The Nome Common Council officially canvassed the election results Tuesday. Mayor-elect Kenny Hughes was sworn in, along with new council member Adam R. Lust.
The official election results showed Hughes received 265 votes out of the 431 ballots cast, or about 62% of the vote. There were 24 write-ins. Hughes will serve a two-year term.
Handeland has served as mayor of Nome twice in 20 years, having first served from 1985 to 2003 and then again from 2020 to 2025. In his concession speech, he bid farewell to the people of Nome as mayor.
“As your mayor, I will no longer be representing the City of Nome,” Handeland said. “Know, however, that my care, commitment and compassion for the people of Nome is unwavering. It's not linked to a title or an office.”
After Handeland's speech, Hughes took his oath of office and was sworn in as the new mayor.
In a text message to KNOM, Hughes thanked the citizens of Nome for their vote, and Handeland for his cordiality.
"I am humbled by the outpouring of support I've received from the community since the election and John's graciousness at the swearing in ceremony," Hughes said. "Truly, there's no place like Nome!"
After Hughes was sworn in, Lust took his oath of office for Common Council Seat E, previously held by Cameron Piscoya.
Lust will serve a three-year term. Lust ran unopposed and received 366 votes. There were 33 write-ins.
ANSEP Acceleration Academy student, Alora Stasenko, took her oath of office as student representative. She was selected by the student body at Nome-Beltz Middle High School. The position serves as a liaison to the youth of Nome.
