The filing period for the 2025 City of Nome municipal election closed Tuesday, September 2, with several residents submitting their paperwork before the 5 p.m. deadline, according to City Clerk Dan Grimmer.
The ballot for the October 7 election will feature two names in the race for mayor. Incumbent John Handeland is seeking another two-year term and will face challenger Kenny Hughes.
Hughes ran for the seat in 2020 following the death of former mayor, Richard Beneville. The Nome Common Council appointed Handeland interim mayor following a review of the candidates. He was formally elected by voters months later.
Hughes has seven years of experience serving as mayor of Teller and currently chairs the Nome Planning Commission.
Rexodus Pomrenke expressed interest in running for mayor at a Nome Common Council meeting in July, but failed to file in time.
Two seats on the Common Council are also up for election. Adam Lust filed for Seat E, a three-year term, while current council member Mark Johnson filed for Seat F, also a three-year term. Both are running unopposed in their respective seats.
For the Nome Joint Utilities board, no candidate filed for Seat A, which carries a two-year term. Larry Pederson filed unopposed for Seat D, a three-year term.
On the Nome School Board, Darlene Trigg filed for Seat A and Marjorie Kunaq Tahbone filed for Seat E. Both seats are three-year terms.
In addition to the races for local office, voters will also decide on a proposition that would raise the city’s sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent. If approved, it would take effect at the start of the new year.
Anyone wishing to challenge a candidate’s eligibility to hold office may submit a challenge to the City Clerk’s office prior to election day.
The City of Nome municipal election is set for Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
