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Final results taking shape in uncontested North Slope Borough races

Candidates have secured their seats in six uncontested races for the North Slope Borough Assembly, according to official election results.

Joseph Ahmagoak, running for Seat A-2 representing Wainwright, received over 96% of the vote.

As a council member, Ahmagoak had said he wants to help North Slope communities renovate schools, improve water and sewer infrastructure and make sure their power source is secure.

Avaiyak Burnell, the first vice president on Arctic Slope Regional Corp.’s board of directors, received over 96% of the vote in a race for Seat A-3A representing Utqiagvik.

Trina Brower Paul, the sole candidate for Utqiagvik Seat A-3D, gained more than 97% of the vote.

Michael Donovan is the only candidate for Seat A-3F. He had over 95% of the vote.

Donovan had said he decided to run for the seat to continue holding leadership accountable and promote honesty and transparency in the borough government. He also had said he wants to prioritize education and professional development opportunities for youth.

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Thomas Napageak, running for Nuiqsut Seat A-4, had more than 98% of the vote.

Douglas Whiteman was running for Seat A-5 to represent Atqasuk and Point Lay. He received over 96% of the vote.

[Incumbents dominate the North Slope Borough Assembly races, all uncontested]

In the races for the North Slope Borough Board of Education, incumbent John Hopson, who is a former Wainwright city mayor and council member, was running for Seat E. Hopson had gained more than 96% of the vote by Tuesday.

Nora Jane Burns was running for Seat J on the Board of Education and received more than 96% of the vote. She had said she decided to run to continue her efforts to support language preservation and to make sure that students receive high-quality education that will foster leadership skills.

Utqiagvik City Council

In the two races for Utqiagvik City Council, first-time candidate Craig Moore Jr. and incumbent Martina R. Hopson secured the two open seats.

[An incumbent and a first-time candidate are running for two seats on Utqiagvik City Council]

Moore, who was running for Seat C, received 178 votes, or 75% of the vote. As a city council member, Moore plans to focus on improving the mental health services in the community. He also wants to increase accountability and transparency in the city government and ensure that the city has independent sources of revenue.

Hopson, running for Seat D, had 231 votes, or 93%.

She said she wants to continue making the work of the council transparent and efficient and create more recreational spaces in the community.

Alena Naiden

Alena Naiden writes about communities in the North Slope and Northwest Arctic regions for the Arctic Sounder and ADN. Previously, she worked at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.