More than 200 turn out in Fairbanks to question Alaska's governor candidates

More than 200 people packed a Fairbanks mixer on Aug. 5 to size up the candidates for Alaska governor before the primary — turning out in numbers for a chance to put questions to the field face to face.

The nonpartisan event was hosted by Interior Native Vote, a partnership of Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks Native Association and Doyon, Limited, which shared a recap this week. Between the candidate questions, volunteers helped people check their registration, sign up to vote, and find their precinct for the fall. It followed a July mixer that featured Alaska House and Senate candidates — both part of a broader Native push to get more Interior residents engaged and voting.

Organizers kept it even-handed, thanking "the candidates who took the time to meet with our Tribal members, leaders, and the community" without singling anyone out. Seventeen candidates filed for the open governor's seat; Alaska's primary sends the top four on to a ranked-choice general election Nov. 3.