Q&As with Alaska’s 2022 governor candidates

Ten candidates are running for governor in Alaska’s Aug. 16 primary election. On this year’s ballot, voters will be asked to pick one of those candidates, each of whom is paired with a lieutenant governor candidate.

The results will be counted through Aug. 31, and the four candidates who have the most votes will advance to this year’s Nov. 8 general election. In that election, voters will rank their preferences, and the winner will be sworn into office in early December for a four-year term.

Ahead of the primary, the Alaska Beacon collected questions from members of the public online and in person, asking voters what they wanted to know about this year’s candidates. We read those questions, picked our favorites, and added a few of our own. The result was a questionnaire with 15 questions — 10 open-ended and five multiple-choice — which we sent to the candidates’ listed email addresses on July 13.

We followed up with phone calls and emails on the week of July 25 and received written responses from seven of the 10 candidates. You can see links to their responses below. The answers have not been edited.

A eighth candidate, incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said he would answer questions in a verbal interview. That interview has been attached below. In the coming days and weeks, we intend to reach out to the other governor candidates by phone and seek to talk to them verbally as well. Transcripts of those interviews will be attached here as well.

Candidates

Mike Dunleavy (Republican) — Did not respond and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections. After the initial publication of the questionnaires, he answered some questions in a 30-minute verbal interview by phone. You can read the rough transcript of that interview or listen to the audio.

Les Gara (Democratic) — Responded in full and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections.

David Haeg (R) — Did not respond

John Wayne Howe (Alaskan Independence) — Responded

Christopher Kurka (R) — Responded in full

William J. Nemec II (Undeclared) — Responded and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections.

Charlie Pierce (R) — Responded and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections.

Billy Toien (Libertarian) — Responded in full and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections.

Bruce Walden (R) — Responded in full

Bill Walker (Nonpartisan) — Responded in full and has submitted a candidate statement to the Division of Elections.