Dunleavy veto left campaign limits question to Alaska voters

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill that would have restored limits on campaign contributions in Alaska. The veto leaves voters to decide a similar question on the Aug. 18 primary ballot.

The official bill history for House Bill 16 lists the measure as "vetoed by governor" on July 9. The bill would have set new campaign contribution limits for state and local office, added reporting requirements and directed the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust those limits once a decade starting in 2031.

HB 16 passed the Alaska State Senate 12-8 and the Alaska State House 21-19 in May, Alaska Public Media reported. Alaska News previously reported that the House vote accepted Senate changes to the bill, sending it to the governor's desk during the 2026 election cycle.

Alaska has had no state campaign contribution limits since a federal appeals court struck down the state's prior $500 annual individual cap in 2021. HB 16 would have capped individual donations to most state and local candidates at $2,000 per election cycle, with higher limits for gubernatorial tickets and groups, according to Alaska Public Media.

Dunleavy said in his veto message that the bill did not do enough to address candidates who can finance their own campaigns.

"Free speech and participation in elections should not depend on personal wealth," Dunleavy wrote, according to Alaska Public Media. "Alaska should not make it harder for citizens to support candidates while preserving a built-in advantage for those who can self-fund."

Rep. Calvin Schrage, an Anchorage independent and the bill's lead sponsor, told Alaska Public Media that the bill was meant to fight corruption, or the appearance of corruption, and restore public faith in government.

The veto keeps Ballot Measure 1 in front of voters. The measure would restore campaign contribution limits through a citizen initiative. Alaska News has previously reported on the measure's Aug. 18 vote and the arguments from supporters and opponents.

The governor's public newsroom did not carry a standalone announcement of the HB 16 veto. The official record is available through the Legislature's bill page and the linked veto document.

Early voting is already underway. Primary election day is Aug. 18.