By Suzanne Downing 
Sen. Shelley Hughes of Palmer, one of a dozen Republicans now running for governor, was the keynote speaker Friday at the weekly Interior Republicans luncheon in Fairbanks, a long-standing political gathering at the Westmark Hotel that regularly draws candidates and community leaders.
Hughes, a veteran conservative lawmaker who has served in both the Alaska House and Senate, used her appearance to signal a shift in strategy. In earlier remarks this year, she said she would drop out of the race if she wasn’t the leading Republican coming out of the August primary. On Friday, she told attendees she is rethinking that position, saying it might not be the best approach.
Hughes said to The Alaska Story, “My commitment is do whatever it will take to elect a governor who would not reinstate pensions or impose an income tax.”
If it makes mathematical and strategic sense to drop out after the primary to ensure that, she will do it, but this is not the congressional race from 2024, where there was two candidates on the Republican side. She doesn’t want to see a scenario where a Republican who would reinstate defined benefits for state employees gets in office.
Her comments were similar to an earlier stance and suggest she may stay in the race longer, even if another Republican leads after the primary, depending on how the field develops. The situation is tricky for Republicans due to the number of them in the race and the fact that the jungle primary allows Democrats to dictate which Republican advances to the general election ballot, where the top four primary vote getters will be listed.
Hughes said that if elected governor, her goal would be to bring Republicans together before the Legislature convenes in Juneau, building unity around shared priorities rather than allowing party divisions to persist once the session begins.
The longtime Palmer legislator has been a consistent voice for conservative principals of fiscal restraint, parental rights, and limited government during her years in the Legislature. Her decision on whether to remain in the race after the primary could influence how the crowded Republican field shapes up heading into November 2026. Earlier this year, candidate Bernadette Wilson made her commitment in writing that, if not the top vote getting on the GOP side, she’ll drop in order to ensure a Republican win in the ranked-choice system that typically favors Democrats. There is currently just one Democrat candidate for governor.
Her presentation was upbeat and positive, and she didn’t disclose when she will be leaving the Senate, but has earlier said that she intends to resign to focus on her campaign for governor.
That’s MY girl. Unless something truly dark comes crawling out her past, Ms. Hughes has my vote. I’ve already decided that ‘she’s the right of conservative.’
Senator Hughes is the real deal. She stands for the principles and values that are important to me and I will vote for her every single time. Couldn’t ask for a better governor!
Not all Republicans are created equal. To agree to drop out and thus support someone who doesn’t necessarily support the Republican platform isn’t sound decision making, Senator Hughes is wise to understand this.
That makes about as much sense as a gun rights organization taking out a Pro-2A State AG who was not ideologically pure and elects an extreme left wing anti-2A AG and a Communist Governor. Real stupid that we can do without and true. Let’s try real hard not to be the same stupid for someone’s vanity.
There is too many
The Republican Party needs a strong unity behind One candidate today not after the primary
Alaskans who will most likely vote Right whom tend to be a unpredictable and stubborn group they need to get unified today not tomorrow else they’ll be splintered by their own personal differences and fears
Just as they did to elect US Rep Nicholas Begich
There was no doubt in Alaskan minds whom they’d support
She should drop out now and save the public the stroke of the pen. Hughes has nothing to offer the state and the work integrity it takes for a governor job. We have had poor performance from Hughes and most of the 13 on the list for the last ten years and presently a governor that can’t live up to commitment and never has. So for Hughes, give yourself a break and the rest of the voters. Drop out now!!!
Shelly, if you think” Bond Insurance ” is the same thing as “Public Officials Bonds ” & that the fact you approved all of the Governors Commissioners & the Permanent Fund Board Trustees without proper vetting them to be sure they were in compliance with our State Statutes, which they aren’t / weren’t then YOUR A NO VOTE CANDIDATE, PERIOD ! Any Candidate like , Mike S, Click , and especially Treg, Adam who have knowingly ignored the States Laws under personal oath should not be elected. Corruption in our state needs to stop. Liberty Ed Martin