Alaska's open primary for governor concludes Tuesday, as voters decide which of more than a dozen candidates will advance to the general election. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will move on to November's ballot.
The race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has drawn a wide field, including former state Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, a Democrat, and business owner Bernadette Wilson, a Republican. Recent polls have shown Begich and Wilson among the front-runners, but several other contenders remain in contention.
Among the other notable candidates are Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state lawmaker, and former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, a Republican. The open primary format, which was approved by voters in 2020, allows candidates from all parties to compete on a single ballot, with the top four advancing to the general election.
This year's primary comes amid broader political dynamics, including the influence of former President Trump on Republican races. In other states, Trump's endorsements have faced mixed results, as seen in recent primaries where some of his preferred candidates lost. Alaska's race, however, has not centered on Trump, with local issues such as resource development, the state's budget, and the cost of living dominating the debate.
Begich, who served as the Democratic minority leader in the state Senate, has emphasized his record of bipartisan cooperation and his focus on issues like education funding and the state's fiscal challenges. Wilson, a relative newcomer to politics, has campaigned on a platform of limited government and economic growth, appealing to conservative voters.
Bronson, who was defeated in the 2022 governor's race, is seeking a political comeback, while Kreiss-Tomkins, who previously represented Sitka in the state House, is running as a progressive voice in the race.
The outcome of the primary will set the stage for the general election, where the top four candidates will face off in a ranked-choice voting system. This system, also approved by voters in 2020, requires candidates to appeal beyond their base to win a majority of votes.
As polls close at 12 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Decision Desk HQ will be tracking the results in real time. The race is expected to be closely watched, as it could provide insights into the political mood in Alaska ahead of the November election.
For more on the broader primary landscape, see our coverage of primary results in Florida and Wyoming, as well as how governor races are shaping up as a counterweight to Trump.
