By SUZANNE DOWNING
Nov. 14, 2026 — Former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson has conceded Alaska’s governor’s race, offering Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins an affectionate political farewell that included congratulations, warm wishes, and a friendly link to the governor-elect’s Facebook page.
Missing from his statement: Any acknowledgment by name of Bernadette Wilson, the leading Republican in the race, or fellow Republican Treg Taylor.
“It was a pleasure campaigning against him. I wish him all the success,” Bronson wrote of Kreiss-Tomkins.
Bronson congratulated the Democrat on winning a majority, said he respected Alaskans’ decision, and thanked his own volunteers, donors, and voters.
The concession fit a pattern familiar to those who watched Bronson’s campaign: A courtly approach to the Democrat, accompanied by a much sharper edge toward Wilson, the Republican.
As The Alaska Story reported after the October Debate for the State, Bronson highlighted his warm personal rapport with Kreiss-Tomkins, including conversations over coffee on the campaign trail. While Wilson challenged the Democrat’s tax and energy positions, Bronson emphasized their shared interest in compromise and praised him personally in his closing remarks, while giving Wilson the cold shoulder.
Bronson’s repeated criticism of Wilson during the campaign over her experience, her children, her dividend proposals, and business disputes became his basic campaign theme. He never attacked JKT during the campaign.
Wilson remained ahead of Bronson in the election, finishing as Kreiss-Tomkins’ closest Republican competitor.
The ballot-transfer calculations add another dimension. Bronson’s voters marked JKT second at a startling pace.
In the cast vote records, 2,635 votes transferred from Bronson’s tally to Kreiss-Tomkins when Bronson was eliminated. That increased the Democrat’s total from 124,148 to 126,783.
The transfer represented 6.74% of Bronson’s 39,078 votes at elimination. Some votes have not been counted, but there are very few remaining before the Nov. 18 ranked-choice process.
Taylor’s elimination sent 959 votes to Kreiss-Tomkins, or 5.35% of Taylor’s 17,920-vote tally.
| Candidate eliminated | Votes at elimination | Votes transferred to JKT | Share transferred to JKT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treg Taylor | 17,920 | 959 | 5.35% |
| Dave Bronson | 39,078 | 2,635 | 6.74% |
| Bernadette Wilson | Remained in final round | No redistribution since leading Republican | Not applicable |
Bronson’s elimination therefore delivered more votes to the Democrat than Taylor’s did, both in raw numbers and as a percentage of the departing candidate’s tally. Together, those two elimination rounds added 3,594 votes to Kreiss-Tomkins.
Wilson’s ballots are never redistributed because she remains in the final pairing against the Democrat.
Bronson ended his campaign much as he conducted its most conspicuous exchanges: With warm words for the Democrat. For Wilson, the Republican who outpolled him, his concession offered no comparable recognition.
58 thoughts on “Bronson concedes, offers warmest wishes to JKT after bruising campaign against Wilson”
This, and his military background strongly suggest to me why the United States of American hasn’t won a war since WWII. We have false flag patriots and many of them choose the armed forces.
Hope JKT took a bath before Dave Bronson kisses his ass any more. Or, maybe Bronson likes it. Bronson looks like an ass kisser. This i know; JKT and his radical lefties never felt threatened by Dave Bronson. Not once. The only threat was from Bernadette Wilson, the little gal who kicked Bronson in the gonads. JKT and his Democrats laughed out loud, and behind doors, watching Bronson fall apart over Bernie. Bronson is one sad f*cker.
That scowl on Bronson’s face tells it all we need to know about him. A severely broken and deranged man.
WOW. I hope Mr. Bronson reads this. You were my choice for Governor. I even told you so at a rally when we met. As the election grew closer something about your demeanor and comments turned me off. Election day I voted for Bernadette, Treg, you last. Not that in this rigged election it matters, due to RCV, and other dark forces. I wish you well.
This Alaska Story is false. Zero votes have been “transferred.” By law, transfers only occur when no candidate gets a majority of first-place votes. JKT currently has that majority, 50.81%. There is no need for the instant-runoff phases , he’s going to win the first count. You are being lied to.
Get a grip Ditzy!
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Suzanne is simply sharing what the numbers WOULD be if the RC system played out. All the information there, so folks could make this assessment as early as election week. But for having to await late casters arriving by the US Snail Express. It reflects poorly, IMO, on the 3,500 voters who ranked JKT. Yes, the top R in this race was doomed to fail, thank you once again, to the circular firing squad.
Read the article Downing actually published. She speaks of the transfers in the past tense, as if they actually occurred, misleading her readership. The transfers did not (and likely will not) happen, because JKT currently holds a significant majority on the first ballot, without need for any instant runoff rounds. As for the mail-in delay, that 15 day wait for the final ballots has been the law of this state since at least the 1980s, has nothing to do with RCV.
You say you’re concerned about reality? According to the Division of Elections website, the target date to certify the election is 11 days from now. “Target date” means there are factors which may push it forward. To the majority of folks, however, none of that matters. From what I’m seeing, the AP declared the election to be over and done with yesterday. That’s the “reality” everyone is going by.
There might not even be a certification of the governor’s race. There are underlying reasons. Watch closely!
What a gutless bastard you are. Only his mother could love him. Well, her and his wife. I’m pretty sure you just sealed your fate. Good luck in the future, what little there is of it. Oh and you can pull your nose out of Tomkins rear-end now.
Right on, Sherry.
Hear. Hear.
Sherry rocks👏👏
His wife? I thought it was his husband, just like Pete buttiegegg or whatever its name is. They both like their fudge packed
Bronson and Trig should be eliminated from the Republican functions. To hand over the governorship to a D for any reason when a viable R candidate was still running is so wrong.
I will never forgive this. If either take a position in his administration, they should be banned just like Leslie.
Bronson and Taylor handed NOTHING to JKT. JKT currently holds a first-ballot majority. Just like Trump in 2024. Just like Dunleavy in 2022.
It’s over. Bernadette conceded to JKT. Bronson and Taylor DID hand the Governorship to JKT.
It is over, I agree. But you’re flat wrong about Bronson and Taylor “handing” the race to JKT. Again, it looks like JKT won a majority of first-ballot votes. You need to be honest with yourself, with your allies, if you hope to have better results in the future.
Not true. Up to the election, all the pundits were saying that JKT would win through the system and that the election was over. That turned off some voters who probably thought it was a waste of time to vote since JKT would win.
The D’s are smart. They use the media to their benefit and the R’s still follow the media and believe. To think the phony Dan Sullivan or the three candidates for governor did not affect the election is not being honest to themselves. It’s all a game as the head of the Democratic party said and the D’s are masters of this.
Trump held nothing as RCV isn’t used in the presidential election. If you’re going to accuse Suzanne of misrepresenting the facts then you should at least understand what the facts are.
I didn’t say Trump was in an RCV election. I said he won a majority of the 2024 vote in Alaska. Like Dunleavy did in 2022. No instant runoffs in either race, just like JKT now.
You guys are now getting an Understanding why I feel so frustrated by the church-going folks, and I belong to no church but occasionally show up into one particular church but not a member because I know I may being led to join only to reach out to the baby Christians and show them Christianity is more than what they see inside a four walled church, and Christians are not who they see in a church building, I don’t know there are other ways to reach out beside being a member. They act just like how Bronson just displayed just now. They scatter the sheep in disarray and confusion instead of back to the cross putting themselves last and putting Christ first.
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Bronson hardened feelings and opinions about Bernedette, his feelings and opinions don’t matter. What mattered was the tens of thousands of average Alaskans who are not Christians and do not have the hope in Christ while going through hardship will be exploited and abused by AKDemocrats who now have control over all three local branches of government including the Benefits of DNC controlling the US Senate and US House. Bernedette wouldn’t had been that bad that Alaskans would be lamenting and wishing we’d voted for JKT and Democrats.
Anyway. You know what the good news for ms Bernedette not being Governor? She has an eleven year old daughter. Now, her daughter doesn’t have to sacrifice her mother to the state of Alaska for the next four years. If Bernedette was Governor. She would had missed her daughter’s twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen years. By the time Bernadette would had finished her first term her daughter would be a young adult woman. Her mother would missed the entire teenage years. That’s the ONLY good thing about Bernadette’s loss. She won’t lose out on her daughter’s teenage years.
Do you know why that’s why Vice President Vance’s wife Usha carries the children everywhere! Instead of relying on a nanny like other elected leaders, they don’t want to miss out on their children’s growing up years. An elected mom or dad misses out on their child’s growing up when they are elected.
Some of your readers should remember this if one was a Republican leader and not happy by some of the other party’s leaders conduct.
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“What to do with an enemy? You keep him close in you make him a “friend.”
Don’t abruptly discard him where he can join your real enemy.
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You know during the years Charlie Kirk was alive. That’s what he did to Candace Owens. She was Candace. He quietly removed her from her employment Turning Points USA by helping her get BLEXIT that failed started, so she can work somewhere else. He didn’t just fire her like daily wire did to be rid of her, he just quietly graciously put her somewhere else so she isn’t a danger to Turning Point USA.
Thats how you treat enemies and traitors within the group.
I have never participated in party politics so I really do not understand how it works. But Craig Campbell was supposed to be Wilson’s campaign chairman. This is the same guy who was Bronson’s first chief of staff. Don’t you people know each other? do you really lack the ability to organize among yourselves? Regardless of ranked choice voting and Bronson’s role Wilson would of lost. Over 70% of the voters did not want her to be governor.
Ignorant statement, Leo. You obviously don’t know how politics works, do you.
This comment is likely to offend most of you. I apologize in advance. It needs to be said. Bernadette might be a great Alaska Republican Party Chair. But Governor? That might explain why her candidacy was doomed from the start. Bronson had a more credible resume, but his brand was tarnished by his record as Mayor. Treg didnt have a brand. And Click didnt have a lane. Shelley Hughes was a credible candidate with deep policy expertise but that isn’t what Rs were looking for. They were looking for the second coming of Sarah. And they found it in Bernadette. I came across this post in one of the Washington political trades. “ Being seemingly inexperienced and unqualified is fine if you have self-awareness and humility and a strong team around you.” I doubt JKT ever saw the post, but it is no coincidence that this was his lane. And it was a winning one. Now it’s time for him to deliver. Bush rat proved that it’s possible. I wish him good fortune in doing right for Alaskans.
The AKGOP would never elect Ms Bernedette as chair.
She shouldn’t be kicked aside.
The chair person should be a leader who is more than content quietly working behind the curtains in the wings directing and orchestrating the whole performance. A letdown who can unite fractions within the group and assign roles to the right characters that all move the AKGOP forward and win its races,Treg, Bronson, Wilson, Bishop. Hughes are performer examples they are not a director or conductor to manage an entire AKGOP.
You obviously don’t know Bernadette. You are losing credibility here at Alaska Story. Go try a Democrat site.
Julia, I dont know Bernadette the person. My observations are based on observing the public Bernadette as candidate at the 50000 foot level from my DC perch. And talking to Alaskans virtually everyday from home as I am caregiving my spouse. I dont know whether older Alaskans were prone to remember Bernadette from the days she was partnered with Chris Tuck, a relationship that provided ample commentary in The Ear column of days past. Or they knew her from Bernadette and Berkowitz. What I do know is that I never saw her visit Lisa’s DC office. Never was introduced to her at any public event in the state. Or associated her with any Alaska federal public policy issue. Over the 17 years I served in Lisa’s office 2003-2019. I know and respect Craig Campbell. He loved to suggest that nobody is more conservative than he is. And he had a decent track record in government. But I cant say I know who else might be in her kitchen cabinet if she went to Juneau. I dont know whether she had a transition plan formulated. I dont know whether Gov Dunleavy or any of his R predecessors were mentoring her. No evidence in the public record that she had assembled an experienced team committed to her success. She did have a constituency of believers to her credit. But aside from that did she even try to expand the base? I just didnt see any evidence of it. I mean no disrespect to Bernadette. She does have the skills to be a public spokesperson for the Alaska Republican Party as it stands today, if that is what she wants to be. And I acknowledge that women still have a tough road to hoe in politics. After all I gave 17 years of my life working for one. I appreciate your comment.
Who are you, Nate, other than the biggest gossip and name dropper at Alaska Story? If you don’t even live in Alaska, why do you care about what we discuss here? I suggest you get back to care giving to your spouse, whether it’s a man or woman. We don’t really care.
Hi Claudia. Made in NY, Alaska Grown. I’ve been involved in Alaska law, policy and politics since 1981. Our Industry petroleum from 1981-1989. ANC General Counsel in Fairbanks from 1989-1997. Sen Murkowski’s DC staff from 2003-2017. Got married in Anchorage. Republican volunteer and leadership positions since 1979.That is why I am here. Nice to meet you.
Should of said Murkowski 2003-2019. Sorry if you are offended by the name dropping and war stories (not gossip—that’s what The Ear was and Landmine is for). You will notice that nobody questions their veracity. If you know you know.
Claudia, I think Nate is a “fence straddler” or Luke warm or moderate or go along to get along and not burn bridges kind of folks, but he isn’t one a leader would recklessly emotionally cast aside just for being a fence straddler. He’s been in the Inside a little bit too long I can see he’s a bit rigid and jaded especially if one has spent considerable time around leaders such as Sen Murkowski.
As for Bernedette being spokesperson. Yes she could be a spokesperson for AKGOP getting people fired up, as well as annoying other Republican groups. As a performance artist, being a chair she would not be in the best place for what she brings to the table. There is multiple different groups in the Republican Party: prochoice republicans. Prolife republicans, union pro big government republicans, ultra conservative republicans who criticize For a limited and smaller government, lgbtq republicans, evangelical Christian republicans, atheist republicans; Groups whose members agree on the common tenants of the Republican Party governance model but while their personal groups sharply contrast against others. Thats where picking a chair and staff leadership who don’t alienate but build a cohesive group that knows what they collectively are fighting for. they need one Chair (not a performing artist who can unite the fractions together as one and the political characters with personal ambitions, separate goals threaded together where each work assignments move together to strengthen the Republican Party image, collect new members, and move the party forward.
Nate, I’m sure you’ve noticed there’s a certain group who comment mononymously, are quick to pass judgement, and engage in excessive amounts of gossip and name-calling. I was involved in Alaska politics for nearly four decades, including holding scattered minor party leadership positions. I ended 35 years of owning, managing or working for one small business or another in 2018 due to diminishing returns, mostly related to governments’ attempts to eclipse the private sector. It later became necessary for me to vote with my feet, moving to North Carolina in 2021. The other day, we saw this same group attempting to dismiss my experience because I currently don’t live in Alaska, as if responsible citizenship is merely one more commodity. It caused me to wonder if they also dismissed Art Chance’s columns about his experiences in state government, simply because he was retired from state service by the time he wrote those columns. Anyway, NC has grown like crazy because “blue” states have systematically killed off their economies. It didn’t cause things to become “red”, though. Like with Alaska, Republican leadership is absent except to bully people into accepting certain top-of-the-ticket choices, however unelectable. Between Mark Robinson two years ago and Michael Whatley this year, it had a devastating effect. Republicans went from having a veto-proof majority in the state legislature to holding on by a thread to some semblance of power.
Hi Sean. Thanks for your comment. I will take Claudia’s comment at face. Alaska is a small state. Fairbanks a small town. You think everybody knows everybody. And within your circle it is true. I was fortunate that my circle was broader than most new arrivals. And I felt really bad leaving. My dad had late stage Alzheimer’s, and even with a full-time caregiver my sister wasn’t happy that I was living so far away. He passed shortly after I moved back east. Sen Murkowski offered me the opportunity to reconnect and grow my network, for which I am grateful. And the opportunity to kick a*s for Alaska everyday. Still there are lots of Alaskans I haven’t touched. My attitude is a stranger today, a friend tomorrow. Even if you dont care for my politics.
Sean, Nate……and all of you out-of-staters coming back here to tell us Alaskans of your alleged war stories. Don’t. We don’t give a shit. You are snowbirds, long forgotten. Your stories don’t mean squat to the good people in Alaska who are working and raising families up here. Write your stories and comments to AARP. Try passing along your bullshit to others. Leave us real Alaskans alone.
Bronson never campaigned against JKT. JKT was being polite to Bronson and played him as though Bronson was a real competitor. Bernie kicked Bronson’s droopy old ass every time, with growing numbers. Bronson will go down in the heap bin of Alaska history as an old grouch that everybody wants to get away from him. He’s a multi time loser. Not worth a mouthful of spiddle, although I would consider that if I ever got close to him. POS.
That would be a waste of perfectly good spiddle. Bronson will be long forgotten in a few days.
I rather wonder that JKT didn’t pay off Bronson to stay in the election. Bronson did spend a fair bit of time kissing up to him. Closet homosexual? Hard to tell. Could have just been money.
In regard to Bronson, in past recent articles here on The Alaska Story about Bronson, I have and still do blame him and Taylor for handing the Governor’s House to a Democrat, and not only a Democrat, but to a Left Wing Radical by the name of JKT. But in my past comments about him, I used some pretty rough language including the “f-bomb”, and lesser curse words. And so, I apologize for “cussin” like that in the past. But I guarantee you that my sentiments not only remain the same but are even STRONGER now, now that Bronson is so obviously courting the favor of Tomkins. To me, it is unconscionable and shameless, and he deserves a punishment that I should not describe here. But the good news is that we The Honorable, are not among his ilk. Bernadette Wilson is not among the political slime where Bronson and Taylor now sit openly in a pool of festering political stench. You, Bernadette, ran an honest campaign and that “fire in the belly” that you displayed, and the solutions that you proposed were exactly what Alaska needed and still need. You are and remain among The Honorable, and can at least hold your head up and look yourself in the mirror and be proud of Who You Are. Bronson can never do that because he has soiled himself badly. Thanks for everything Ma’am, and it was an honor to meet you and talk with you during those two meet and greets down here in Juneau. Bronson, as far as I’m concerned, you know where you can go. My Dad, who fought the Japs at Attu and spent all of WW II at Dutch Harbor, would be deeply saddened to know of how you whored yourself out and sold our Alaska down the river. He is resting at Arlington National Cemetery now, a place of Honor where I hope you never disgrace with your presence there. Like I said, you know where you can go…
Nobody “handed” JKT the Governor’s House. He ran a solid campaign and looks set for a first ballot majority victory, without need for any instant runoff tabulations. There wasn’t a majority for any Republican this year, this year the majority chose JKT. Just like Alaska did with Trump in 2024, just like Alaska did in 2022 with Dunleavy.
Give it a rest already. Of course they handed the election to JKT. Without the two spoilers running, Bernadette could easily have defeated him. Are you capable of simple math? Bronson’s male ego couldn’t stand the fact that a woman beat him in the primary, so he didn’t drop out as he said he would, and therefore took votes away from Bernadette, the leader. Anyone who ranked JKT after Bronson has the same mental defect. It is clear you are a democrat fan, not a conservative, so why come here and spout idiotic nonsense? Or is this your victory dance at our expense? Either way, you are as disingenuous as Bronson with his garbage accusations against Bernadette. Now, go lay down by your dish.
Ugh. Wrong. JKT convinced a majority of Alaskans to make him their number one choice. It is very had to win a four way race without need for a runoff, and he did it. Lastly, your personal insults reveal your true character, think about that.
Based on what? The average Alaskan only knows that he is a homosexual male, lives at home, his mommy is a doctor, he has a hyphenated last name, he rides a bicycle, lives in Sitka, wants a state income tax, hates the PFD, and hates carbon based fuels.
Pretty thin resume. He’s a child.
That’s what Alaskans elected?
Alaskans are stupid.
Your personal obnoxiousness reveals yours, darlin’. JKT convinced nobody who wasn’t already a true believer. He will be a tax and spend democrat, like all the rest of his ilk, and we will bear the brunt. At least you will have your own personal hero to worship. Have fun paying more taxes for things from which you will never benefit.
Itsy bitsy,
If there were only two candidates: Bernedette vs JKT, the Alaskans who did vote would been a close split of 50%. The current state due to demographics and relocations, its making races more competitive for At least Republicans.
If the race had one Republican, JKT and tom Begich would had split the likely Democrat voters.
There are over 600,000 registered voters in the state and just barely 300,000 voters actually vote. Just barely making fifty percent of a majority for anyone winning.
A majority isn’t fifty percent doesn’t make a majority. 70percentbabd greater make a majority.
I talked with Dave at a extremely small gathering at a tackle shop in Wasilla early summer and it became clear to me then he was not that enthused with the race back then and I left feeling like Deb was more interested in being the first lady than he was wanting the governorship.
It reminded me of his lackluster reelection as mayor which produced Suzanne LaFailure who easily took over Los Anchorage. I liked Dave and donated to his mayoral race which helped Anchorage recover from the fake mayor AQD disaster. But I have since learned more about his character and decisions that reminds me more of what happens when someone like Jill Biden takes the reins while Joe stumbled off the stage and being fed ice cream to heal and let Chief Autopen do the heavy lifting for the rest of his term.
Dave Bronson will have full-on Alzheimer’s by the time JKT cleans himself from Bronson’s nose penetration.
A disgusting man.
tell a lie enough time people will believe it. takes a lot of money to do that and jkt spent it, lots of it mostly the fabled dark money.
yes DARK MONEY paid for most if not of the elections winners.
just hope Alaska can survive it.
end of the pfd and the piggy bank will go also, its what big government supported business/unions has been after for years now they have the team to deliver.
maybe the Federal government will find a buyer
Time to move from Alaska and join Nate and Sean from afar.
Anyone else wondering how those +3000 voters feel seeing their votes “redistributed” to the far left Democrat homosexual they NEVER voted for?
Oops, slight correction. Those +3000 Bronson and Taylor voters must have ranked JKT as their second choice thinking that was a good thing. They probably stupidly did it after hearing Bronson suck up to JKT and Murkowski endorsing JKT.
I actually think you are right. Less informed voters could have very well named JKT as #2 or #3 choices.
Republicans did not spend enough $$ or time telling voters the strategy of RCV. Democrats didn’t have to know. Begich dropped out within hours of JKT’s primary win. The JKT phenomena went from mindless young people to old fogies who could care less who wins (ie disgraced Bill Walker, dementia king Frank Murkowski, white-haired/wrinkled- up Ken doll Tony Knowles, turncoat and not too smart Rick Halford).
Why did you throw Halford’s name here? He wasn’t governor material, never. He ran a fishing lodge out in Western Alaska. He was a Senator many decades ago and he was famous for boinking young liberal media girls. That’s it. A dumb sob too.
[…] Bronson concedes, offers warmest wishes to JKT after bruising campaign against Wilson […]
What sense would it make to address the other losers in the race while conceding to the winner?
At some point, it may be worthwhile for my fellow Americans to take a breather outside this vitriolic echo chamber and go back to living their lives.
Maybe he was just looking for a position to assume…