Bernadette Wilson, who recently announced her bid to become Alaska’s next governor, has just added two seasoned senior team members to her election campaign.

Veteran political strategist Paul Smith will serve as general consultant, and seasoned operations and campaign consultant CJ Koan is Wilson’s campaign manager. 

Both individuals played a role in Nick Begich’s successful run for Congress last year, and they bring decades of experience and winning records to Wilson’s growing team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Paul and CJ to our team,” Wilson stated. “Their proven leadership, deep knowledge of Alaska and national politics, and track record of delivering results make them invaluable additions as we enter the next phase of our campaign.” 

Smith is serving as general consultant. After graduating from Hillsdale College, he has built a national reputation for helping candidates win tough races. He managed Congressman Rod Blum’s 2014 race in Iowa, recognized by Politico as one of the top five political upsets nationally that cycle, and later served as Blum’s chief of staff. 

Since co-founding Rival Strategy Group, Smith has worked on some of the country’s most high-profile races, including flipping two Democratic strongholds in South Texas in 2022 and unseating Alaska incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola in 2024 as general consultant to the Begich campaign.

“I’ve been privileged to be a part of some incredible campaigns,” Smith noted. “And helping elect a bold, principled leader like Bernadette to lead Alaska into its next chapter is a challenge I’m extremely honored to take on.” 

Campaign Manager Koan is a longtime Alaskan and former FAA project manager and military liaison, combining technical leadership with political acumen throughout her career. After retiring with over three decades of federal service, she launched 137 Initiative, LLC, an administrative and political consulting firm based in Wasilla. Most recently, she played a critical behind-the-scenes role in Begich’s successful 2024 congressional.

Koan also served on the executive board of her Alaska Republican Party House District and was elected Region 2 Representative for the party. Additionally, she was appointed to the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission, where she served as chair. She currently holds the position of vice president with the Valley Republican Women of Alaska and remains an active and principled voice for strong conservative leadership and civic participation.

“Alaska is at a turning point, and Bernadette is the kind of leader who brings people together to solve problems,” Koan noted. “I’m excited to be part of a team that puts Alaska first and isn’t afraid to shake things up.”

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