Most Alaska Governor Candidates Commit to Juneau Residency

At a recent forum in Juneau, three of the four major candidates for Alaska governor pledged to live in the capital if elected, indicating a possible change in how state government may be conducted. The discussion, which took place on Wednesday, focused on whether the future governor would live and operate the administration out of Juneau, Alaska’s capital since statehood.

Background: Current and Former Governors’ Residence Choices

The issue of the governor's residence has attracted renewed attention late in Governor Mike Dunleavy’s administration. Dunleavy, who has served for eight years and cannot seek another term due to term limits, has maintained his primary residence in Wasilla, conducting most state business from Southcentral Alaska. His approach contrasts with past administrations, where governors often lived full-time in Juneau.

Positions of the 2026 Alaska Governor Candidates

During the forum hosted by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, three candidates—Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republicans Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson—stated their intention to make Juneau their base of operations if elected. Republican Treg Taylor was not present at the forum because of scheduling conflicts, and his campaign did not respond to questions about his plans regarding residency in Juneau.

Commitments to Restore Capital's Central Role

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins highlighted past administrations where the governor and agency heads lived in Juneau, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connectivity. He emphasized his commitment to restoring Juneau’s central position as the seat of government, indicating that he would encourage as many commissioners as possible to live in the capital.

Bernadette Wilson also expressed her intention to live in the governor’s mansion if elected, underscoring the influence and gravitas of the office when fully utilized in Juneau. She described hosting public events and state business at the mansion as part of her vision for the governor’s role.

Dave Bronson committed to residing in Juneau during the legislative session but indicated he would travel statewide to remain connected with constituents. Bronson said he would generally require department commissioners based in Juneau to also live in the capital but was open to flexibility if well-qualified individuals were based elsewhere, citing the example of the Department of Transportation’s commissioner living in Fairbanks.

Debate Over Alaska’s Capital Location

The question of where Alaska’s capital should reside has been long debated. Juneau is only accessible by plane or boat, leading some to argue for moving the capital to Anchorage to improve access, while others cite tradition and established infrastructure as reasons to keep it in Juneau. Attempts over the years to relocate Alaska’s capital have not succeeded, partly due to the high costs involved.

Dave Bronson himself previously co-sponsored a ballot initiative in 2019 to move the legislative session to Anchorage, which analysts estimated could have cost up to $42 million. However, the petition was not filed in time and the initiative did not advance. During the recent forum, Bronson acknowledged that the capital should remain in Juneau, stating, “So is Juneau the seat of government? Should it stay here? Yes, it is, and yes, it should.”

Implications for State Government and Administration

The candidates’ pledges suggest a possible return to practices of earlier administrations, with the governor and senior state officials residing in Juneau and reinforcing the city’s role as the hub of Alaska's government. The approaches vary in flexibility, particularly regarding cabinet members’ residence, but all three present candidates signaled support for maintaining or enhancing the presence of executive leadership in the capital.

Looking Ahead to Alaska Elections

The forum provided voters with insight into how the next governor may approach Alaska politics and governance, especially concerning the long-standing discussions about the governor's residence and the state administration’s presence in Juneau. As the Alaska elections approach, the candidates’ stances on maintaining the capital’s central role in the state government will likely continue to be a point of interest and debate.

Source: juneauempire.com.