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Dave Bronson

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For other uses, see David Bronson (disambiguation).

Dave Bronson
37th Mayor of Anchorage
In office
July 1, 2021 – July 1, 2024
Preceded byAustin Quinn-Davidson (acting)
Succeeded bySuzanne LaFrance
Personal details
Born (1958-06-26) June 26, 1958 (age 66)
Superior, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDebra
Children2
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BS)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
UnitAir Force Reserve Command
Alaska Air National Guard

David Bronson (born June 26, 1958)[1] is an American politician, pilot, and retired Air Force officer. A Republican,[2] he was the 37th mayor of Anchorage, Alaska from 2021 until 2024.

Early life and education

[edit]

Bronson was born and raised in the southern end of Superior, Wisconsin. He was born to parents, Bill, and Sandy Bronson. He also attended Superior High School. As a young boy, Dave distributed the Evening telegram.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[4]

Career

[edit]

After graduating, Dave was involved in the creation of Alaska Family Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes traditional Christian values and is against same-sex marriage and abortion.[5] In 2011, Bronson ran for a Midtown Assembly seat and lost. During the assembly, Bronson was asked about certain policies including collective bargaining and tax burdens.[6] Bronson served as a pilot in the United States Air Force from 1981 to 1990, as an Air Force Reserve Command plans officer from 1992 to 1993, and an Alaska Air National Guard maintenance officer and pilot from 1993 to 2005, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[7] He has also worked as a commercial pilot since 1990.[8] In January 2021, Bronson declared his candidacy for mayor in the 2021 Anchorage mayoral election.[9] In the general election, Bronson placed first in a field of 15 candidates. Bronson then narrowly defeated Forrest Dunbar in a May 2021 runoff election. Dunbar conceded the race to Bronson on May 21, 2021.[10][11] Though Anchorage mayoral elections are nonpartisan, Bronson is a registered Republican.

Mayor of Anchorage

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Anchorage has mayor council leadership that gives the mayor power similar to that of a chief executive. In other words, Anchorage has a strong mayoral system. In this system, the mayor has veto power as well as the power to propose the annual fiscal budget. However, even though the mayor has the power to propose the budget, the Assembly has the ultimate power to approve or reject proposed changes to the budget. The mayor is also responsible for appointing a municipal manager who is responsible for everyday operations. But, prior to being appointed, the municipal manager must undergo a confirmation process by the city Assembly.[12]

In October 2023 Bronson proposed a revised operating budget for the city in 2024. Currently, the city of Anchorage spends roughly $600 million annually. Bronson's proposed budget would cut current spending by about $2.4 million. Despite these proposed changes, Bronson has continued to emphasize the importance of core public services such as: increased funding for public transportation, snow removal and road maintenance and repairs. In addition, Bronson emphasized the importance of funding necessary public health and safety services in an attempt to prioritize the needs of Anchorage residents.[13][14]

The month after Bronson took office, he revoked a paid parental leave policy for city workers. Another policy was revoked that allowed non-unionized city workers to bring their young children (up to six months old) to the office. Both policies were enacted by the previous mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson late into her term. Bronson cited the lack of research on the policies prior to implementation and their rushed nature of approval as reason for their dismissal. He also said that he received complaints from workers about children brought to work.[15]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronson has declined to enact mask or vaccine requirements, saying that it was a matter of personal choice. He also said he would not get a vaccine, calling it "experimental".[16] During an Anchorage Assembly meeting on September 29, 2021, he defended the use of Star of David holocaust imagery worn by those opposed to a municipal mask mandate.[17] The mandatory mask ordinance–requiring any individual older than two years old to wear a facial mask indoors–was debated at the meeting. Mayor Bronson initially advocated for the symbol's usage, calling it a “credit to [Jews],” but later recanted the statement after public criticism. He went on to say that although he agreed with opposing the mask ordinance, that protestors should choose a different symbol to do so.[18]

On October 1, he ordered a stop to water fluoridation in Anchorage based on reports of dangers, such as burning eyes and throats of workers. Bronson's response was criticized by the representative of the workers, Aaron Plikat, who claims that they had never complained about the fluoride. He allowed it to resume when he discovered that it is mandated by Anchorage's municipal code, and no significant impact on the water fluoridation level was caused on October 1, 2021.[19][20]

In May 2023, Bronson closed the homeless shelter at the Sullivan Arena leading the homeless encampments in Anchorage parks to "explode in size." Bronson said that the Arena should go back to hosting concerts and hockey games, and suggested sending the homeless people to Los Angeles and other cities in the contiguous United States.[21] Bronson had made plans to construct a new shelter for up to 200 people, but the Anchorage Assembly shut down the project. Construction had begun without finalizing funding and without a plan for its operating costs going forward.[22]

Electoral history

[edit]

In the 2021 Anchorage mayoral election, Bronson and Forrest Dunbar advanced to a runoff election on May 11 after no one gained a majority in the general election on April 5. Dunbar conceded on May 21. Bronson received 50.66% of the vote, while Dunbar received 49.34%.[23]

Bronson lost the 2024 Anchorage mayoral election in the May 14 runoff against Suzanne LaFrance.

Personal life

[edit]

Bronson and his wife Debra attend Mountain City Church (formerly Anchorage Baptist Temple).[24][25] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronson accepted an early retirement package from Delta Airlines, where he had been a commercial pilot.[26] Dave Bronson has a son Zach Bronson, and a daughter Katie Bronson. Dave's son Zach followed in his footsteps and became a commercial pilot. In the downtime, Dave enjoys spending time with family and going hunting and fishing.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Meet Dave". Bronson for Mayor. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Herz, Nathaniel (May 18, 2021). "Anchorage is trending blue. Here's why it's on track to elect a conservative mayor". Alaska Public Media. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "Superior High School graduate to helm Alaska's biggest city". Superior Telegram. June 28, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Downing, Suzanne (August 26, 2020). "Dave Bronson announces candidacy for mayor of Anchorage to 'turn this city around'". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  5. ^ Anchorage, Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media- (June 16, 2021). "After bruising campaign, Bronson says he's looking for common ground in Anchorage". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Spack, Kristin (March 29, 2011). "Running 2011: Assembly Seat G, Midtown Anchorage". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Anchorage mayor candidate Q&A: Dave Bronson," Anchorage Daily News, March 13, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Team, Alaska's News Source Digital. "Meet the candidate: Dave Bronson". alaskasnewssource.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  9. ^ George, Kavitha; Anchorage, Alaska Public Media- (January 18, 2021). "Candidates begin filing for Anchorage municipal office". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Heated runoff race for Anchorage mayor too close to call". AP NEWS. May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bronson set to win race for Anchorage mayor; Dunbar concedes". Anchorage Daily News. May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  12. ^ "Municode Library". library.municode.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  13. ^ Anchorage, Jeremy Hsieh, Alaska Public Media- (October 3, 2023). "Anchorage Mayor Bronson proposes leaner budget for 2024". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved November 29, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Cadotte, Joe (October 3, 2023). "Mayor's 2024 proposed budget shaves off $2.4M from last year's proposals". www.alaskasnewssource.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes paid parental leave for city workers". Alaska Public Media. August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  16. ^ "As COVID-19 cases rise, Anchorage Mayor Bronson says he won't enact restrictions and doesn't plan to get vaccinated". Achorage Daily News. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  17. ^ Goodykoontz, Emily (September 29, 2021). "Mayor Bronson defends use of Holocaust imagery by mask mandate opponents during heated second night of Anchorage Assembly hearing". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  18. ^ Stracqualursi, Veronica (October 1, 2021). "Anchorage mayor apologizes after saying protesters' use of Star of David to oppose mask mandate is 'credit' to Jews | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "Anchorage mayor briefly ordered halt to water fluoridation". AP NEWS. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  20. ^ Anchorage, Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media- (December 15, 2021). "Anchorage mayor turned off fluoride in city water for about 5 hours". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 4, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Branson-Potts, Hailey (August 10, 2023). "Ship Alaska's homeless population off to California? They say no way, 'Alaska's my home'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  22. ^ Anchorage, Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media- (August 23, 2023). "Assembly rejects putting millions of dollars toward East Anchorage homeless shelter". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 4, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Mayoral election in Anchorage, Alaska (2021)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "Col. David Bronson – AK Family". Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "New Name, Expanding Vision," Mountain City Church, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  26. ^ Anchorage, Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media- (June 16, 2021). "After bruising campaign, Bronson says he's looking for common ground in Anchorage". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Anchorage, Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media- (June 16, 2021). "After bruising campaign, Bronson says he's looking for common ground in Anchorage". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved December 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Anchorage
2021–2024 		Succeeded by
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