Kenai Borough Assemblyman Bill Elam has filed a letter of intent with the Alaska Public Office Commission for the State House District 8. The position is now held by Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter, who is running for Senate against Sen. Jesse Bjorkman of Nikiski. The seat represents Nikiski, a part of Soldotna, Hope, and Moose Pass on the Kenai Peninsula.
Already filed for the House seat is Republican John Hillyer, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. With the current open-primary system being used under the Alaskans for Better Elections method, the top four finishers in the Aug 20 primary will appear on the Nov. 5 general ballot, even if they are all Republicans.
Elam, who works as a network administrator for Central Peninsula Hospital, has been on the Assembly’s lands committee and served as a liaison for the Kenai Borough School District.
Candidates have until June 1 to file for House and Senate races.
