Rick Mystrom

Richard Mystrom (born 1944) is an American politician, businessman, and author who served as the 32nd mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage from 1994 to 2000. He is a member of the Republican party.

Rick Mystrom
32nd Mayor of Anchorage
In office July 1, 1994 – July 1, 2000
Preceded by	Tom Fink
Succeeded by	George Wuerch
Member of the Anchorage Assembly from Seat D
In office 1979–1985
Preceded by	Bill Besser
Succeeded by	Bill Faulkner
Personal details
Born	1943 (age 81–82) Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	3
Residence(s)	Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.

Early life and education

Mystrom was born in Minnesota in 1944 and attended the University of Colorado Boulder. In 1964, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He moved to Alaska in 1972.^[1]

Career

In 1975, Mystrom established Mystrom/Beck Advertising. In 1982, he received the Small Business Person of the Year Award from President Ronald Reagan.^[2] In 1990, he sold his advertising business, which was later merged into the Nerland Agency.

Mystrom was elected to the Anchorage Assembly in 1979, serving until 1985.^[3] During the 1980s, Mystrom led the Anchorage Organizing Committee, which sought to bring the 1992 or 1994 Winter Olympic Games to the city.^[4][5]

In 1994, he defeated Democrat Mark Begich to succeed Tom Fink as mayor of Anchorage. In 1997, he withstood a challenge from Fink, a fellow Republican. Mystrom was widely considered the more moderate of the two Republican candidates.^{[citation needed]} In office, Mystrom emphasized crime reduction and championed the "City of Lights" beautification program, encouraging residents and employers to ornament their homes and businesses with decorative lights during Anchorage's dark winter.^{[citation needed]}

In the 2003 election, he challenged incumbent Republican mayor George Wuerch in a three-way race. Begich, who had unsuccessfully faced Wuerch in 2000, was elected.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

He has two sons, Nick and Richard, and a daughter, Jennifer, with his former wife, Mary.^{[citation needed]}