Former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson files for Alaska governor

Former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson filed Friday to run for Alaska governor as a Republican, promising aggressive resource development and lower energy costs.

Bronson, 68, served as Anchorage mayor from 2021 to 2024. He is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew strategic bombers and later worked as a commercial pilot. He has lived in Alaska for 35 years.

"Families are getting crushed by rising costs," Bronson said in his candidate statement. "Crime is too high in our communities, schools are failing our children, businesses are fighting through red tape and high energy prices while young Alaskans leave the state looking for opportunity somewhere else."

His platform emphasizes expanding land and housing access, building infrastructure, and creating an economy where workers, tradesmen, miners, fishermen, small businesses, and families thrive. Bronson also pledged to cut state bureaucracy, back law enforcement, defend constitutional rights, strengthen election integrity, and rebuild trust in government.

The top four finishers in the August primary will advance to a ranked-choice general election in November.

The text of Bronson's candidate statement was provided and paid for by the candidate in accordance with Alaska state law and is not endorsed by the Division of Elections.