John Yeager, 58, spent 16 years on the port commission before being tapped in June to fill the vacancy left following the resignation of Assembly Member Michael Ottesen. As the end of his appointed term draws near, Yeager is one of four candidates running for three-year terms on the borough assembly in the Oct. 6 election. The top two vote-getters will each win a seat.

Although he had been hesitant about joining the assembly when asked in the past, he said filling the seat temporarily gave him a good understanding for what the position requires.

“It’s certainly been a learning experience for me, and it’s been enough time for me to determine that I want to continue on,” Yeager said.

Originally hailing from a small rural farming community in Northwest Ohio, Yeager said his hometown was very similar to Wrangell. His career in the U.S. Coast Guard brought him to Southeast Alaska and he retired while stationed in Petersburg before moving to Wrangell in 2004.

After leaving the service, Yeager operated Alaska Charters & Adventures, which he owned with his wife Brenda Schwartz-Yeager until they sold it in 2025. That experience, he said, paired with his 22 years of living here, has given him a good understanding of Wrangell’s needs and capacity for growth.

“I have a lot of small business background from being a tour operator and a sport fishing guide in Wrangell,” Yeager said.

He said he doesn’t necessarily have a specific project or platform he’s running on, but rather wants to focus on helping Wrangell grow in a way that is sustainable for everyone. “The progress has to be a purposeful balance, so that we don’t hurt existing businesses and the things that made Wrangell what it is now.”

With his experience on the port commission and background as a vessel operator, Yeager said the port is a big priority for him and the future of its development. But most of all, Yeager just wants to be a part of the potential progress he’s seen come through the assembly and give back his time to the community.

“I’m here to volunteer my time, and I’d like to see good things happen with Wrangell and if the voters feel that I’m the person for the job, then that’s great,” Yeager said, “But if not, no harm, no foul. I’m just going to keep continuing on and do what I do.”