Anchorage

Former TV reporter Joy Bunde declares bid for Anchorage Assembly

Former Anchorage TV news reporter and current business marketer Joy Bunde said Friday she's entering the race for a South Anchorage Assembly seat.

Bunde, the daughter of former Republican state Sen. Con Bunde, said she has filed paperwork with the Alaska Public Offices Commission that would allow her to start accepting campaign donations.

Her candidacy comes a week after another candidate, Joe Riggs, withdrew from the race. Bunde said Friday that Riggs and a number of other Republicans had approached her and asked her to run.

"There's only nonfiscally conservative people in the race," Bunde said. "And I said, 'South Anchorage needs a fiscally conservative choice.'"

Bunde, 48, spent 12 years as a news anchor and reporter at KTVA-11 and KIMO (now KYUR, or Your Alaska Link). She said she's worked more recently in marketing, and in January started a social media marketing company, Ignite Inc. She said her clients include First National Bank of Alaska.

Bunde also works as associate publisher of Alaska Inc., a business magazine focused on Alaska Native corporations. She said she also mentors women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Bunde said that while she worked on her father's campaigns, this is her first run for elected office. She said she's a registered Republican and supports a recent initiative effort aimed at lowering the city tax cap, as well as a marijuana tax measure that will be on the April ballot.

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Bunde's challengers currently include Mark Schimscheimer, a property manager and developer, and John Weddleton, a community activist and business owner. The three are seeking to fill a seat being vacated by Jennifer Johnston, who is barred by term limits from running again, and has declared her candidacy for the Alaska House.

In his first campaign finance report, filed on Wednesday, Weddleton reported he had raised more than $42,000 since late September for his campaign. Weddleton has spent slightly more than $26,500, the filings show, expenses mostly associated with fundraisers and campaign management fees.

Schimscheimer's latest campaign finance report was filed Jan. 18, four days after he filed his paperwork allowing him to accept donations. He did not report raising or spending any money at that time.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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