Begich selects Julia Hnilicka as running mate in Alaska governor's race

Tom Begich has selected Julia Hnilicka as his running mate in the 2026 Alaska governor's race. Campaign signage provided to Alaska News on Wednesday identifies the ticket as "Tom Begich, Julia Hnilicka for Governor & Lt. Governor."

Hnilicka is from Nenana. She served as Alaska state director for USDA Rural Development during the Biden administration and earned a master's degree in rural development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. AKPIRG announced in 2025 that Hnilicka had been selected as executive director of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group.

Alaska elects governors and lieutenant governors together as a ticket. Candidates face a June 1 state filing deadline.

Begich, a former Democratic state senator from Anchorage, has been one of the more visible candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who is term-limited. Publicly reported polling from Alaska Survey Research and Dittman Research conducted in late April has shown Begich ahead of the primary field.

Begich's campaign website describes him as focused on education, energy affordability, fiscal planning and collaborative leadership. Hnilicka's public record has centered on rural development, infrastructure, housing and consumer advocacy.