Initial results from the recent elections in the City of Nenana indicate significant leads for several candidates. In the municipal council elections, the results for Seat B show that candidate Charles Scott Stevens received 77 votes, while write-in candidates collectively garnered 13 votes. For Seat E, incumbent Karen Harvey obtained a solid lead with 68 votes, compared to 26 votes for write-in candidate Jason Hayward and seven votes for other write-ins.
In the Nenana City School District election, candidate for school board Seat F, Tallon Shreeve, achieved a commanding 99 votes, while write-in candidates received only four votes collectively. Incumbent Jeremiah “JT” Baker for Seat B secured 84 votes, with 16 votes cast for various write-in candidates. For Seat C, Maryellen Robinson received 69 votes, while her opponent, write-in candidate Teresa Trinadad, obtained 19 votes, along with nine votes for other write-ins.
The race for school board Seat A featured two write-in candidates: Kristin Shreeve with 26 votes and Sean Phillips with 19 votes. An additional 31 votes were cast for a variety of other write-in candidates. The School Board Advisory Seat B had a single write-in candidate, Kayla Mortenson, who received five votes.
One of the key ballot measures, Ballot Measure 1, which proposes term limits for Nenana’s mayor, appears to be on track for approval. Currently, it shows 75 yes votes against 28 no votes. If passed, this measure would limit a mayor to three terms and require a one-year break before they can run for the position again. Joshua Verhagen, the current mayor who is in his third term ending in 2027, supported the ordinance for this change in 2024, which received unanimous backing from the Nenana City Council. The city charter mandates that voters must approve such changes through a ballot measure.
It is important to note that the election board is still in the process of counting remaining absentee, questioned, and challenged ballots. Therefore, all results are considered unofficial until they are certified by the city council. This certification will provide a clearer picture of the final outcomes and implications for the City of Nenana moving forward.