Mat-Su Assemblymember Sumner resigns, moves on to state House

“I would just like to say that it’s been a great privilege and honor to serve on the Borough Assembly,” Sumner said during closing remarks.

Sumner, a life-long Mat-Su resident and Republican, is co-owner, along with his brother Maxwell, of Sumner Company Homes.

Prior to his time on the Assembly, Sumner served on the Wasilla Planning Commission and was the vice-chair of Alaska Policy Forum, a conservative think tank out of Anchorage. Besides serving on the Assembly, where he was also deputy mayor, Sumner is also on the Alaska Real Estate Commission

When asked why he was running for the state House back in October, Sumner wrote: “As my sons are growing up, I am increasingly concerned about the future we are leaving the next generation. I could no longer sit on the sidelines and watch the results of government mismanagement.”

Sumner was first elected to the Mat-Su Borough Assembly in 2018 to represent North Palmer and North Wasilla areas including Hatcher Pass, Wasilla Fishhook, Schrock, and Memory Lake.

When first elected, Sumner was the Cinderella story of his election, someone people thought highly of but was running against an incumbent. His campaigning was relentless, and was seen as the conservatives’ choice in a conservative district and handily won Mat-Su Borough Assembly District 6.

He immediately stirred up residents when in the aftermath of the 2018 earthquake, the Borough Assembly had moved to temporarily waive dump fees while residents cleaned up from the 7.0 tremor, arguing at the time that the borough’s business was not to commit acts of charity.

Instead, Sumner approved a substitute resolution that would instead create an account for charitable donations towards paying landfill fees for those affected by the earthquake, using the Orion database that was set up for claims following the earthquake.

“I think it’s completely irresponsible to operate something that is supposed to be fee based without fees,” Sumner said at the time. Ultimately, the Borough voted to waive fees except for commercial businesses.

He would later propose an ordinance that would allow Valley voters to determine if the borough should have moved away from a strong manager form of government and grant both executive and administrative powers to the mayor. When it was proposed, the Borough had been in search of a new manager after the previous one had resigned for a different position.

While Sumner felt strongly that the secondary option to hiring a new manager was to move to a strong mayor form of government, he said that managers serve at the pleasure of the assembly, not do direct the best possible actions toward the borough. Ultimately, the ordinance failed in the assembly and was not brought to the voters.

He also created legislation that introducing an apprenticeship utilization ordinance for Borough construction projects., creating job and training opportunities for Valley residents while supporting the construction workforce for the local economy.

“When we came in, we had a budget crisis and we had an earthquake, fires, and floods, and a global pandemic. I’m really proud of how we’ve navigated through all of that. I think that the Mat-Su Borough stands as an example for the rest of the state, and I have full faith in all of you and everybody in the Mat-Su Borough to carry on things and I’m sure we will continue to be the best place to live in Alaska,” he told fellow assembly members Tuesday.

“I want to say, ‘thank you’ and good luck. I’ve really appreciated having you on the assembly. You read your packets, you think about things, you show up, and you’ve got some really good ideas, some really smart and generous ideas,” said Assemblywoman Stephanie Nowers, adding, “I’ve always appreciated the questions that you’ve asked and we’re going to miss you on the assembly, but I’m really glad we’re going to have you in Juneau.”

Other Borough Assembly members also wished Sumner their thanks and wishes for his future in Juneau.

“I’m excited for you. Have fun down in Juneau,” offered Assemblyman Rob Yundt, who also advised him to take up important items like public safety.

“I want to thank Jesse for your service here in the Valley. I know you will keep the Valley’s best interest in mind,” said Ron Bernier.

Meanwhile, his resignation leaves a vacancy on the Assembly, which will begin accepting applications to fill the remainder of his term. The Assembly has 30 days, beginning on January 17, to fill the empty seat.

Sumner now heads to Juneau as a state representative for District 28, bringing his valuable municipal experience to the position.