Remember the last two of Alaska’s largest administrations, the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage, and you will certainly remember the gelding experienced through the “struggle sessions” of both the first term of Governor Michael J Dunleavy and the only term of Anchorage Mayor David Bronson. I went over them in Part 1.
The 2026 Gubernatorial “Beauty Pageant”
Today, we are greeted by a dozen Republicans who have declared or are preparing to declare their intent to run for governor in 2026. Among them are Click Bishop, Dave Bronson, Adam Crum, Nancy Dahlstrom, Edna DeVries, Matt Heilala, Shelley Hughes, James Parkin, Treg Taylor, Henry Kroll, Bruce Walden, and Bernadette Wilson. In other words, the full roster of the “I Would Like to Govern Alaska, Please!” club.
At this stage, it resembles less a political field and more the opening lineup of an Alaska-style beauty pageant, where the judging criteria lean less toward structural reform proposals and more toward who can smile warmly while saying, “I care deeply about Alaska’s future.” We saw a similar production during the 2016 Republican presidential primary; a crowded stage, many microphones, and very few knives sharpened for the actual work ahead with the exemption of Donald Trump.
Readers of Part 1 will appreciate the irony: the club’s name suggests governing power, but the structure of Alaska politics guarantees that none of these candidates, on their own, would be allowed to exercise it if and when elected. Candidates, please let that sink in. I am very open to a discussion on why and how you believe this will change if and when you take your hand off the Bible…