5-way race keeping candidates on their toes

WASILLA — Before Gov. Sarah Palin rose to national fame and put Wasilla in the spotlight, the biggest news in town was the five-way race for mayor.

News flash, the race is still on.

Five men are vying for the seat held by Mayor Dianne M. Keller, and before her, the Republican vice presidential candidate, Palin.

Verne Rupright, Marty Metiva, Greg Koskela, Steve Menard and Michael Carson have until Oct. 7, when voters head to the polls for municipal elections, to show the public why they are the best choice to lead the city,

No matter who wins this year’s election, it will be the first time a male has held the mayor’s seat for 12 years. It will also come on the heels of a contentious end to Keller’s term in office after a corruption investigation raised tensions between the mayor and council.

This week, even as some were being inundated by national and international media calls, all five candidates said they are still diligently campaigning.

Local lawyer Rupright said Monday he’s feeling confident at this stage, and is particularly looking forward to debating his opponents.

“I’m getting a lot of positive feedback,” Rupright said. “I sure have knocked on a lot of doors in the past two months.”

Rupright has said he is committed to Wasilla because of his long standing in the community.

One of Rupright’s opponents, Koskela, is being cautiously optimistic ahead of the municipal election.

“You really can’t gauge until election day what’s going on,” Koskela said.

Koskela added he’s still out talking to voters, putting up signs and listening to what potential constituents have to say.

Like Rupright, Koskela said he’s looking forward to debating the opposition head on.

“I have a feeling a lot of us have some similar things to talk about,” he said. “It’s up to the people who has the best plan for the city.”

For Metiva, who is a city councilman, door-to-door and face-to-face encounters with voters are of the utmost importance.

“When I decided to run I wanted to knock on as many doors as I can,” Metiva said, adding it’s the best way to gauge what matters to voters right now.

Metiva said a lot of what he’s hearing from residents deals with ethics reform. Metiva also said residents are telling him they want more jobs and a more diverse economy.

That sort of input has been a large goal of Metiva’s campaign, he said.

As to his chances come October, like his opponents, Metiva is upbeat.

“I feel really good,” he said.

Both Carson and Menard did not return message before press time.

Only those voters living within Wasilla city limits can cast a ballot for one of the five Wasilla mayoral candidates. Municipal elections take place Oct. 7. The Frontiersman newspaper will host a mayoral debate from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29 at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.