A great day for my hometown, as Ethan Berkowitz wins big against Amy Demboski.

Courtesy of Alaska Dispatch:

Ethan Berkowitz surged to a decisive win over opponent Amy Demboski in the Anchorage mayoral runoff election Tuesday night. 

With 98 percent of the vote counted, Berkowitz had more than 59 percent of the vote to Demboski’s 41 percent, a margin that was insurmountable. 

Berkowitz had held a commanding lead over Demboski throughout the evening. As of 11 p.m., 122 of the municipality’s 124 precincts had reported. Berkowitz will take over the mayor's office from Dan Sullivan on July 1. 

As his lead over Demboski held strong, Berkowitz stood on a chair at his campaign party in a downtown restaurant to wild applause and waving signs. He asked his supporters to continue to help when the night’s celebration was over, asking them to work on unifying Anchorage and heal the divisions that marked the final days of the campaign. 

“There is a better way,” Berkowitz said. “It doesn’t matter if you're a Republican, a Democrat, a Libertarian, an independent or you don’t even vote. This is our Anchorage!” 

As the applause and screams almost drowned him out, he continued, “It doesn't matter if you’re a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Buddhist or something else. This is our Anchorage! It doesn’t matter if you’re straight or gay or lesbian or transgender.”

Yes this is our Anchorage, and fortunately the combined efforts of the Koch brothers and Jerry Prevo were not able to change that.

I want to thank every Anchorage visitor to IM who voted for Ethan in this election. As I am sure you know this city desperately needs somebody like him to help us repair the damage done during the Sullivan administration.

Ethan Berkowitz is a hard worker, and a man who really cares about the people of this city.

I could not have asked for a better start to my day today.