Monday, September 29, Candidate Forum

September 25, 2025 Seward Folly Staff

Voters will be allowed to vote for one Mayoral candidate and two City Council candidates in the upcoming elections.  There will be a candidates’ forum Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. at the library (see the flyer at the bottom of page).

Reminder: Townhall Meeting about Seward’s Energy Future is scheduled after the candidate forum at 7 p.m. at the Rae Building.

Absentee by-mail application deadline is Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Citizens can apply in the Seward City Clerk’s Office or with the KPB Clerk’s Office. Absentee voting is available in the Seward City Hall September 22 to October 6, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(Monday through Friday) and during Election Day. 

There are six candidates for the City Council. Voters can vote for two. 

Michael B. Calhoon
Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “I am running for election to the Seward City Council with the goal to help Seward continue to move forward with growth in both the private and business sectors. I believe my record on the council over the years has shown me to be fiscally responsible with the goal of developing a strong and sustainable year-round economy. I am an Army veteran with ties to Seward since my family moved here in 1962. I am community minded and service oriented. I have previously served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Seward City Council. I have been on the Board of Directors for American Legion Post 5 since 2006. Seward is a great town to live in and I believe it can get even better with continued emphasis on responsible and affordable development of single-family housing and year-round business. I would like the opportunity to, again, serve the community of Seward and help all of us meet the challenges of the future.”

Randy Wells

Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “Seward is a vibrant and resilient community, and I’m proud to have served the City Council over the past four years. Each week, I’ve dedicated time to representing our residents and working toward a stronger, more sustainable future. I’ve also been deeply involved in addressing our housing challenges — partnering with residents, council, and administration to update city codes and encourage responsible property development throughout town. I’m running for re-election to keep this momentum going. I’m committed to modernizing outdated zoning regulations to unlock new housing opportunities and to help build a more robust, year round economy, something Seward truly deserves. I remain dedicated to serving with transparency, integrity, and a forward-thinking approach. Let’s keep Seward moving forward — together!”

Lori Draper
Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “I have been a proud resident of Seward for 48 years. After beginning my career in banking as a teller, I worked my way up to district manager before retiring. I have served on the Seward Chamber of Commerce, Seward Rotary Club, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Bear Creek Fire Service Area, and Seward General Hospital boards. My husband and I raised three children here and now have two grandchildren growing up in Seward. I am running for City Council because I care deeply about our community and want it to remain a wonderful place to live, work, and visit — a place where my grandchildren can receive the same excellent public education my children did and have opportunities to build fulfilling lives here. Our community faces serious challenges, including a public education crisis, a shortage of affordable housing, and uncertainty about the future of our electric utility. These issues require innovative, transparent decision-making that welcomes community input, relies on expert advice, and learns from other communities that have successfully navigated similar challenges. I am committed to listening, collaborating, and working hard for Seward’s future.”

Kevin Finch
Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “I am running for City Council to try to bring balance for Seward resident year-round. I have lived in Seward for 32 years and run my own business.”

Kevin Finch has served on the city council since 2022 . He has 25 years of experience in the Department of Corrections and five years in the Army. He runs his own business and supports the American Legion.

Samantha LePera
Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “I want to serve on the city council because I care deeply about the future of our town and the people who live here. I moved here when I was 22 years old in 2016 from Ft. Myers, FL, which could not be more different from Seward. I would go to the grocery store not knowing one person I would bump into and now I walk into any local establishment and know most of the patrons. The small-town feel is exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for. Now that I have been here for nearly a decade, I want to give back and continue making Seward a place that 22-year-old me would be proud of and welcome to call home. The small-town feel is what many people who move here are looking for. I want to continue building on the legacy this town already has. That being a place where families can move and thrive, businesses can grow, and neighbors can depend on each other. I want to strengthen local infrastructure, support small business development, and make sure our town continues to be a safe place for residents and visitors alike. Serving on city council would give me the opportunity to give back to this community that has already given me so much.”

James Michael Taylor

Statement (reproduced exactly as submitted): “I moved to Seward in the spring of 1994, when snow still lingered on the mountains and the smell of salt and spruce mixed in the thawing air. Back then, our harbor was smaller, our streets quieter, and you could still hear the clatter of the boatyard over the gulls. In the decades since, I’ve watched our fair city change — sometimes slowly, like the steady pull of the tide, and sometimes suddenly, like a storm rolling in from Resurrection Bay. I’ve seen City Council members come and go, each bringing their own vision for Seward. Some worked hard to strengthen our community. Others, in my opinion, carried personal agendas that didn’t always serve the greater good. Over the years, I’ve learned that in a small town, politics is never just about policies — it’s about people, personalities, and the trust we place in those who represent us. It is with this understanding that I have decided to run for City Council. I believe I can make a difference — not by pushing my own agenda, but by listening to the people of Seward and carrying their voices into the room where decisions are made. My commitment is simple: to represent our community.”

Two of these six candidates will join the Seward City Council this fall, each bringing their own perspective and hopes for the city’s future. Election day offers a chance for residents to help shape the direction of Seward for years to come.