WASILLA -- A familiar name in Mat-Su Valley government has notified the Alaska Public Offices Commission he plans to run for state office before the ink is even dry on new legislative districts.
Mat-Su Borough Assemblyman Jim Colver plans to challenge Chickaloon's Rep. Eric Feige in the 2014 Republican primary, Colver said on Thursday after filing a letter of intent with the commission.
It's likely Colver and Feige will be vying to represent House District 9 when the dust settles on the state's contentious redistricting process. New district boundaries withstood a court challenge this week but state elections officials say the soonest they'll set district boundaries is early next month.
As shown on Alaska Redistricting Board maps, District 9 will span a large area that includes Hatcher Pass, Lazy Mountain, Sutton, Chickaloon, Delta Junction, Valdez and Whittier.
Colver, a land surveyor who lives near Hatcher Pass, has served on the Assembly for a total of 10 years, with a three-year break to serve on the Mat-Su School Board. He made a failed bid for a state House seat in 2002 and in 2010 worked as a legislative aide to Rep. Donny Olson, D-Nome.
Feige did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. First elected to the House in 2010, he has co-chaired the House Resources Committee.
Reach Zaz Hollander at zhollander@adn.com or 257-4317.
By ZAZ HOLLANDER