The2018 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect thegovernor andlieutenant governor ofAlaska . In the primaries for recognized political parties, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately. The winners of each respective primary for governor and lieutenant governor then become a joint ticket in the general election for their political party. Incumbent Independent GovernorBill Walker was seeking re-election in what was originally a three-way race between Walker, Republican former Alaska state senatorMike Dunleavy , and Democratic former Alaska U.S. SenatorMark Begich . Despite Walker dropping out on October 19, 2018, and endorsing Begich, Dunleavy won in what was the only gubernatorial gain by a Republican candidate in 2018. As of 2024, this was the last time the governor's office in Alaska changed partisan control. Walker later unsuccessfully ran for governor of Alaska in2022 .
This was the only independent-held governorship up for election in a state thatDonald Trump won in the2016 presidential election .
Lieutenant governor [ edit ] Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary[ edit ] Candidates from theAlaska Democratic Party ,Alaska Libertarian Party andAlaskan Independence Party appear on the same ballot, with the highest-placed candidate from each party receiving that party's nomination.[clarification needed ] In October 2017 the AKDP sued for the right to allow non-Democrats to compete for and win the Democratic nomination, which was ultimately decided in their favor in April 2018.[ 8] This move was widely thought to benefit incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, to foreclose the possibility of a Democratic nominee splitting the vote with Walker against a Republican nominee. However, with the entry of former senatorMark Begich into the race, Walker withdrew from the Democratic primary and forged ahead with a fully independent bid for reelection.[ 9]
Mark Begich (Democratic), former U.S. senator[ 10] [ 11] William S. "Billy" Toien (Libertarian), Libertarian candidate for Alaska governor in2010 [ 12] Hypothetical polling
with Mark Begich
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Mark Begich Les Gara Chris Tuck Bill Wielechowski Undecided Harstad Strategic Research [ 13] March 22 – April 2, 2017 205 ± 2.2% 42% 15% 3% 8% 32% – 25% 5% 19% 51% 49% – 5% 12% 34% 43% 15% – 8% 34% 44% 19% 4% – 32%
Results by state house district: Begich—80–90%
Begich—70–80%
Begich—60–70%
Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary results[ 14] Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Mark Begich 33,451 85.3 Libertarian William Toien 5,790 14.8 Total votes 39,241 100.0
Lieutenant governor [ edit ] Debra Call (Democratic), Cook Inlet Tribal Council Board of Directors representative[ 15] [ 16] Results by state house district: Call—80–90%
Call—70–80%
Call—60–70%
Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary results[ 14] Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Debra Call 34,291 100.0 Total votes 34,291 100.0
Eliminated in primary [ edit ] Dorian Colbry Thomas A. "Tom" Gordon[ 12] Gerald Heikes, perennial candidate Merica Hlatcu Michael Sheldon Mead Treadwell , former lieutenant governor[ 18] [ 19] Robert Gillam , businessman[ 22] [ 11] Loren Leman , former lieutenant governor[ 23] Anna MacKinnon , state senator[ 22] (endorsed Mike Dunleavy)Peter Micciche , state senator (running for re-election to state senate)[ 24] Joe Miller , former magistrate judge andperennial candidate [ 22] Frank Murkowski , former governor of Alaska and U.S. Senator[ 25] Sean Parnell , formergovernor of Alaska [ 22] (endorsed Mike Dunleavy)Ben Stevens , former president of the Alaska State Senate, son of former president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, Solicitor of the Interior Department & U.S. AttorneyTed Stevens [ 26] Dan Sullivan , formermayor ofAnchorage and nominee for lieutenant governor in2014 [ 27] [ 22] (endorsed Mike Dunleavy)Bill Walker , incumbentIndependent governor (running for re-election as an Independent)[ 22] [ 11] Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Mike Dunleavy Scott Hawkins Mead Treadwell Other Undecided Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska)[ 28] June 5–7, 2018 400 ± 4.9% 46% 7% 19% 3% 25%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error John Binkley Mike Dunleavy Peter Miccici Joe Miller Bill Walker Other Undecided Harstad Strategic Research [ 29] March 22 – April 2, 2017 281 ± 2.2% 7% 6% 4% 25% 19% 3%[ 30] 36% 9% 8% 6% 29% – 4%[ 31] 46% 8% 10% 5% – 25% 4%[ 31] 48% – – – 33% 21% – 46%
Results by state house district: Dunleavy—80–90%
Dunleavy—70–80%
Dunleavy—60–70%
Dunleavy—50–60%
Dunleavy—40–50%
Dunleavy—30–40%
Treadwell—40–50%
Lieutenant governor [ edit ] Results by state house district: Meyer—50–60%
Meyer—40–50%
Meyer—30–40%
Meyer—<30%
Grunwald—<30%
Grunwald—30–40%
Grunwald—40–50%
Stevens—<30%
Stevens—50–60%
Jackson—<30%
Independent candidate and incumbent governorBill Walker announced on October 19 that he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Mark Begich, three days after Walker's running mate and incumbent lieutenant governorByron Mallott resigned from office (and amid low polling numbers just three weeks before election day).[ 43] [ 44] However, Walker and Mallott still remained on the ballot, as the deadline to withdraw was September 4.[ 45]
Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report [ 46] Lean R(flip) October 26, 2018 The Washington Post [ 47] Tossup November 5, 2018 FiveThirtyEight [ 48] Lean R(flip) November 5, 2018 Rothenberg Political Report [ 49] Tilt R(flip) November 1, 2018 Sabato's Crystal Ball [ 50] Lean R(flip) November 5, 2018 RealClearPolitics [ 51] Tossup November 4, 2018 Daily Kos [ 52] Lean R(flip) November 5, 2018 Fox News [ 53] [ a] Tossup November 5, 2018 Politico [ 54] Lean R(flip) November 5, 2018 Governing [ 55] Tossup November 5, 2018
Notes ^ The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races Mark Begich (D)
Statewide and local politicians Individuals Labor unions Organizations Mike Dunleavy (R)
U.S. executive branch officials Federal politicians State and local politicians Individuals Organizations Alaska Native corporations Bill Walker (I) (withdrew) (endorsed Begich)
with Bill Walker (campaign suspended), Mike Dunleavy, and Mark Begich
%support 0 10 20 30 40 50 6/15/2018 8/16/2018 10/12/2018 10/29/2018 Dunleavy Begich Walker Toien Other/Undecided Opinion polling for the 2018 Alaska gubernat...
Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Margin of error Bill Walker (I) Mike Dunleavy (R) Mark Begich (D) Billy Toien (L) Other Undecided Alaska Survey Research [ 86] October 26–29, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 8% 43% 42% 3% – 4% Alaska Survey Research [ 87] October 19–22, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 5% 48% 44% – – 3% Alaska Survey Research [ 88] October 12–14, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 27% 43% 26% – – 4% Public Policy Polling (D)[ 89] October 11–12, 2018 645 – 24% 43% 23% – – 9% Alaska Survey Research [ 90] October 1–6, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 27% 47% 23% – – 4% Alaska Survey Research [ 91] September 21–25, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 23% 44% 29% – – 4% Harstad Strategic Research [ 92] August 13–16, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 26% 36% 24% – 2% 12% Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker)[ 93] June 22–28, 2018 800 ± 3.4% 28% 36% 22% – – 15% Harstad Strategic Research (D)[ 94] June 21–26, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 28% 32% 28% – – 12% Alaska Survey Research [ 95] June 15–21, 2018 654 ± 3.8% 23% 38% 33% – – 6%
with Mark Begich and Mike Dunleavy
Hypothetical polling
with Bill Walker and Mike Dunleavy
with Bill Walker and Mark Begich
Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Independent to Republican [ edit ] Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Independent to Democratic [ edit ] Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Republican to Democratic [ edit ]
^a b "Gov. Walker to enter Democratic primary in re-election bid" . Associated Press. May 6, 2018. Archived fromthe original on May 8, 2018. RetrievedMay 22, 2018 .^ Juneau, Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Public Media & KTOO - (April 5, 2018)."Yes, independents can run in Democratic primary, says Alaska Supreme Court" . RetrievedMay 22, 2018 . {{cite web }}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )^ Klint, Chris (June 1, 2018)."Walker won't run in Democratic primary" .KTVA . Archived fromthe original on June 7, 2018. RetrievedJune 2, 2018 . ^ Zak, Annie (October 19, 2018)."Gov. Bill Walker drops out of campaign for Alaska governor" .Anchorage Daily News . RetrievedOctober 20, 2018 . ^ Kelly, Caroline."Alaska Gov. Bill Walker suspends re-election bid" .CNN . RetrievedNovember 8, 2018 . ^ Maguire, Sean."Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott files letter of intent for re-election" . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 . ^ Zak, Annie (October 19, 2018)."Gov. Bill Walker drops out of campaign for Alaska governor" .Anchorage Daily News . RetrievedOctober 19, 2018 . ^ Hertz, Nathaniel (April 4, 2018)."Independents can run in party primaries, Alaska Supreme Court says, opening door for Gov. Walker" .Anchorage Daily News . ^ Bohrer, Becky (June 2, 2018)."Former Sen. Begich to challenge Walker for Alaska governor" .Associated Press . ^ Herz, Nathaniel (April 30, 2016)."Fear of a Begich bid for governor looms large over Alaska GOP convention" .Alaska Dispatch News . RetrievedJuly 19, 2016 . ^a b c Herz, Nathaniel (May 28, 2017)."As some drop hints about running for Alaska governor in 2018, Walker remains a wild card" .Alaska Dispatch News . RetrievedMay 29, 2017 . ^a b "2018 Primary Candidate List" .Alaska Division Of Elections . Archived fromthe original on March 30, 2017. RetrievedJune 2, 2018 .^ Harstad Strategic Research ^a b c d "GEMS ELECTION RESULTS" .www.elections.alaska.gov . RetrievedFebruary 19, 2023 .^a b c "Alaska lieutenant governor candidate says she is running with Begich in Democratic primary" .Anchorage Daily News . June 1, 2018. RetrievedJune 1, 2018 .^a b Mauer, Richard (June 8, 2018)."Blatchford drops out of race for lieutenant governor" .KTUU News . RetrievedJune 9, 2018 . ^ "Dunleavy jumps back in governors race" .Must Read Alaska . December 21, 2017. RetrievedDecember 21, 2017 .^ "Mead Treadwell confirms gubernatorial run" . Archived fromthe original on June 15, 2018. RetrievedFebruary 19, 2023 .^ Alaska Republican Party (August 21, 2018)."State of Alaska Official Ballot" (PDF) .www.elections.alaska.gov/ . Alaska Division of Elections. ^ "Breaking: Hawkins files for governor; focus will be on economy, dividends, crime - Must Read Alaska" .Must Read Alaska . September 21, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 25, 2017 .^ DeMarban, Alex (July 2, 2018)."Republican Scott Hawkins withdraws from Alaska governor's race, citing entry of Treadwell" .Anchorage Daily News . RetrievedAugust 10, 2018 . ^a b c d e f Reynolds, Casey (February 1, 2017)."Game Theory: The One Question That Could Decide Who Alaska's Next Governor Will Be" .The Midnight Sun . RetrievedFebruary 2, 2017 . ^ Reynolds, Casey (February 17, 2017)."Friday in the Sun!!! (February 17)" .The Midnight Sun . RetrievedFebruary 24, 2017 . ^ "Letter of Intent Form" .aws.state.ak.us . RetrievedSeptember 12, 2017 .^ Herz, Nathaniel (June 11, 2018)."Frank Murkowski seriously considered running for Alaska governor again" .Anchorage Daily News . RetrievedMay 10, 2021 . ^ "ADN reports Ben Stevens contemplating run for Governor" .Alaska Dispatch News & KINY Radio . August 20, 2017. RetrievedNovember 13, 2022 .^ Buxton, Matt (June 16, 2016)."Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan withdraws from U.S. Senate race" .Fairbanks Daily News-Miner . RetrievedJuly 19, 2016 . ^ Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska) ^ Harstad Strategic Research ^ Mike Chennault 3% ^a b Mike Chennault 4% ^ "Lynn Gattis files for lieutenant governor - Must Read Alaska" .Must Read Alaska . August 4, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 .^ Hickman, Matt (September 21, 2017)."Grunwald, mother of murdered Palmer teen, joins race for Lt. Governor" .Alaska Frontiersman . RetrievedDecember 9, 2017 . [permanent dead link ] ^ Downing, Suzanne (April 12, 2018)."GOP Sharon Jackson files for lieutenant governor" .Must Read Alaska . RetrievedApril 15, 2018 . ^ Maguire, Sean (September 7, 2017)."State Senator Kevin Meyer files to be candidate for Lt. Governor, no running mate in mind" .KTUU-TV . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2017 . ^ Desroches, Kayla (August 1, 2017)."State Sen. Gary Stevens files to run for lieutenant governor" .Alaska Public Media . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2017 . ^ Brooks, James (August 2, 2017)."Kodiak senator is first to seek lieutenant governor's office" .Juneau Empire . RetrievedSeptember 8, 2017 . ^ "They are running on principle – just ask them" . March 15, 2018.^ "Heads and Tails: Campaigns, fundraisers, gaffes, and galas - Must Read Alaska" .Must Read Alaska . August 8, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 .^ Manning, Phillip (July 19, 2017)."Senator David Wilson files for lieutenant governor race" .Alaska Public Media . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 . ^ Manning, Phillip (July 20, 2017)."Senator David Wilson says he's not running for Lt. Governor, he filed by accident" .Alaska Public Media . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 . ^ Baird, Austin (July 20, 2017)."Freshman senator launches bid for lieutenant governor, scraps campaign a day later" .KTUU-TV . RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017 . ^ Hanlon, Tegan (October 19, 2018)."Gov. Bill Walker drops out of campaign for Alaska governor" .Anchorage Daily News . ^ Johnson, Kirk (October 19, 2018)."Bill Walker, Governor of Alaska, Suspends Campaign Amid Sinking Polls" .The New York Times . RetrievedOctober 19, 2018 . ^ Zak, Annie; Hanlon, Tegan (September 4, 2018)."Under pressure to withdraw, Begich reaffirms plan to stay in Alaska governor's race" .Anchorage Daily News . RetrievedOctober 21, 2018 . ^ "2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018" .The Cook Political Report . RetrievedApril 10, 2021 .^ "The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings" .The Washington Post . October 16, 2018.^ "2018 Governor Forecast" .FiveThirtyEight . October 17, 2018. Archived fromthe original on October 18, 2018. RetrievedOctober 17, 2018 .^ "2018 Gubernatorial Ratings | Inside Elections" .insideelections.com . RetrievedNovember 15, 2017 .^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor" .www.centerforpolitics.org . RetrievedNovember 15, 2017 .^ "2018 Governor Races" .RealClearPolitics . October 9, 2018.^ "2018 Governor Race Ratings" .Daily Kos . June 5, 2018.^ "2018 Midterm Power Ranking" .Fox News .^ "Politico Race Ratings" .Politico .^ "2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups" .Governing . Archived fromthe original on October 21, 2018. RetrievedJuly 18, 2018 .^ Buxton, Matt (June 28, 2018)."Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles endorses Begich in race for governor | The Midnight Sun" .The Midnight Sun . ^ Byrnes, Jesse (October 19, 2018)."Alaska governor Walker suspends reelection campaign" .The Hill . RetrievedOctober 19, 2018 . ^ Walker, Rhiannon (September 18, 2018)."Former First Lady Bella Hammond endorses Begich" .webcenter11.com . ^ Beltrami, Vince (October 22, 2018)."Alaska AFL-CIO Endorses Mark Begich for Governor" . Alaska AFL–CIO. Archived fromthe original on October 25, 2018. RetrievedOctober 25, 2018 . ^ Parker, Tim (October 23, 2018)."NEA-Alaska Endorses Mark Begich for Governor" . NEA-Alaska Political Action Committee on Education. Archived fromthe original on October 25, 2018. RetrievedOctober 25, 2018 . ^ "Mark Begich for Governor - The Alaska Center" .The Alaska Center . Archived fromthe original on October 19, 2018. RetrievedOctober 19, 2018 .^ "Alaskans Together for Equality Endorses Mark Begich for Governor" .Alaskans Together For Equality . August 24, 2018.^ Chris Klint (September 5, 2018)."APD's union backs Begich for governor" . KTVA. Archived fromthe original on October 9, 2018. RetrievedOctober 8, 2018 . ^ Cler, Jessica (July 27, 2018)."Planned Parenthood Votes Endorses Mark Begich for Governor of Alaska" .www.plannedparenthoodaction.org . Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii. Archived fromthe original on July 29, 2018. RetrievedJuly 29, 2018 . ^ Donald J. Trump.".@MikeDunleavyGov will make a fantastic Governor of Alaska. Mike is for Energy and Jobs, is tough on Crime, loves our Vets and our Great Second Amendment. Mike has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" .Twitter . ^ Brooks, James (October 23, 2018)."After Walker quits, governor race now 'down to the wire' " .Juneau Empire . ^a b "Congressman Don Young & Senator Dan Sullivan Support Mike Dunleavy as Alaska's next Governor" (PDF) .Alaskans for Dunleavy . October 22, 2018. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on October 26, 2018. RetrievedOctober 26, 2018 .^ Mike Dunleavy for Governor."Thrilled to have the endorsement of my colleague, Senator MacKinnon. Thank you Anna for your support!" .Facebook . ^ Kitchenman, Andrew (July 18, 2018)."Parnell endorses Dunleavy for governor" . KTOO. ^ Suzanne Downing (May 16, 2018)."Dunleavy signs three as state campaign co-chairs" .Must Read Alaska . ^ Craig Richards (November 5, 2018)."Opinion: Begich would tax, Dunleavy, cut. Whoever wins will have to act fast" .Juneau Empire . ^ Suzanne Downing (March 5, 2018)."Dunleavy gets a big endorsement from …" .Must Read Alaska . ^ "Mead Treadwell Endorses Mike Dunleavy for Governor" .Alaskans for Dunleavy . October 4, 2018. Archived fromthe original on October 26, 2018. RetrievedOctober 26, 2018 .^ Mike Dunleavy for Governor."I am honored to receive the endorsement of General Joe Ralston. He has been trusted with leading the Alaskan Command, NATO, and serving on the Joint Chiefs. His trust in me is humbling and inspiring" . Facebook. ^ Suzanne Downing (November 2, 2018)."Mao Tosi throws support to Dunleavy" .Must Read Alaska . ^ Suzanne Downing (October 31, 2018)."Alaska Forestry Association endorses Dunleavy" .Must Read Alaska .Archived from the original on November 1, 2018. ^ Mike Dunleavy for Governor."The Alaska Outdoor Council works tirelessly for the preservation of outdoor pursuits in Alaska, and conservation of the habitats upon which they depend. I am proud to receive their endorsement in the primary" .Facebook . ^ Kortnie Horazdovsky (October 8, 2018)."State public safety union endorses Dunleavy, Anchorage officers endorse Begich" .KTUU.com . ^ "NRA Endorses Mike Dunleavy for Governor" (PDF) .Alaskans for Dunleavy . September 26, 2018. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on October 14, 2018. RetrievedOctober 13, 2018 .^ Mike Dunleavy for Governor."Many of us live in Alaska for the unmatched sporting opportunities. I'm proud to earn the endorsement of the Sportsmen's Conservation Alliance, which works to preserve Alaska's fishing, hunting and trapping outdoor heritage traditions" . Facebook. ^ "Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Endorses Mike Dunleavy for Governor" (PDF) .Alaskans for Dunleavy . October 26, 2018. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on October 31, 2018. RetrievedOctober 30, 2018 .^ Anna Rose MacArthur (October 23, 2018)."Calista Switches Endorsement To Dunleavy After Walker Drops Out Of Governor's Race" . KYUK.Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. ^ Zak, Annie (August 25, 2018)."Alaska AFL-CIO endorses Gov. Walker for re-election" .Anchorage Daily News . ^ "Centrist Project endorses Gov. Bill Walker (I-AK)" . Archived fromthe original on October 13, 2017. RetrievedMay 22, 2018 .^ Zak, Annie (August 27, 2018)."NEA-Alaska endorses Walker for re-election" .Anchorage Daily News . ^ Alaska Survey Research ^ Alaska Survey Research ^a b c d Alaska Survey Research ^ Public Policy Polling (D) ^a b c d Alaska Survey Research ^a b c d Alaska Survey Research ^a b c Harstad Strategic Research ^ Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker) ^a b c Harstad Strategic Research (D) ^ Alaska Survey Research ^ Alaska Survey Research ^ Alaska Survey Research ^ Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska) ^ Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker) ^ "2018 General Elections. Official results" .elections.alaska.gov . RetrievedFebruary 19, 2023 .[dead link ] Official gubernatorial campaign websites
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
Alaska Division of Elections
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