Fractured GOP field, candidate's improbable rise could clear path for a Democrat in Alaska governor's mansion
It's been more than two decades since Alaska elected a Democratic governor.
BY Nathaniel HerzSep 2, 2026
POLITICS & GOVERNANCE DESK
ALASKA GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
Behind-the-scenes reporting on Alaska elections, candidate money, City Hall, the state legislature, and public-interest accountability.
This podiatrist spent $325 per vote in his bid to be Alaska governor. Here's how the other candidates did.
Independent Bill Walker, meanwhile, spent a mere $10 to win each of his 7,333 votes.
BY Nathaniel HerzAug 30, 2026
This Democratic Socialist could cost Mary Peltola votes in November. But he says he’d actually boost her.
David Leslie, a longtime Fairbanks activist, scored a surprise fourth-place finish in preliminary results in Alaska’s U.S. Senate primary.
BY Nathaniel HerzAug 21, 2026
Opinion: Want to set your money on fire? Use it to boost Alaska’s false flag candidates.
Scott Kendall says efforts by incompetent Outside consultants are more likely to help the very candidates that they’re intended to harm — and in reality, the real-world impact will be nothing at all.
BY Scott KendallAug 15, 2026
An Alaska candidate for governor sparked a backlash by taking AI employees’ money. But he says he’s the opposite of an AI candidate.
“I absolutely should have seen this coming,” said Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
BY Nathaniel HerzAug 3, 2026
Alaska's 17 governor candidates have raised nearly $9 million. This chart shows who gave it.
Alaska's gubernatorial campaigns have raised nearly $9 million. We broke down where it came from.
BY Will KoeppenJul 27, 2026
Alaska governor's race survey: AI policy and news sources
Candidates weigh in on how they'd use AI in their administration, as well as safeguards they'd adopt.
BY Nathaniel HerzJun 25, 2026
Alaska’s 18-ticket gubernatorial race: The pundits weigh in
Need help making sense of the crowded field? Northern Journal has your back.
BY Nathaniel HerzJun 12, 2026
Alaska governor's race survey: how much should companies pay in oil taxes?
We also ask what album candidates would bring if they were stranded on the remote Bering Sea island of St. Matthew.
BY Nathaniel HerzJun 5, 2026
New independent group, 'Build the Damn Roads!', will support Alaska GOP governor candidate Wilson
The super PAC-type group hasn’t reported any fundraising yet, but it’s working with professional political operatives.
BY Nathaniel HerzMay 20, 2026
For Alaska’s gubernatorial candidates, a sprint to find running mates
The clock is ticking before a June 1 filing deadline.
BY Nathaniel HerzMay 18, 2026
Alaska governor's race survey: climate change and dinner guests
Candidates tell us how they'd respond to threats like typhoons and thawing permafrost, and with whom they'd want to dine — living or dead.
BY Nathaniel HerzMay 8, 2026
Alaska governor's race survey: health care costs, and candidates' own premium payments
Candidates tell us how they'd respond to threats like typhoons and thawing permafrost, and with whom they'd want to dine — living or dead.
BY Nathaniel HerzApr 20, 2026
Trawl allies fire back as Alaska candidates' anti-industry rhetoric heats up
Gubernatorial hopefuls are blasting Alaska's trawlers for catching salmon. Now industry allies have launched a radio ad campaign.
BY Nathaniel HerzApr 7, 2026
Governor's race survey: the PFD question. (And ferries.)
Candidates propose their PFD amounts — and tell us the last time they rode an Alaska state ferry.
BY Nathaniel HerzMar 23, 2026
Governor's race survey: How much money would you propose for schools? And: cars.
Candidates share what they'd propose for a per-student schools budget, and dish about their whips.
BY Nathaniel HerzFeb 13, 2026
Governor's race survey: Should Alaska spend millions more on its huge LNG project? Plus, Alaska books.
Many candidates say they'll make the $40 billion-plus LNG project a priority.
BY Nathaniel HerzJan 27, 2026
Alaska's candidates for governor weigh in on oil taxes, and how to cook fish
New from Northern Journal: a recurring survey of candidates for governor.
BY Nathaniel HerzJan 12, 2026
Lisa Murkowski weighs in on public broadcasting, transboundary mining and Peltola's options
Alaska's senior senator speaks to some of the major congressional debates from the past year.
BY Nathaniel HerzJan 2, 2026
Indigenous nation to get $7,250-per-person payments as a contentious mine advances upstream of Alaska
The Eskay Creek project is one of several prospective mines near the British Columbia-Alaska border, where the government and industry have promised new investments.
BY Max GrahamDec 23, 2025
Alaska’s governor said he texts Trump. I asked for copies.
"Give them all MY LOVE. Wow!" Trump said in one of his messages to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who says he tries not to abuse his access to one of the most powerful men in the world.
BY Nathaniel HerzDec 18, 2025
National Democrats are “salivating” over a Mary Peltola bid for U.S. Senate. But Alaska’s governor’s race could be “wide open” too.
The filing deadline for the 2026 elections is still nearly a year away. But Democrats in Alaska and Outside are anxiously awaiting a decision about which office Peltola will run for.
BY Nathaniel HerzJul 14, 2025
Above the Stikine River, the Canadian government is boosting a huge mining project you’ve probably never heard of
Canada’s federal government plans to fund a key road at the Galore Creek development, along a major salmon bearing river that flows into Southeast Alaska near the fishing town of Wrangell.
BY Max GrahamOct 21, 2024