ALASKA'S NEWSPAPER

| Updated: 12:01 AM

Mackie leads School Board candidates in election fundraising

While some candidates running for the four open seats on the Anchorage School Board have opted out of significant fundraising, others are pulling in tens of thousands of dollars and spending that on TV commercials and billboards.

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Most of the 22 candidates in the four races are exempt from reporting who gave them money because they are raising and spending less than $5,000.

Below is how fundraising was going for the others as of early last week.

SEAT B

Jeannie Mackie had raised the most, some $35,000, according to her Alaska Public Office Commission report.

Supporters who gave her $500 include Assemblyman Dan Coffey; Al Parrish, CEO of Providence Health Systems, and John Shively, CEO of Pebble Partnership. Many other Native executives in Anchorage also have contributed.

Mackie's husband is lobbyist Jerry Mackie, a well-connected former state senator.

Mia Costello, another stay-at-home mom, had about $19,000, including contributions from dozens of people and at least $5,000 of her own money.

Reports from Starr Marsett and David Boyle show their campaigns are mostly self-funded.

SEAT E

James LaBelle had spent $15,000 of his own money, with another $3,000 coming from contributors. His 15 contributors include Native business leaders such as Susan Anderson, president of the CIRI Foundation, and Margaret Brown, president of Cook Inlet Region Inc. LaBelle is Native and, like Mackie, thinks the School Board needs a Native voice.

This is LaBelle's second run for the board. "Raising money is difficult," he said about digging into his own pocket. "It was a risky move but one that I believe in because I feel like I have a good shot at it this year."

Jody Smith raised about $13,000, including $3,000 of her own money. Most of her money flowed in during March. Eight of her 62 contributors work for Shell Oil, where her husband, Curtis, also works.

Kathleen Plunkett received $5,600 from 30 contributors and had added $3,000 of her own money.

SEATS F AND G

Jeff Friedman, running for re-election to Seat F, had raised $13,000 while his opponent Dawn Bundick had $608.

For Seat G, incumbent Crystal Kennedy has no opponent and is exempt from reporting.


Find Megan Holland online at adn.com/contact/mholland or call 257-4343.

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