JUNEAU — Chugiak Republican Sen. Bill Stoltze's retirement has set off a cascade of candidacies, as three people have recently signed up to run for the House seat to be vacated by Palmer GOP Rep. Shelley Hughes as she seeks to replace Stoltze.
Since last week, Richard Best, Delena Johnson and Nancy Campbell have filed letters with the Alaska Public Offices Commission that allow them to start raising money for a campaign to replace Hughes.
Johnson, a Republican, is the mayor of Palmer. Best, also a Republican, is a Palmer city council member. Campbell is also a registered Republican.
Hughes announced earlier this week that she would seek Stoltze's seat.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Richard Best was a former Palmer City Council member. He is currently on the council.