Brelsford, who is running as a Republican, served as manager of the Bristol Bay Borough, and as interim citty manager of Dillingham. Previously, he served as a law clerk for the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court and practiced law in Anchorage.
Gregg Brelsford, the former Bristol Bay Borough manager, is running as a Republican in the primary for Alaska’s sole congressional seat in the 2022 mid-term election.
Brelsford is up against incumbent Republican Representative Don Young. Another challenger, Randy Purham, is also running as a Republican, according to the Alaska Division of Elections.
Brelsford served as manager of the Bristol Bay Borough from 2018 - 2020, and he stepped in as interim city manager of Dillingham for several months earlier this year. Previously, he served as a law clerk for the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court and practiced law in Anchorage.
In a news release Sunday announcing his candidacy, Brelsford said while he respects Young, he believes Young has “lost track” of some democratic traditions.
Brelsford attributes his passion for democracy to living abroad where he witnessed people in other countries struggle for a fair vote.
“I refuse to be a Republican who stays silent as many in our party chip away at our state and national ideals for petty, self-interested, short-term, goals. I am a principled, new generation, conservative.”
The former borough manager lost a 1994 campaign for Alaska House District 11 that ended on friendly terms and said he hopes to return to that level of camaraderie.
Young, Alaska's current representative, has held that office since 1973 and is the longest-serving member of the current congress. When this term ends, he will have served as the state’s representative for half a century.
His most recent opponent, Independent Alyse Galvin, lost elections against him twice, 53% - 47% in 2018 and 54 - 45% in 2020.
