The number of Democrats running for governor of Alaska grew to two on Monday as Anchorage state Sen. Matt Claman entered the race. Claman, an attorney, has represented West Anchorage in the Legislature for more than a decade and said in an interview his experience working across the aisle prepares him well for the top job in state government.
“I think that Alaska needs a person with my background and experience and balanced approach to doing what's best for Alaska,” he said.
Claman is a member of the 14-person Senate majority caucus that includes nine Democrats and five Republicans. He’s chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and in 2024 led the effort to pass a wide-ranging crime bill that, among other things, allows drug dealers to be charged with second-degree murder and allows prosecutors to avoid forcing sexual assault survivors to testify to a grand jury.
The bill included proposals backed by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who publicly praised it and signed it into law later that year.
Claman said he’d been “actively involved” in 21 pieces of legislation related to public safety. That’ll be one area of emphasis in his campaign, he said.
“I think we'll be very focused on improving public safety, quality education, strengthening the economy and being fiscally responsible in how we manage state government,” he said.
Claman said he supports an “affordable” Permanent Fund dividend. He said the state’s recent budget turmoil — which pushed dividends down to their lowest inflation-adjusted amount in history — will require the next governor to carefully prioritize his or her budget.
“I think we should pay an affordable dividend, but I also think we need to invest in our public schools and invest in public safety to protect our neighborhoods,” Claman said.
He’s the second Democrat to officially enter the race, following former Anchorage state Sen. Tom Begich. Begich has said he plans to step aside if former Congresswoman Mary Peltola, the last Democrat to win a statewide election, enters the race. It’s unclear if she will.
Claman declined to say what differentiates him from Begich — and also declined to make a similar commitment to exit the race if Peltola enters.
“Mary Peltola is not in the race today, and I'm entering because I believe I'm the best candidate for governor,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a very positive and engaged campaign.”
Claman said he does not plan to resign his Senate seat to run for governor.
Claman is the 14th candidate to formally enter the race. The top four vote-getters in the August 2026 primary, regardless of party, will advance to the ranked choice general election.
Candidates have until June 1 to enter the race. For now, the rest of the field includes, in alphabetical order:
- Democratic former Anchorage state Sen. Tom Begich
- Republican former Fairbanks state Sen. Click Bishop
- Republican former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson
- Republican former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum
- Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom
- Republican Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries
- Republican podiatrist Matt Heilala
- Republican Palmer state Sen. Shelley Hughes
- Republican author Henry Kroll
- Republican former teacher and Angoon resident James Parkin
- Republican former Attorney General Treg Taylor
- Republican former Mat-Su planning commissioner Bruce Walden
- Republican activist and business owner Bernadette Wilson
