This triggered an automatic recount, which affirmed the original result.
Allison won with 417 votes, Cordova voters cast 415 votes for his opponent, Wendy Ranney.
“Well in true Cordova fashion, voters are split, and I have officially lost the mayoral race by two votes,” Ranney said Wednesday on social media. “Congrats to Dave Allison for becoming the new mayor 417 to 415. It was an eye-opening experience for me, but this did not scare me off. I will see you again in three years.”
Allison responded to her comments.
“Thank You, Wendy, for your dedication to Cordova and its progress!” Allison wrote. “I look forward to working for all of Cordova, and you are a big part of that Wendy! Thank you for all your volunteer efforts on numerous committees and commissions, as well as the volunteer work that you do. And thank you, Cordovans — for getting out and voting!”
Ranney was honored with a proclamation of appreciation passed by Cordova City Council. Mayor Clay Koplin presented Ranney with a certificate recognizing her accomplishments as a nine-year member of the Cordova Library Board, for helping organize the Mt. Eccles Elementary School library and for volunteer activities with numerous other community groups.
Allison will fill the shoes of Mayor Koplin who has served in the office for six years.
Also certified were wins for:
- Unopposed Tom Bailer for City Council Seat A with 651 votes
- Unopposed Kristin Carpenter for City Council Seat F with 685 votes.
- Kenneth B. Jones will take City Council Seat G with 466 votes over Molly Mulvaney who had 364 votes.
- Barb Jewell (420 votes) and Theresa (Terri) Stavig (449 votes) won the two open seats on the Cordova School District Board. Stephanie Rusinski Bernard (336 votes) and Chris Bolin (362 votes) did not garner enough votes for those seats.
- Lone candidate for Cordova Community Medical Center Authority Board Annie Linville was confirmed with 738 votes.
- Proposition 1 for the city to take a $2 million load from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation passed with 768 yes votes and 52 no votes.
Candidates were set to be sworn in at noon, Thursday, March 17.
