One day after The Alaska Story reported that Alaska gubernatorial candidate Dave Bronson signed a document back on May 28 saying he would withdraw his candidacy if he did not win a majority of votes in the primary, Bronson has definitively stated that he’s not “backing down.”
The Alaska Story article noted that as part of the Republican Party’s pre-primary vetting process, candidates seeking support from House District 8 were asked if they would drop out of the race if they did not win the majority of votes for a Republican in the primary.
At the time, Bronson signed off on that pledge, which is what fellow GOP candidate Bernadette Wilson also vowed to do in order to avoid splitting the conservative vote in the general election this November.
However, the recent primary election resulted in Bernadette winning just 20.3% of the Republican vote and Bronson taking 15.9%. Although they were the top two GOP vote-getters, neither candidate garnered the “majority of votes” from Republicans in what was a packed field.
In fact, if both candidates agreed to follow the District 8 pledge, they would both need to drop from the race.
Given this situation, Bronson released an Aug. 26 video stating his intent to remain in the race.
“We are not backing down, we are not stepping aside, and we are not going anywhere,” he said. “We are staying in the race, and we intend to see it through.”
In an Aug. 26 email, District 8 GOP Chairman Robert Wall clarified that he does not expect Bronson to drop out of the race.
“I want to provide some clarity regarding the vetting document signed by Dave Bronson and the discussion surrounding his potential decision to remain in the race for Governor,” Wall explained. “The language in our District 8 document states that a candidate agrees to withdraw from a race where they have ‘garnered less than a majority of votes and where your continued competition with another Republican will split the vote.’ No candidate received a majority of the votes in this primary. In fact, no candidate received even a quarter of the statewide Republican vote. Under Alaska’s current top-four primary system, voters did not select a Republican nominee. Instead, the four highest vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.”
Wall noted that Alaska voters advanced two Republicans and two Democrats to the general election runoff. If one GOP candidate were to drop out, it would only result in another GOP candidate moving up into the top four, which would not reduce the number of Republican candidates in the general election.
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“There are so many candidates on the ballot that dropping out only advances another Republican candidate who had less support than Dave,” Wall observed. “As Chairman, I believe it is important to clarify our intent rather than allow one sentence from our 14-page vetting document to be interpreted without its full context. The question before Republicans now should be the same question that motivated this provision in the first place: Which candidate gives us the strongest opportunity to elect a Republican Governor in November?”
As things currently stand, the remaining gubernatorial candidates will be Bernadette and Bronson, along with Democrats Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich, who finished first and second in the overall primary vote.
The November 3 election will be conducted using the ranked-choice voting method, in which voters can rank candidates in order of preference. If a voter’s top candidate places fourth in the general, that candidate will be removed and the voter’s second-place choice will be counted in round two. This process continues until one candidate achieves a “majority” of the ranked-choice votes.
22 Comments
We need to vote for both Bronson and Wilson on our ranked choice ballot and specify which one is
our first choice and which one is our second choice and pray about this for confirmation. The Democrats no longer respect our Founding documents and America’s History. and they are very lost during this time period. Do not vote for any Democrat or independent or undeclared as when given a choice, they will vote with the Democrats, not the Republicans. Be careful of those who say they are Republicans but have lied.
100%
It is very disappointing to see Dave Bronson choose to ignore a written pledge made to the party and its voters. When you sign a document promising to withdraw if you fail to secure a majority of the vote, you are making a commitment to the overall success of the conservative movement over your own personal ambition. By stating that he is “not backing down,” Bronson is prioritizing his own candidacy over the very undivided success he pledged to protect.
The argument that the top-four primary system changes the math does not excuse a broken promise. The core intent of the District 8 vetting process was clear: to prevent a split in the conservative vote that could hand the governorship to a Democrat. While the technicalities of who advances to the general election may be complex, the principle remains that having multiple Republican candidates fighting for the same base of voters creates unnecessary division.
If the goal is truly to elect a Republican governor in November, then Bronson and any other candidates who failed to secure a majority of the GOP vote should step aside. Leadership is not about clinging to power regardless of the cost; it is about having the integrity to keep your word and the humility to step back for the greater good of the party. For the sake of a unified front, it is time for those who did not receive the most republican votes to withdraw.
That is not how it worked. Read the pledge, he isn’t breaking it. See the District Chair Wall’s statement. Don’t spread slander. Also don’t be foolish, if he steps aside then there are many more moving up most all of whom will split the vote.
Not so, Lance. Bronson could elect to drop out right before the deadline so as no other candidate would have enough time to have their name put on the ballot as previous mentioned by Bob Bird. Obviously you don’t know how the Rank Choice Voting game is played. I for one will not be voting for a spoiler. I’m sure more voters, like myself, understood that the least vote receiver would pull out of the race. Sounds like a simple technicality that Bronson is clinging onto. To me that shows the arrogance of a candidate that refuses to pull out, i.e. Lisa Murkowski vs. Joe Miller. And for that same reason I’ve never voted or supported Lisa Murkowski again. I think Bronson if he should ever decided to run again will take note of the sentiments of the Republicans that didn’t vote for him in the primary. Remember the elephant never forgets!
So you didn’t read the article it seems.
Steve, I don’t understand what you’re saying here: “Bronson could elect to drop out right before the deadline so as no other candidate would have enough time to have their name put on the ballot”. …how would that work? What is the 11th hour for dropping out, and how is it that the 5th place finisher would not automatically move up? I don’t understand how Bronson dropping out will prevent a vote split unless every other candidate drops out too.
In fairness to Bronson, Wall’s statement should be made known far and wide. Bronson did NOT make this promise to the entire state. He made it to the D-8 GOP committee. And only the D-8 committee is qualified to know what “intent” meant, made to them in a 14-page questionnaire. They alone have every right to release Bronson, even if the strictest interpretation was sought.
Robert, do you think the Bronson holds the same philosophy towards marriage? What if he moves to, or travels to, another state other than the one his marriage is licensed in? And besides, tell me how you have your name on every ballot except for one district?
Thank you for publishing this important clarification.
Anyone who pledges Something and then ignores it, is a liar. Never ever vote for a in your face liar. They are are proven corrupt. Vote,Wilson!
“At the time, Bronson signed off on that pledge, which is what fellow GOP candidate Bernadette Wilson also vowed to do in order to avoid splitting the conservative vote in the general election this November.“
Is it accurate to say they made the same pledge/vow? Bernadette promised to drop if she wasn’t the top conservative vote getter. Bronson wouldn’t join her in making that pledge.
Regarding the District 8 pledge, Wall points out, “The language in our District 8 document states that a candidate agrees to withdraw from a race where they have ‘garnered less than a majority of votes and where your continued competition with another Republican will split the vote.’ No candidate received a majority of the votes in this primary. “
Hence, Bronson is not breaking a pledge by refusing to withdraw. Furthermore, earning the most conservative votes and garnering a majority of conservative votes are not the same thing.
And lastly, does it make sense for Bronson to withdraw without the others withdrawing first?
Good points! Bronson staying in is not going to split the votes. If he loses to Wilson, his votes will to towards her count if people ranked Wilson first choice and Bronson second choice. People who won’t rank are only handing the win to a democrat.
Glad to see Bronson is staying till the last vote is counted in November 2026……..
The Alaska Story articles calling for consolidation do not make sense in the current gubernatorial race as it stands. If the two Dems (JKT. Begich) stay in and the two Republicans (Wilson, Bronson) stay in as well I see that as a good thing for RCV strategy. Democrats and left leaning Independents are going to rank the two Dems and maybe even the weaker Republican just to keep their RCV ballots in play longer and to prevent them being “exhausted.” Phil Izon has suggested Republicans learn to play the RCV game as disgusting as it is for us to do. I think his point is a valid one the more I learn about Rigged Choice Voting.
This further highlights why we need to vote
YES on 2!!
This ridiculous RCV is a bane on this state and was designed and implemented for the benefit of the communists.
The democrats, thru the use of RCV, will love this upcoming divided GOP vote.
Dunleavy clone! Just get out!
No Dave Maxwell, I fail to see any comparison to the Crime Boss Dunleavy. Dunleavy is a Democrat turned Republican to get elected and a man that never had the intestinal fortitude to take an oath in the military or make that decision. Dunleavy has consistently lied and dishonored the State of Alaska by hiring only people who lie for him and cover his crimes against the residents of this state. Dunleavy has openly created offices that fail to report o the “people” of Alaska and refuse to be audited because of fear of accountability. Dunleavy has thieved every fund he can get ahold of and failed to have e budget every year he has been in his position. Dunleavy is the epitome of fraud, waste and abuse.
Why is this so hard to see?
SOMEONE is going to be listed 4th on that ballot in November! Bronson dropping out wouldn’t change that.
Everybody gets 2 votes: #1 and #2.
The silly people who refuse to vote a second choice in order to “protest” the rank ranked choice voting system are simply playing into the trick.
I voted for a different person in the primary, but in November I’m going to vote Wilson and then Bronson…or maybe the other way round…it hardly matters to me at this point…but I’m certainly not going to waste my vote when everybody else gets two!
We have to vote this SYSTEM out to change things, (yes on 2).
PLEASE RANK BOTH REPUBLICAN OPTIONS
What if the Dem candidate gets more than 50% because they dems won’t have a divided vote? Now we’ve just split the republican vote gambling the dems don’t get above 50%, and there will be no more rounds. It’s a gamble either way you play it. Only the top republican vote getter should remain in the race. This way it is a two candidate reace.
Poor Republican turnout in the primary was an obvious issue. Please, Republicans – GET OUT AND VOTE in November.
Don’t stay home – don’t be lazy – get to the polls. (let’s prove Princess Lisa wrong – we can go to the polls to place our vote like we use to do with every election!!!)
This is a very important time for our state and country.
until we get rid of stANky Ranky voting – (p.s. memorize and repeat for your friends: Get Rid of RCV? vote YES!!! YES!! YES!)
******* Vote 2 times::: one vote for your fav – one vote for your second fav. ********* (per race)
Spend both your votes! Saving one will not advance your fav candidate –
Democrats clearly know this. Wake up!!!