Local elections for 12 seats across the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks and City of North Pole are over. All told, the 20 candidates in those races reported spending a total of about $300,000 this campaign season.

That’s according to disclosure reports they filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission in the week leading up to election day.

But did the cash pay off in wins? Not exactly. Here’s an overview.

Top spenders won only half their races

Some seats were uncontested this election cycle. That included Crystal Tidwell’s bid for reelection to the Fairbanks City Council, and the four-person race for four North Pole City Council seats.

Many candidates also filed forms to exempt them from reporting on campaign finances. People running for the municipal offices can d

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