David Pruhs
David Pruhs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 52nd Mayor of Fairbanks | |
| In office October 24, 2022 – October 27, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Matherly |
| Succeeded by | Mindy O'Neall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1959 or 1960 (age 66–67) Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | California Polytechnic State University (BS) |
David Pruhs (December 19, 1959)[1] is an American politician who served as the mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska from 2022 to 2025. Prior to his election as mayor, Pruhs served two terms as a member of Fairbanks' City Council. Pruhs served one three-year term as the 52nd Mayor of Fairbanks before he was defeated for re-election by Democrat Mindy O'Neall in 2025.[2][3]
Career
Pruhs was born in Fairbanks, and graduated from Monroe Catholic High School before achieving a BS in Business Administration, from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He was Chair of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Planning Commission (2012–2014), before serving two terms as a member of the Fairbanks City Council (2014–2020), concurrently as a member of the Alaska Real Estate Commission from 2016 to 2020.[2]
Mayor of Fairbanks
In 2022, Pruhs was elected to replace fellow Republican two-term incumbent Jim Matherly who was retiring. In the officially non-partisan election on October 4, 2022, he faced Fairbanks City Council Member Valerie Therrien, and defeated her with 55.9% of the votes.[4]
During his tenure, he received criticism for a Facebook post in April 2025, which stated his opinion that the city operates downtown “for residents… not for visitors”, as a comment on people coming into downtown from villages and shelters. Critics, including Alaska Native organizations like the Tanana Chiefs Conference, said the comments implied a link between Alaska Native people and social problems such as vandalism or disorder and reinforced harmful stereotypes about Native communities.[5] Pruhs subsequently issued a public apology.[6]
In the 2025 mayoral election, Pruhs ran for re-election but was defeated by Democrat Mindy O'Neall who won with approximately 54% of the vote. After conceding, Pruhs suggested that low voter turnout, roughly 15% of eligible voters participated, contributed to his loss.[3][7]
References
- ↑ "David Pruhs' Biography". Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- 1 2 "ACAH Board of Directors". Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- 1 2 Buxton, Matt Acuña (October 9, 2025). "Fairbanks progressives win near-sweep in local elections - The Alaska Current". Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ Bengel, Alex (September 30, 2022). "David Pruhs and Valerie Therrien run for mayor of Fairbanks". Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ Gilchrist, Patrick (April 29, 2025). "'It's a start': Native leaders call for further action, collaboration after Fairbanks mayor's apology". KUAC.org. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ Peterson, Adrian (April 29, 2025). "If you deem that as racist, I do apologize': Fairbanks city mayor responds to allegations of online discrimination". Retrieved March 20, 2026.
- ↑ Parks, Molly (October 8, 2025). "Democrat Mindy O'Neall ousts Fairbanks Republican David Pruhs". Washington Examiner. Retrieved March 20, 2026.