Who is Dave Bronson and what is Bronson running on in the 2026 Alaska Governor race?
Dave Bronson (R) is on the ballot in the 2026 Alaska Governor race.
Answer from Mary's digital twin. Checkmark turns Green once she confirms it.
Dave Bronson is the Republican candidate for Alaska governor. Former Mayor of Anchorage (2021-2024) and retired Air Force/commercial pilot; finished fourth in the primary and refused to drop out. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The race
Chance of winning: Kalshi and Polymarket, Aug 30
- The seat: Open seat (Mike Dunleavy (R) term-limited); top-four ballot, ranked-choice general.
- Rating: Cook and Sabato rate it favorable to Republicans (per Newsweek, ~Aug 30, 2026).
- Polling: First round: Kreiss-Tomkins 40, Wilson 20, Bronson 14, English/Taylor 7, 19% other/undecided (AARP, 800 LV, released Sept 22, 2026); Kreiss-Tomkins wins final RCV round by 10 over Wilson. co/efficient (Sept 17): Kreiss-Tomkins 43, Wilson 20, Bronson 17, English/Taylor 6.
Why Bronson is behind
- Republican vote is split three ways (Wilson, Bronson, English) while Democrats consolidated after Tom Begich withdrew to back Kreiss-Tomkins.
- Kreiss-Tomkins leads first-round polls around 40 to 43% and wins the simulated RCV final round by 10 in the AARP poll.
- But Republicans together won ~49.5% of the primary vote, and the AARP pollster warned the undecided vote leans Republican, so second-choice transfers could favor Wilson.
- Voter dissatisfaction with term-limited Gov. Dunleavy and an aggressive, modern Kreiss-Tomkins campaign helped him to first place in the primary (22.5%).
What Bronson is running on
- PFD / budget. Says cuts alone cannot restore a full PFD.
- Education. School choice: state money should follow the child, via a constitutional amendment.
- Data centers / AI. Favors data center development with regulation.
- Pensions. Opposed HB 78, though open to defined-benefit plans with outside management.
In Bronson’s own words
“Some people will tell you that you can cut your way to a full PFD. You can’t do it.”
“We are not backing down, we are not stepping aside, and we are not going anywhere.”
The other candidates
Every race
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