Ketchikan House race pits utility incumbent against borough assembly challenger

House District 1 is a Ketchikan race between two candidates who both arrive from local government, but with different public records.

The Alaska Division of Elections lists Rep. Jeremy Bynum, a Republican, as the certified incumbent. It lists Grant EchoHawk, a nonpartisan candidate, as pending.

Bynum lists his occupation as electric utility manager and professional engineer. His candidate statement says he has more than 22 years of experience in energy and hydroelectric power. He works at Ketchikan Public Utilities as electric division manager and engineering manager. He served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. He has served on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly since 2020.

EchoHawk lists his occupation as business loan specialist at Tongass Federal Credit Union. His statement says he was born in Fairbanks and raised in a fishing family in Metlakatla. He spent summers on a gillnetter and now lives in Ketchikan. He serves on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly. He is treasurer of the Ketchikan Tribal Business Corporation board. He has served with KRBD Public Radio, the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition, the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council and the Ketchikan Public Library advisory board.

Bynum's background centers on utilities, infrastructure, hydroelectric power and borough government. EchoHawk's background centers on community finance, tribal business, local lending and civic networks.

The race features a Republican incumbent and a nonpartisan challenger, both with Ketchikan civic records.

A House member from District 1 represents communities where ferries, fish, power, schools and public investment are central issues.

District 1 voters, including voters in Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Saxman, Wrangell, Hyder, and Coffman Cove, will decide between the two candidates in the upcoming election.