By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 30, 2026 – Republican gubernatorial candidate Treg Taylor is calling on Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson to combine their campaigns and present a united Republican ticket in the November general election.
Taylor and his running mate, Candice English, said Monday that they would endorse a combined Wilson-Bronson ticket if the two campaigns agree to unite.
The proposal comes after Democrat Tom Begich suspended his campaign and endorsed fellow Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who finished first in the Aug. 18 primary. Begich’s decision has intensified pressure on Republicans to consolidate behind one ticket rather than divide their vote among multiple candidates in Alaska’s ranked-choice general election.
“The question is simple: Do we want Alaskans choosing our next governor, or California mega-donors propping up JKT?” Taylor said.
Wilson finished as the leading Republican in the primary, behind Kreiss-Tomkins and Begich. Bronson finished as the second-highest Republican, while Taylor placed behind Bronson, not making the final four ballot in November.
Taylor’s announcement did not say whether Wilson or Bronson should head the proposed ticket, nor did it explain how their existing lieutenant governor candidates would be affected. Wilson is running with former state Sen. Mike Shower. Bronson also entered the race with his own running mate.
The statement is nevertheless Taylor’s clearest acknowledgment that Republicans risk losing the governor’s race if their vote remains divided while Democrats unite behind Kreiss-Tomkins.
“Our campaign was overwhelmingly supported by Alaskans, with 94% of our contributions coming from inside the state,” English said. “We believe Alaska’s governor should answer to Alaskans — not California mega-donors or special interests.”
The Taylor campaign contrasted its Alaska-based financial support with Kreiss-Tomkins’ campaign, noting that more than 80% of his contributions came from outside the state. Kreiss-Tomkins has received substantial support from California donors connected to the artificial intelligence and data-center industries.
“Alaskans have a choice,” Taylor said. “We can divide the Alaska vote and give an advantage to a campaign fueled by California money, or we can unite and give Alaskans a real choice. We believe Alaska wins when Alaskans come together.”
Wilson emerged from the primary with approximately 10.2% of the statewide vote, followed by Bronson with about 8.2% and Taylor with roughly 7.4%. Kreiss-Tomkins and Begich together captured more than 42% of the primary vote.
Taylor and English also thanked the volunteers, contributors and voters who supported their campaign.
“To the hundreds of volunteers and donors who supported our campaign and the thousands of Alaskans who trusted us with their vote — THANK YOU,” English said. “We are grateful. Now let’s elect a governor every Alaskan can be proud of.”
Neither the Wilson nor Bronson campaign had publicly responded to Taylor’s proposal at the time of publication.
Taylor has been under scrutiny for alleged violations of campaign finance laws and the Alaska Public Offices Commission recommended to the Division of Elections that he not be certified for the ballot in November, if he rose to the final four. His Sunday evening statement did not indicate that he is dropping or suspending his campaign, but appeared to be carefully avoiding that question.
3 thoughts on “Breaking: Treg Taylor asks Bernadette and Bronson to combine tickets for governor”
Even if they don’t unify, I intend to rank them 1 & 2.
Thank you, Treg. A Wilson/Bronson ticket would devastate the queer little man from Sitka. Go for the slam dunk.
This isn’t democracy and this isn’t how constitutional republics are formed or maintained. This shows just how corrupt the jungle primary and rank voting is, we need to get ride of BM2 by voting yes on it’s repeal this November.