| Election name | 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election |
|---|---|
| Country | Alaska |
| Ongoing | yes |
| Previous election | 2022 Alaska gubernatorial election |
| Previous year | 2022 |
| Next election | 2030 Alaska gubernatorial election |
| Next year | 2030 |
| Election date | November 3, 2026 |
| Before election | Mike Dunleavy |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
The 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor and lieutenant governor of Alaska. The primary election will occur on August 18, 2026 as a nonpartisan blanket primary, in which the four highest-placing candidates will advance to a ranked-choice general election.[1] Incumbent Governor Mike Dunleavy is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.
Candidates
Republican Party
Declared
- Click Bishop, former state senator from district R (2013–2025)[2]
- Running mate: Greta Schuerch, member of the NANA Regional Corporation board of directors and Democratic candidate for Alaska's 40th house district in 2012 (Independent)[3]
- Dave Bronson, former mayor of Anchorage (2021–2024)[4]
- Running mate: Josh Church, financial professional[5]
- Adam Crum, former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue[6]
- Running mate: Robert Craig, former healthcare executive[7]
- Edna DeVries, mayor of Matanuska-Susitna Borough (2021–present)[8]
- Running mate: George Hightower, artist and retired physician[9]
- Matt Heilala, member of the Alaska State Medical Board (2021–present)[10]
- Running mate: Jesse Sumner, former member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 28th district (2023-2025)[9]
- Shelley Hughes, former majority leader of the Alaska Senate (2021–2023) from district M (2017–2025)[11]
- Running mate: Blake Gettys, retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general[12]
- Hank Kroll, author[13]
- Running mate: Tommy R. Nicholson III[14]
- James W. "JP4" Parkin, lab technician and retired educator[15]
- Running mate: Ramadhani "Ram" Greer (Democratic)[14]
- Treg Taylor, former Alaska Attorney General (2021–2025)[16]
- Bruce Walden, former Mat-Su Planning Commissioner[17]
- Bernadette Wilson, waste management company founder[2]
- Running mate: Mike Shower, former minority leader of the Alaska Senate (2025) from district O (2018–2025)[18]
Filed paperwork
- Lesil McGuire, former state senator (2007-2017)[9]
Withdrawn
- Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor of Alaska (2022–present) and candidate for Alaska's at-large congressional district in 2024[2]
Declined
- Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator (2002–present) and daughter of former governor Frank Murkowski[19]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 1, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Click Bishop (R) | $283,606 | $163,347 | $130,259 |
| Dave Bronson (R) | $217,284 | $87,219 | $130,065 |
| Adam Crum (R) | $347,986 | $168,245 | $179,741 |
| Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | $17,810 | $12,930 | $4,880 |
| Edna DeVries (R) | $10,986 | $5,617 | $9,359 |
| Matt Heilala (R) | $1,364,237 | $354,757 | $1,009,480 |
| Shelley Hughes (R) | $306,510 | $147,798 | $158,712 |
| Henry Kroll (R) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| James Parkin (R) | $1,799 | $1,668 | $131 |
| Treg Taylor (R) | $880,310 | $155,679 | $724,631 |
| Bruce Walden (R) | $2,192 | $0 | $2,192 |
| Bernadette Wilson (R) | $305,985 | $241,190 | $64,794 |
| Source: Alaska Public Offices Commission[20] | |||
Democratic Party
Declared
- Tom Begich, former Minority Leader of the Alaska Senate (2019–2023) from district J (2017–2023) and uncle of U.S. Representative Nick Begich III[21]
- Running mate: Julia Hnilicka, former rural development state director of Alaska for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and candidate for Alaska's 6th house district in 2020[22]
- Matt Claman, state senator from district H (2023–present)[23]
- Sarah Skeel, former chief administrative officer of Providence Alaska Medical Center[7]
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, former state representative from the 35th district (2013–2023)[24]
- Running mate: Zac Johnson, Anchorage Assembly member for district 6 and a former Alaska State Trooper, volunteer firefighter and US Marine [25]
Declined
- Mary Peltola, former U.S. Representative from Alaska's at-large congressional district (2022–2025) (running for U.S. Senate)[26]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of February 1, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Tom Begich (D) | $347,806 | $132,849 | $214,957 |
| Matt Claman (D) | $229,408 | $12,586 | $226,202 |
| Source: Alaska Public Offices Commission[20] | |||
Independents
Declared
- Gregg Brelsford, attorney[27]
- Meda DeWitt, community organizer and traditional healer[28][9]
- Running mate: Christopher Steere, Dewitt's campaign manager[9]
- Jessica Faircloth[29]
Filed paperwork
- Bill Walker, former governor of Alaska (2014–2018) and candidate for governor in 2022[7]
- Running mate: Randy Hoffbeck, former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue[7]
Primary election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Tom Begich (D) | Click Bishop (R) | Dave Bronson (R) | Matt Claman (D) | Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) | Bernadette Wilson (R) | Other | Undecided | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 | Dahlstrom withdraws from the race | ||||||||||||||
| style="text-align:left;|Alaska Survey Research[30] | May 14–17, 2026 | 1,401 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 21% | 10% | 11% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 16% | 22% | ||||
| style="text-align:left;|Dittman Research[31][A] | April 27–30, 2026 | 451 (LV) | – | 21% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 13%[b] | 35% | |||
| style="text-align:left;|Alaska Survey Research[32] | April 16–19, 2026 | 1,612 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 19% | 9% | 10% | –[c] | –[c] | –[c] | 14% | 48%[c] | ||||
| style="text-align:left;|Alaska Survey Research[33] | March 19–22, 2026 | 1,061 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 19% | –[d] | 10% | 10% | –[d] | –[d] | 14% | 47%[d] | ||||
| style="text-align:left;|Lake Research Partners (D)[34][B] | February 5–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 22% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 9% | 14% | 8%[e] | 23% | |||
with Mary Peltola
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Tom Begich (D) | Click Bishop (R) | Adam Crum (R) | Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | Edna DeVries (R) | Mary Peltola (D) | Treg Taylor (R) | Bernadette Wilson (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:left;|Data for Progress (D)[35] | July 21–27, 2025 | 678 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 10% | 2% | 40% | 3% | 11% | 18% |
"Republican Primary Poll"[f]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | Mary Peltola (D) | Bernadette Wilson (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:left;|Cygnal (R)[36][C] | July 24–27, 2025 | 500 (LV) | – | 11% | 9% | 17% | 6% | 57% |
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[37] | April 16, 2026 | |
| Inside Elections[38] | August 28, 2025 | |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[39] | September 4, 2025 | |
| Race to the WH[40] | April 23, 2026 | |
| RealClearPolitics[41] | May 24, 2026 |
Polling
Tom Begich vs. Click Bishop vs. Dave Bronson vs. Bernadette Wilson
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Tom Begich (D) | Click Bishop (R) | Dave Bronson (R) | Bernadette Wilson (R) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=3 style="text-align:left;|Alaska Survey Research[32] | April 16–19, 2026 | 1,923 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 41% | 19% | 19% | 22% | — |
| 44% | 25% | — | 31% | — | ||||
| 54% | — | — | 46% | — | ||||
| style="text-align:left;|Lake Research Partners (D)[34][B] | February 5–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 38% | 8% | 13% | 16% | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | RCV round | Tom Begich (D) | Click Bishop (R) | Adam Crum (R) | Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | Edna DeVries (R) | Mary Peltola (D) | Treg Taylor (R) | Bernadette Wilson (R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data for Progress (D)[35] | July 21–27, 2025 | 584 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 1 | 8% | 8% | 5% | 13% | 3% | 47% | 3% | 13% |
| 581 (LV) | 2 | 8% | 9% | 5% | 14% | Elim | 48% | 4% | 14% | |||
| 575 (LV) | 3 | 8% | 9% | 5% | 15% | 48% | Elim | 14% | ||||
| 567 (LV) | 4 | 9% | 10% | Elim | 17% | 49% | 15% | |||||
| 562 (LV) | 5 | Elim | 10% | 19% | 54% | 16% | ||||||
| 544 (LV) | 6[g] | Elim | 23% | 58% | 19% | |||||||
| 491 (LV) | 7[g] | 35% | 65% | Elim | ||||||||
| 498 (LV) | 7[h] | 36% | 64% | |||||||||
| 539 (LV) | 7[i] | 41% | 59% | |||||||||
| 539 (LV) | 7[j] | 49% | 51% | |||||||||
| 562 (LV) | 7[k] | 44% | 56% | Elim |
Nick Begich vs. Mary Peltola
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Nick Begich (R) | Mary Peltola (D) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data for Progress (D)[42][43] | February 28 – March 7, 2025 | 1000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 46% | 46% | 5%[l] | 3% |
Nancy Dahlstrom vs. Mary Peltola
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Nancy Dahlstrom (R) | Mary Peltola (D) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data for Progress (D)[42][43] | February 28 – March 7, 2025 | 1000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 34% | 44% | 14%[m] | 7% |
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Treg Taylor (R) with 5%; Adam Crum (R) with 4%; Shelly Hughes (R) and Matt Heilala (R) with 2%
- ^ All 13 other candidates have less than 9% and more than 0%
- ^ All 13 other candidates have less than 10% and more than 0%
- ^ Shelly Hughes (R) with 4%; Matt Heilala (R) and Treg Taylor (R) with 2%
- ^ Survey asked only Republican voters. In Alaska, all candidates run on the same ballot in a "blanket primary."
- ^ Hypothetical continuation of elimination/distribution even though a candidate already exceeded 50%
- ^ Hypothetical scenario where voters whose fourth ranking is Click Bishop or Bernadette Wilson and whose vote is exhausted when those candidates are eliminated are instead distributed to Nancy Dahlstrom
- ^ Hypothetical scenario above while also distributing the vote of all Republican respondents whose vote was exhausted after eliminating 'Not sure' to Nancy Dahlstrom
- ^ Hypothetical scenario above while also distributing all votes exhausted when a Republican candidate is eliminated to Nancy Dahlstrom
- ^ Hypothetical scenario above while also eliminating Mary Peltola in the first round
- ^ "I would rank neither" with 5%
- ^ "I would rank neither" with 14%
Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by Bronson's campaign
- ^ Poll sponsored by Begich's campaign.
- ^ Poll sponsored by the Building Alaska PAC
References
- ^ "Primary Election Information". Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
Primary elections are held on the third Tuesday in August of even numbered years.
- ^ Brooks, James (May 14, 2025). "Third Republican candidate, Bernadette Wilson, enters Alaska governor's race". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (April 8, 2026). "Alaska governor candidate Click Bishop chooses Iñupiaq leader Greta Schuerch as running mate". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ^ Barnwell, Jack (October 2, 2025). "Dave Bronson, former Anchorage mayor, enters governor's race". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ Davidson, Joel (January 14, 2026). "Bronson announces lieutenant governor running mate". Alaska Watchman. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (August 12, 2025). "Former Alaska revenue commissioner is the 8th Republican to enter governor's race". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ^ Brooks, James (2026-05-28). "Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker files for possible run in 2026 governor’s race". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ^ Maguire, Sean (June 12, 2025). "Mat-Su mayor files to run as a Republican for Alaska governor". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (May 29, 2026). "Alaska gubernatorial candidates rush to announce running mates as deadline nears to finalize ballot". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ^ Stone, Eric (2025-07-16). "Anchorage podiatrist joins all-Republican field in 2026 Alaska governor's race". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ Stone, Eric (2025-07-25). "Palmer state Sen. Shelley Hughes announces campaign for governor". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- ^ Lehman, Haley (2026-05-01). "Alaska Republican gubernatorial candidate Shelley Hughes picks Blake Gettys as running mate". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ^ Courtney, Wil (2025-11-14). "Palmer senator to leave office Friday to focus on gubernatorial campaign". alaskasnewssource.com. Retrieved 2025-12-05.
- ^ "Candidates - Division of Elections". Division of Elections - State of Alaska. 2021-12-07. Archived 2025-10-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-05.
- ^ Larson, Clarise (July 16, 2025). "Angoon resident and former teacher launches bid for Alaska governor". KTOO. Archived July 16, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Pike, Josiah (September 17, 2025). "Former Attorney General Treg Taylor announces gubernatorial campaign". Alaska's News Source. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ Sabbatini, Mark (2026-01-12). "10 GOP gubernatorial candidates make their case at inaugural Alaska Young Republicans State Convention". Juneau Independent. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (September 10, 2025). "Bernadette Wilson chooses Wasilla senator as running mate in Alaska governor's race". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Meyer, Matt (2026-02-08). "Murkowski begrudgingly rules out an Alaska gubernatorial bid". CNN. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "APOC Online Reports". Alaska Public Offices Commission. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ^ Courtney, Wil (August 18, 2025). "Tom Begich enters governor's race, first Democrat to join crowded field". Alaska's News Source. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ Samuels, Iris. "Tom Begich picks former Biden official Julia Hnilicka as running mate in Alaska governor’s race". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ^ Rosen, Yereth (November 10, 2025). "Anchorage state senator enters crowded Alaska gubernatorial field". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ Brooks, James (February 4, 2026). "Alaska’s race for governor picks up 16th candidate, a former state legislator from Sitka". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ Lee, Hannah. "Anchorage assemblymember named as Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’ choice for Lieutenant Governor"
- ^ Rogerson, Riley (January 12, 2026). "Mary Peltola Launches Alaska Senate Bid, Marking Major Recruiting Coup for Democrats". NOTUS. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (March 25, 2026). "Anchorage attorney is the 18th candidate in Alaska’s governor race". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ^ Samuels, Iris (February 17, 2026). "Nonpartisan community organizer is 17th candidate to enter Alaska governor’s race". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ Brooks, James (February 6, 2026). "Among Alaska’s 16 candidates for governor is a ‘pissed off’ single mother of five". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ "BREAKING: New AK Governor numbers!". Alaska Survey Research. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ "The Bronson/Church campaign 'released' this poll from Dittman Research. Just one small problem, Dittman didn't create the slide, the campaign did. So they posted it again with no Dittman logo lol. And it also shows that even with the high name ID Bronson has, only 7% of respondents picked him. Very loose.". No. 2052240339893989446. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ^ "BREAKING: New Alaska Governor numbers!". Alaska Survey Research. April 23, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ^ "Alaska Survey Research". No. 2042329451116024117. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ^ Begich, Tom. "New poll just dropped 👀 Grateful for the growing trust and momentum across Alaska. Take a look at the new numbers ⬇️ #AKgov #AKleg". No. 2024967609838436558. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ "Mary Peltola Would Be Front-Runner for Alaska Governor". Data for Progress. August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Davidson, Joel (August 20, 2025). "Alaska's GOP candidates struggle with name recognition". Alaska Watchman. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolling". www.realclearpolling.com. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ Katz-Brown, Jason (2025-03-13). "Oil Taxes, Rural Subsistence, Public School Funding: These Are a Few of Alaska Voters' Favorite Things". Data For Progress. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
- ^ "Data for Progress March 2025 Crosstabs". Data for Progress. March 13, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites