Cole reelected Houston mayor

What you need to know:

• The Houston City Council voted 6-1 Monday to retain Carter Cole as mayor for his fourth full term. Jeffery Brasel was unanimously reelected deputy mayor.
• Cole first became mayor in 2022 and held the position until October 2025, when Jason Kahn was selected during a contentious council meeting. Kahn resigned as mayor in March.
• Houston's mayor can earn up to $3,200 per month, up from a flat monthly payment of $1,500. The increase, approved earlier this year, was the first change to the mayor's pay rate since 2009.
• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

Houston City Council member Carter Cole was reelected Houston mayor Monday as part of an annual selection process.

The council voted 6-1 to retain Cole as mayor, with council member Lisa Johansen voting no. Council member Jeffery Brasel was unanimously reelected deputy mayor.

Houston is a second-class city under Alaska law, a designation that requires the council to elect a mayor annually from among its members.

Monday’s election marks the start of Cole’s fourth full term as mayor. Cole attended the meeting via phone and will be sworn in during the next regular city council meeting scheduled for Nov. 12.

Cole first took office in 2022 following the sudden resignations of Mayor Virgie Thompson and Deputy Mayor Lance Wilson, who also served on the council.

Cole held the position until last October, when newly elected council member Jason Kahn was selected as mayor during a chaotic, hourslong meeting in which Alaska State Troopers were called to restore order.

Kahn resigned from the mayor role in March, saying he could not devote enough time to the job. He remains on the city council.

Houston’s mayor is paid up to $3,200 per month, depending on total hours worked. The council approved the increase earlier this year, replacing a flat monthly payment of $1,500 for at least 100 hours of city-related work. It was the first change to the mayor’s pay rate since 2009.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com