17 candidates are vying to be the next Governor of Alaska in this year’s open primary election. The primary election is Aug. 18 and voters will each pick one candidate. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance from there to the general election on Nov. 3.Here is a full list of all gubernatorial candidates running in this year's election after the June 1 filing deadline:- Former state Sen. Tom Begich (Democrat) and Lt. Gov. candidate Julia Hnilicka
- Former state Sen. Click Bishop (Republican), and Lt. Gov. candidate Greta Schuerch
- Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Josh Church
- Current state Sen. Matt Claman (Democrat) and Lt. Gov. candidate Sarah Skeel
- Former state revenue commissioner Adam Crum (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Robert “Bob” Craig
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate George B. Hightower
- Organizer Meda DeWitt (nonpartisan) with Lt. Gov. candidate Christopher Steere
- Anchorage podiatrist and state medical board member Matt Heilala (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Jesse Sumner
- Former state Sen. Shelley Hughes (Republican), and Lt. Gov. candidate Blake Gettys
- Former state Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (Democrat) and Lt. Gov. candidate Zac Johnson
- Author Hank Kroll (Registered Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Tommy Nicholson III
- Former state Sen. Lesil McGuire (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Elizabeth Rexford
- Angoon resident and former teacher James William Parkin IV (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Ramadhani Greer
- Destry Payne (Undeclared) with Lt. Gov. candidate Cliff Silvers
- Former Attorney General Treg Taylor (Republican) and CEO Candi English
- Businesswoman Bernadette Wilson (Republican) and Lt. Gov. candidate Mike Shower
- Former Gov. Bill Walker (Nonpartisan) and Lt. Gov. candidate Randy Hoffbeck
And for information on the rest of the seats up for grabs in this year's election, check out
the 2026 voter guide here, brought to you by the Alaska Beacon staff, in a collaboration with Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Public Media and KTOO.
Homer Chamber of CommerceDuring a public candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 6, the three candidates gave opening statements, answered a variety of questions from the panelists and audience members, and gave closing statements.You can listen to the audio and read the full transcript from the 90-minute-long forum below, or watch the Zoom recording from the Homer Chamber of Commerce.
Katherine Irving/KMXTThe unofficial election results from the 2026 Kodiak City and Kodiak Island Borough municipal election are in, although they aren’t expected to be certified until later this month.
Both Alaska U.S. Senate candidates called for changes to federal fishery management. U.S. House candidates explicitly blamed bycatch for low salmon runs in Western Alaska.
All six candidates pushed for the sale of Borough land and the development of non-fisheries industries in Kodiak’s economy, like the spaceport and tourism.
Candidates shared opening statements, answers to questions that were crafted by KMXT's news team with help from KVOK and the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, as well as their closing statements. Both the audio and transcript are included in this post. And the link to the Kodiak Island Borough's YouTube video is posted here as well.
On this week's episode with host Jared Griffin and KMXT's News Director Davis Hovey, we break down what voters can expect from the upcoming candidate forum and fisheries debates.Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the local candidate forum for Kodiak Island Borough Assembly candidates.Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 7 p.m. to about 9 p.m. is the Gubernatorial fisheries debate andSaturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the Congressional fisheries debate with candidates from both the U.S. House of Rep. and U.S. Senate.
This year’s election features three candidates that are running for Senate District C in the Alaska Legislature to represent Kodiak Island, Homer and parts of the Kenai Peninsula. Listen to KMXT's conversation from Aug. 20 with one of those candidates: Republican Louise Stutes of Kodiak.
This year’s election features three candidates that are running for Senate District C in the Alaska Legislature to represent Kodiak Island, Homer and parts of the Kenai Peninsula. Listen to KMXT's conversation from Aug. 6 with one of those candidates: Republican Heath Smith of Homer.
This year’s election features three candidates that are running for Senate District C in the Alaska Legislature to represent Kodiak Island, Homer and parts of the Kenai Peninsula. Listen to KMXT’s conversation with one of those candidates by phone earlier this month: Republican Carrie Harris of Anchor Point.
After yesterday’s filing deadline passed, nine candidates are on the October election ballot running for Kodiak Island Borough Assembly seats. Only two filed for City Council seats.
Alaska Public Media is interviewing the top candidates for governor ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Hear or read our full interview with Bernadette Wilson here:
17 candidates are vying to be the next Governor of Alaska in this year’s open primary election. One of those candidates is former governor, Independent Bill Walker. Listen to KMXT's interview with Walker during his visit to Kodiak on Aug. 11.
