2026 Elections: To the Midterms and Beyond!

[Jimjamesak]

A few updates on the drama in Alaska’s Governor race:

First off, Democrat Tom Begich, who finished second overall behind fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, has officially dropped out and endorsed JKT. Basically said “we believe in the same stuff, he finished ahead, let’s not waste resources and win this”.

Meanwhile, fourth place finisher, and second place Republican, former shitshow Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is refusing to drop out. That’s angered batshit crazy candidate Bernadette Wilson and some Republicans. I’m guessing the various donors can’t agree on who should go forward. Wilson has talked strongly about slashing the state budget even more which probably doesn’t sit well with the construction contractors that largely fund Bronson.

With Begich dropping out that would push fifth place finisher Republican Treg Taylor onto the final ballot… except Taylor is being disqualified for violating campaign finance laws. It remains to be seen whether his running mate and Lt. Governor candidate would move on alone or if the entire ticket would be out.

So, more drama to come!

There is more drama as Treg Taylor was indeed disqualified for breaking campaign finance laws. Taylor’s running mate Candice English became a Governor candidate and picked Taylor’s wife Jodi Taylor as her running mate. All done like an hour before the deadline.

In the Senate race, fourth place finisher and Democrat David Leslie dropped out of the race at the last minute, thereby promoting Republican Gerald Heikes into the race. Leslie dropped out last minute to basically fuck with the Republicans and give them no time to react.

 

[Jimjamesak]

How does the voting work in AK? Do you just pick one? Or rank your choices?

But essentially all candidates are on one ballot, right? (So incumbents, challengers, democrats, republicans third parties etc) are all on one list for each office and the primary narrows it down to the top 2 or 4?

I think it is a better system.

Two step process:

1. A primary where you vote for one candidate in an open primary with every candidate on the ballot (a jungle primary).

2. Top four vote getters move onto the General Election where you rank the candidates (Ranked Choice).

It is a far better system.

 

[Jimjamesak]

I saw all the "REPEAL RCV" signs when we drove through the little towns that look like the set of Northern Exposure.

Not surprised. Those are the GOP heartland after all.