Unofficial results: Verne Rupright appears to win Wasilla election; 156 votes still outstanding

WASILLA — Local attorney Verne Rupright appears to have beat out Marty Metiva for Wasilla mayor in today's runoff, according to unofficial results from the city.

Results have not been finalized and made official by the city's canvassing board.

As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, Rupright had received 388 votes, or 55.3 percent, to Metiva's 314 votes, or 44.7 percent.

There are still 156 outstanding votes to be counted, according to city officials, and a final number will be determined during the city's Canvassing Board meeting this Friday.

The new mayor will be sworn in Monday at Wasilla City Hall, though a time is not yet available.

One day after the election, Rupright said he’s feeling confident about his chances, even as the last hurdle of counting outstanding votes looms on the horizon.

“I’m confident, obviously, that I will be sworn in really quick.”

Rupright said that although some supporters and critics of both candidates became more vocal near the end of the campaign, he feels negativity between him and Metiva was non-existent.

“I encourage Marty to stay involved if that’s what he plans to do,” Rupright said.

Metiva, reached on his cell phone, said “it ain’t over ‘till it’s over.”

“We had fun,” Metiva said. “We ran a good race and we kept our head high.”

Metiva had faced scrutiny from critics just days before the run-off election, and a cadre of Wasilla residents seemed bent on denying him the mayor’s seat.

Metiva, in an interview with the Frontiersman, addressed the concerns of some voters and maintained he was running for mayor because he wants what’s best for Wasilla.

Whether Rupright will maintain his lead after the remaining ballots are counted is unclear, but per the unofficial results tonight, he is on the way to becoming mayor.

Metiva said even if he isn’t elected he still plans to stay involved with the city, and do what he can to make it a great place to live.

“This is a great community,” he said.

The Frontiersman will update this story as more information becomes available.