Who Is Running for Alaska Governor
Four tickets are on Alaska’s November 3, 2026 ballot for governor: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republicans David Bronson, Treg Taylor and Bernadette Wilson. None is an incumbent. Governor Mike Dunleavy has served two full terms, and the Alaska Constitution makes him sit out the next one (Ballotpedia; Art. III, Sec. 5).
Key facts
- Each governor candidate runs on one ticket with a lieutenant governor; a vote for one is a vote for both.
- Voters rank the four tickets, and the count goes round by round until one has a majority.
- The new governor takes office at noon on December 7, 2026.
- Overriding a governor’s veto takes 40 of the Legislature’s 60 members, voting together.
Tickets for Alaska governor and lieutenant governor on the November 3, 2026 ballot
Source: Ballotpedia, Alaska gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026, as of 2026-10-14
Alaska Governor Primary Results
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins led a 17-ticket primary on August 18, 2026 with 22.52% of 164,303 votes. Every candidate ran on one ballot, and the top four tickets advanced (Alaska Division of Elections, official results; AS 15.25.100).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins ticket | 22.52% |
| Tom Begich ticket (withdrew) | 20.8% |
| Bernadette Wilson ticket | 10.02% |
| David Bronson ticket | 8.13% |
| Treg Taylor ticket | 7.26% |
Source: Alaska Division of Elections, official results printed August 31, 2026. 164,303 votes; 12 other tickets are not shown.
Democrat Tom Begich’s ticket finished second, then withdrew. Under state law, fifth-place Treg Taylor took the open slot on the November ballot (Ballotpedia; AS 15.25.100). Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom also ran for governor but did not appear on the primary ballot.
The 2022 Alaska Governor Result
In 2022, Governor Dunleavy won 50.3% of first choices, so the ranked count ended in the first round. No second choices were needed (Ballotpedia).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Mike Dunleavy (R) | 50.3% |
| Les Gara (D) | 24.2% |
| Bill Walker (I) | 20.7% |
| Charlie Pierce (R) | 4.5% |
Source: Ballotpedia, certified results.
That race had an incumbent, and 2026 does not. This page carries no polls or race ratings.
The Alaska Legislature and the Veto
Republicans hold 11 of 20 Senate seats and 21 of 40 House seats; Democrats hold 9 and 14, and independents hold 5 House seats. The Legislature’s leadership pages list Republican Gary Stevens as Senate president and independent Bryce Edgmon as House speaker. Republicans hold both minority-leader posts (Alaska Senate; Alaska House).
The Legislature overrides a veto as one body. The two chambers meet in joint session, and 40 of the 60 members must agree for most bills. Spending and tax bills need 45 (Alaska Constitution, Art. II, Sec. 16). All 40 House seats and 10 Senate seats are on the November 3 ballot. The new Legislature convenes January 19, 2027 (AS 24.05.090).
What the Alaska Governor Can Do
Alaska’s governor signs or vetoes every bill and can strike or reduce single items in a spending bill. The governor also appoints the attorney general and other department heads, whom the Legislature confirms (Ballotpedia; Alaska Constitution).
Powers and limits of the Alaska governor
Source: Alaska Constitution, Articles II and III
How to Vote for Governor in Alaska
Alaska’s registration deadline for November 3 was October 4, 2026, 30 days before the election, and same-day registration does not apply this year (AS 15.07.070). Check your registration and polling place on the Division of Elections’ voter information page.
Alaska's 2026 governor election, step by step
- August 18, 2026 Top-four primary 17 tickets on one ballot; the top four advance.
- October 4, 2026 Registration deadline Thirty days before the general election.
- November 3, 2026 Ranked general election Rank the four tickets; counting starts after 8 p.m.
- December 7, 2026 Term begins The new governor and lieutenant governor take office at noon.
Our 2026 governor races guide covers all 36 races on the ballot this year, and our Alaska Senate race guide covers the U.S. Senate seat.
Alaska Governor Questions
Who is running for governor of Alaska in 2026?
Four tickets: Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republicans David Bronson, Treg Taylor and Bernadette Wilson, each with a running mate for lieutenant governor. Voters rank them on November 3, 2026.
Why is Mike Dunleavy not running for governor?
The Alaska Constitution bars a governor elected to two full terms in a row from serving the next term. Dunleavy’s second term ends when the new governor takes office on December 7, 2026.
Who won the 2026 Alaska governor primary?
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins’s ticket finished first with 22.52%. Tom Begich’s ticket finished second and withdrew, so fifth-place Treg Taylor joined Bernadette Wilson and David Bronson on the November ballot.
How does the Alaska Legislature override a veto?
The House and Senate meet together. Overriding a veto takes 40 of the 60 members for most bills, and 45 for spending and tax bills.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration and polling place on the Division of Elections’ voter information page.
- Learn how your ranked ballot is counted in our Alaska ranked choice voting guide, since a repeal measure is on the same ballot.
- Find your state legislators with the Legislature’s Who Represents Me lookup, and ask where they stand on the next budget.
- Read the full results of the primary in the Division of Elections’ official summary.