By Marcia Kuszmaul

Homer Independent Press

In Monday’s City Council meeting, Homer Mayor Rachel Lord confirmed what she announced in her March 22 newsletter – she will not run for office again. Her term expires October 2026.

“It has been an absolute honor to serve our community for nine years (the first seven on Council),” she wrote. “I’ve decided to shift gears and change focus. I will be starting a part-time/online-hybrid law school program this fall.” 

Mayor Rachel Lord presides at the March 23, 2026, City Council Meeting in the Cowles Council Chambers. (Photo by Marcia Kuszmaul/Homer Independent Press)

In the council meeting she acknowledged “everybody’s appreciation and fond farewells” but pointed out that there are seven months left to her term, “almost enough time to, like, grow a whole child.” 

She said she wanted to make sure the lead time before the fall election was long and people were clear on her intent.

Lord was elected on Oct. 1, 2024, to a two-year mayoral term.

Based on the date change for city elections approved by council earlier this month, persons interested in an elective city office must file a declaration of candidacy with the city clerk on or after Sept. 1 and no later than 4:30 p.m., Sept. 15.

Candidates for mayor or city council must have been residents within the city for one year immediately preceding election day.

The next regular city election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 

The switch to November was made as a result of a boroughwide vote in October 2025 to change Kenai Peninsula Borough elections to coincide with state and federal elections. Homer historically has collaborated with the borough on elections administration, including shared costs of ballot preparation, election equipment and election workers. Keeping Homer elections in October would have significantly increased costs to the city.