Alaskan candidates running for governor in 2026 are presented below in alphabetical order. Click on a candidate’s name to see their answer to the highlighted question below. Several candidates chose not to participate.
For many years now, the Alaska Legislature has been controlled by bipartisan coalitions in the State Senate and House, which have effectively marginalized conservative lawmakers and their proposed bills, while empowering Democrats and their allies. How will you advance conservative policies in Alaska through executive authority and influence, even without the Legislature’s help?
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Candidate answers begin below…
TOM BEGICH [D]
The candidate chose not to answer.
CLICK BISHOP [R]
The candidate chose not to answer.
DAVE BRONSON [R]
First and foremost, I will actively lead and work with the conservative caucus.
I will also use executive authority strategically by issuing administrative orders, directing state agencies, and prioritizing budget allocations to support life, liberty, and economic freedom. For example, I can expand support for small businesses, streamline permitting, and protect individual rights without waiting on legislative approval.
Second, I will leverage appointments and oversight. By appointing conservative leaders to boards, commissions, and key department positions, I can shape policy implementation, enforce state law as written, and block activist overreach.
Finally, I will engage the public directly through consistent office communications. Keeping Alaskans informed, empowering them to hold rogue legislators accountable, and building grassroots support for conservative priorities.
MATT CLAMAN [D]
The candidate chose not to answer.
ADAM CRUM [R]
Alaska’s governor has powerful executive tools even when bipartisan coalitions block conservative bills. I will aggressively use appointment power, only naming commissioners, board members, judges and staff who are committed to originalism, fiscal restraint, parental rights and resource development. I will veto bloated budgets and use line-item vetoes to cut ineffective programs, while redirecting agencies to enforce existing statutes in a way that respects the constitution, faith, family and work. Through executive orders and clear directives, I will roll back unnecessary regulations, prioritize law and order, innovatively develop our resources, and protect school choice and parental notification. Finally, I will take my case directly to voters – naming names, mobilizing Alaskans district-by-district, and helping elect a truly conservative Legislature so coalitions cannot keep killing the people’s agenda.
NANCY DAHLSTROM [R]
The candidate chose not to answer.
EDNA DEVRIES [R]
The governor has authority to prepare the budget, which the legislature can add to, but the governor has the veto pin, and the legislature has the opportunity to override.
We must work in the areas of the state where they are electing legislators who don’t have conservative views and platforms.
The Governor of Alaska has broad constitutional authority to issue executive orders and administrative orders, but each type has different powers and limits. The governor has used them during his reign, but the legislature has also overturned 8 out of 12 of his executive orders. One of the administrative orders would be to order efficiency reviews or audits.
MEDA DEWITT [NON/IND]
The candidate chose not to answer.
JESSICA FAIRCLOTH [NON/IND]
The candidate chose not to answer.
MATT HEILALA [R]
The candidate chose not to answer.
SHELLEY HUGHES [R]
Despite voters electing a majority of Republicans, Alaskans have watched Democrat-weighted coalitions for years kill conservative priorities. As governor, I will effectively use every tool at my disposal to deliver results.
If a blockade hasn’t been erected on an issue, I’ll use my open door and relationships to reach an agreement – without forsaking conservative values.
If a blockade is in place, I won’t wait on the Legislature but will use one or more tools such as the following:
— Executive orders, regulatory reform.
— Appointments, e.g., a F&G Commissioner who manages for more moose, caribou, fish for families.
— Budget process, line-item veto.
— Sunset Commission to right-size government in law.
— The bully pulpit (like no governor since statehood) to bring the public on board to pressure the legislature to win the votes, e.g., for a spending cap.
We need a governor who’s willing to lead using every tool available.
JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS [D]
The candidate chose not to answer.
HENRY F. “HANK” KROLL [R]
I would lobby conservatives to donate and vote for conservative candidates running for Senate and House seats. Then I will research to find out where the money is coming from that supports Democrat, left-wing agendas. If criminal enterprises like George Soros, Antifa or any left-wing organization are pumping money into the system to further this crazy nonsense, I will alert the news media and file lawsuits to stop it.
JAMES PARKIN [R]
True authority rightfully belongs to the people, not the entrenched bureaucracy. To restore this balance, I will implement a modern bully pulpit through Administrative Orders, mandating Feedback Access Reports (FAR’s) and One-page Accountability Reports (OAR’s). These tools ensure every Alaskan’s voice is heard and every leader is held to account.
With the power of the people behind me, I will demand a sustainable budget, the elimination of wasteful spending, and the absolute protection of the Permanent Fund and its full dividend. We will advance economic development, solve the homeless crisis, and defend our vital fisheries.
I will not waver. I will utilize the bully pulpit and the veto to force legislative alignment with conservative principles. Should non-conservative bills pass, I will deploy executive powers and AO’s to buffer their effects and protect our way of life. Learn more at https://www.jp4gov.org/. Join me in taking our state back.
TREG TAYLOR [R]
The candidate chose not to answer.
BRUCE WALDEN [R]
The problem with our government in general is we have many people who run as conservatives, but once elected, simply lean left. I’ve been saying throughout this campaign that we didn’t send these people down to Juneau to get along with the Left. We sent them there to STOP the Left. It makes folks uncomfortable, but the real truth is that if anyone from either party holds up their time in the House or Senate as proof of their ability to lead … well. not such a good idea. Be that as it may, to fix this we require new blood in Juneau. We have a major problem in the Republican Party of Alaska. Those like myself, who refuse to carry the party of the hierarchy, are excluded from the debates. Look at the ones that you are allowed to see online. You’ll see Candidate Walden being shut out completely.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This answer was cut off after reaching the 150-word response limit.)
BERNADETTE WILSON [R]
The candidate chose not to answer.
