2026 Alaska gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
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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]
- Dave Bronson, former mayor of Anchorage (2021–2024)[3]
- Running mate: Josh Church, financial professional[4]
- Adam Crum, former commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue[5]
- Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor of Alaska (2022–present) and candidate for Alaska's at-large congressional district in 2024[2]
- Edna DeVries, mayor of Matanuska-Susitna Borough (2021–present)[6]
- Matt Heilala, member of the Alaska State Medical Board (2021–present)[7]
- Shelley Hughes, former majority leader of the Alaska Senate (2021–2023) from district M (2017–2025)[8]
- Hank Kroll, author[9]
- Running mate: Tommy R. Nicholson III[10]
- James Parkin, lab technician[11]
- Treg Taylor, former Alaska Attorney General (2021–2025)[12]
- Bernadette Wilson, waste management company founder[2]
- Running mate: Mike Shower, former minority leader of the Alaska Senate (2025–2025) from district O (2018–2025)[13]
Declined
- Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator (2002–present) and daughter of former governor Frank Murkowski[14]
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[15]
- Matt Claman, state senator from district H (2023–present)[16]
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, former state representative from the 35th district (2013–2023)[17]
Declined
- Mary Peltola, former U.S. Representative from Alaska's at-large congressional district (2022–2025) (running for U.S. Senate)[18]
Independents
Declared
Primary election
Endorsements
Bernadette Wilson (R)
- U.S. representatives
- Byron Donalds, FL-19 (2021–present)[21]
- Statewide officials
- Craig Campbell, former lieutenant governor of Alaska (2009–2010)[22]
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) |
Matt Heilala (R) |
Shelly Hughes (R) |
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) |
Treg Taylor (R) |
Bernadette Wilson (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Research Partners (D)[23][A] | February 5–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 22% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 2% | 4% | 9% | 2% | 14% | 23% |
Hypothetical polling
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data for Progress (D)[24] | July 21–27, 2025 | 678 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 10% | 2% | 40% | 3% | 11% | 18% |
"Republican Primary Poll"[b]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Nancy Dahlstrom (R) |
Mary Peltola (D) |
Bernadette Wilson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R)[25][B] | July 24–27, 2025 | 500 (LV) | – | 11% | 9% | 17% | 6% | 57% |
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[26] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[27] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[28] | Likely R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[29] | Tilt R | February 23, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Research Partners (D)[23][A] | February 5–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 38% | 8% | 13% | 16% | 25% |
Hypothetical polling
| 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)[24] | 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[c] | Elim | 23% | 58% | 19% | |||||||
| 491 (LV) | 7[c] | 35% | 65% | Elim | ||||||||
| 498 (LV) | 7[d] | 36% | 64% | |||||||||
| 539 (LV) | 7[e] | 41% | 59% | |||||||||
| 539 (LV) | 7[f] | 49% | 51% | |||||||||
| 562 (LV) | 7[g] | 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)[30][31] | February 28 – March 7, 2025 | 1000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 46% | 46% | 5%[h] | 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)[30][31] | February 28 – March 7, 2025 | 1000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 34% | 44% | 14%[i] | 7% |
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Survey asked only Republican voters. In Alaska, all candidates run on the same ballot in a "blanket primary."
- ^ a b 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
References
- ^ "Primary Election Information". Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
Primary elections are held on the third Tuesday in August of even numbered years.
- ^ a b c Brooks, James (May 14, 2025). "Third Republican candidate, Bernadette Wilson, enters Alaska governor's race". Alaska Beacon. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Maguire, Sean (June 12, 2025). "Mat-Su mayor files to run as a Republican for Alaska governor". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Stone, Eric (July 16, 2025). "Anchorage podiatrist joins all-Republican field in 2026 Alaska governor's race". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Stone, Eric (July 25, 2025). "Palmer state Sen. Shelley Hughes announces campaign for governor". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Courtney, Wil (November 14, 2025). "Palmer senator to leave office Friday to focus on gubernatorial campaign". alaskasnewssource.com. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates - Division of Elections". Division of Elections - State of Alaska. December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ Larson, Clarise (July 16, 2025). "Angoon resident and former teacher launches bid for Alaska governor". KTOO. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. 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.
- ^ 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 (February 8, 2026). "Murkowski begrudgingly rules out an Alaska gubernatorial bid". CNN. Retrieved February 8, 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rogerson, Riley (January 12, 2026). "Mary Peltola Launches Alaska Senate Bid, Marking Major Recruiting Coup for Democrats". NOTUS. Retrieved January 12, 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.
- ^ Downing, Suzanne (June 8, 2025). "Video: Congressman Byron Donalds endorses Bernadette Wilson for governor of Alaska at rally". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ Downing, Suzanne (July 8, 2025). "Former Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell joins Bernadette Wilson campaign, calls her the leader Alaska needs". Must Read Alaska. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Begich, Tom [@TomBegich4AK] (February 20, 2026). "New poll just dropped 👀 Grateful for the growing trust and momentum across Alaska. Take a look at the new numbers ⬇️ #AKgov #AKleg" (Tweet). Retrieved February 23, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ a b "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 February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Katz-Brown, Jason (March 13, 2025). "Oil Taxes, Rural Subsistence, Public School Funding: These Are a Few of Alaska Voters' Favorite Things". Data For Progress. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Data for Progress March 2025 Crosstabs" (PDF). Data for Progress. March 13, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites
- Tom Begich (D) for Governor
- Click Bishop (R) for Governor
- Dave Bronson (R) for Governor
- Matt Claman (D) for Governor
- Adam Crum (R) for Governor
- Nancy Dahlstrom (R) for Governor
- Edna DeVries (R) for Governor
- Meda DeWitt (I) for Governor
- Matt Heilala (R) for Governor
- Shelley Hughes (R) for Governor
- Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) for Governor
- James Parkin (R) for Governor
- Treg Taylor (R) for Governor
- Bernadette Wilson (R) for Governor