Alaska’s gubernatorial race is shaping up as a closely contested battle following the state’s recent nonpartisan primary election, with two Democrats and two Republicans advancing to the ranked-choice general election in November. The primary outcome reflects Alaska’s complex political landscape, where despite a conservative lean, Democrats see an opening to capture the governor’s office.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state legislator from Sitka, emerged as the leading vote-getter among a field of 17 candidates, securing approximately 22.5 percent of the more than 164,000 votes cast. He positioned himself as a pragmatic leader focused on addressing Alaska’s fiscal challenges and reversing population decline by working across party lines. At 37, he would become the youngest governor in the state’s history if elected. Kreiss-Tomkins selected a nonpartisan member of the Anchorage Assembly as his running mate.
Following closely was Tom Begich, a former Anchorage lawmaker and musician with a notable political family background, who received nearly 21 percent of the vote. Despite his strong showing, Begich announced his withdrawal from the race, citing ranked-choice voting data that suggested consolidating Democratic support behind a single candidate would increase the party’s chances of winning. “What matters most is making sure Alaska gets a governor who will move us forward,” Begich said, emphasizing the need to unify Democratic voters.
On the Republican side, Bernadette Wilson, a conservative radio host and owner of an Anchorage waste management firm, captured about 10 percent of the vote. Running as a populist candidate, she advocates for small government, resource development, restoration of the full Permanent Fund dividend to residents, school choice, and government spending cuts. Wilson has called for Republican unity to ensure a strong mandate in the general election and has urged fellow Republican candidate Dave Bronson to consider stepping aside.
Bronson, a former Anchorage mayor and retired Air Force pilot, received roughly 8.1 percent of the vote. He declined Wilson’s overture to withdraw, citing her vote percentage as insufficient to guarantee a Republican victory. “We hear the calls for unity, and are answering them,” Bronson said in a social media video, affirming his intention to remain in the race, advocating for public safety, a full Permanent Fund dividend, and expanded development of natural resources.
The remaining candidates include former Attorney General Treg Taylor, a conservative emphasizing resource development and opposition to federal regulation, and former state legislator Click Bishop, who has maintained bipartisan ties and deep connections to organized labor. Both are Republicans and narrowly missed advancing to the general election.
This race comes as Governor Mike Dunleavy is barred from seeking a third consecutive term under state law, creating an open field not seen in nearly 25 years. The crowded primary field of 17 candidates featured a wide ideological range. While the two Democrats led in vote share, this was partly due to the presence of only two Democrats versus twelve Republicans, which split the conservative vote.
Despite Alaska’s history of voting for Republican presidential candidates, the state has seen bipartisan coalitions influence its legislature over the past decade, highlighting a political culture that often transcends strict partisan divisions. The general election will test whether this dynamic continues as voters weigh candidates from across the political spectrum.