Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new information from the Alaska Outdoor Council explaining why it endorsed Adam Crum over Dave Bronson in the gubernatorial race.
Back in February, the membership of the Alaska Outdoor Council voted overwhelmingly to back Dave Bronson for governor. The board members, however, decided to give the group’s official endorsement to Adam Crum.
Recognized as the state’s most influential outdoor advocacy and conservation group, the Alaska Outdoor Council represents thousands of Alaskans from around the state, working to preserve hunting, fishing, trapping and public access to land across Alaska.
The Bronson campaign thanked the membership for choosing him as their top gubernatorial candidate in the February poll, while questioning the board’s decision to back Crum with the recent endorsement.
“We are proud to learn that Dave’s shared values are reflected in the clear preference expressed by its membership in their membership poll,” the campaign noted.
The February 2026 membership poll had Bronson winning 33.85% of the vote, while Bernadette Wilson took second with 18.23%. Shelley Hughes came in third with 10.94% and Crum finished fourth with 8.85%. Seven other candidates all finished with far less support.
“We are incredibly grateful for the strong support shown by Alaska Outdoor Council members and humbled by the confidence they placed in our campaign,” the Bronson campaign stated. “It is disappointing that the Council’s board chose to ignore its own members and endorse Adam Crum, who received just 8.85% of the vote. When an organization’s leadership endorses a candidate who finished a distant fourth among its own membership, it raises serious questions about whose interests are being represented.”
The council issued its endorsement on June 25.
“The Alaska Outdoor Council is proud to endorse Adam Crum,” the endorsement noted. “Adam understands that Alaska’s outdoor heritage isn’t just a way of life—it’s the foundation of our communities, economy, and future. He has demonstrated a commitment to protecting public access, supporting science-based wildlife management, defending our hunting and fishing traditions, and ensuring future generations can enjoy Alaska’s great outdoors.”
On June 26, the Alaska Outdoor Council posted a message on its Facebook page to address the controversy surrounding its endorsement of Crum in light of the February membership poll favoring Bronson.
“The Alaska Outdoor Council is aware of a recently circulated poll, reportedly from February, that has been used in public discussion regarding the Board of Directors’ endorsement process,” the statement observed. “It is important to note that this poll represents less than a fraction of the total AOC membership. The Board of Directors made its endorsement decisions based on the current dynamics of the race, after careful consideration of the candidates and their alignment with the priorities expressed by member clubs and the broader membership, many of whom are directly represented by board members.”
The message also thanks Bronson for participating in the endorsement process and for his “continued passion and advocacy for Alaska’s hunting, fishing, and public access rights. We value his engagement and commitment to the outdoor community.”
7 Comments
Maybe Crum has friends on the board?
“Then fool’s approval stings.” – TS Eliot
The Alaska Outdoor Council board members include President Rob Mathews (Delta Junction), Interior VP Jennifer Yuhas (Fairbanks), Southeast VP Nicholas Orr (Juneau), Southcentral VP Michele Stevens (Anchorage), Treasurer Todd Clark (Big Lake), Secretary Cody McLaughlin (Wasilla), and At-Large Director Misty Holcomb (Wasilla) .The organization’s staff includes Executive Director Caleb Martin and Public Policy Director Rod Arno.
Alaska Constitution Article 1 section 19: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The individual right to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the State or a political subdivision of the State. [Amended 1994]
All bills and legislative actions ever done since the Alaska Constitution was created must be removed and those office holders who violated their oath of office by infringing must be removed including those who acted in concert.
Didn’t Cram used to work as an bureaucrat at tax department in Juneau? How did he demonstrated suport for “everything outdoors”?
Another compromised board endorsement?
I blame the Board for being weak and the dark money for taking advantage of their weakness. This is happening all over America with many Conservative candidates.
Bronson supports privatization of state lands. It’s ridiculous that the state gives out a bunch of cow tags in the Big Lake area because a lot of the land is private. It’s state law to get permission in writing to hunt on private lands. The State of Alaska is giving away state lands to the university which would cut off access to remote locations, remote cabins and hunting areas. By selling off state lands you’re losing access to recreational opportunities. Fish Creek Conservation in Big Lake is one example, people were cut off accessing their cabins because the Mat Su Borough leased the land for conservation and it’s a 150 year land lockup. Try hauling water to your cabin or building materials for maintenance without the use of an ATV or snowmobile. The Mat Su Borough wants to reclassify Borough land off the Deshka River as “watershed “ this would give the Borough Manager the authority to restrict the use of snowmobiles and boats in that area. The Alaska Outdoor Council made a good choice in choosing Adam Crum because under Bronson, Hughes and DeVries you’re at risk of losing access to remote locations.