By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 14, 2026 – The Valley Republican Women’s Club on Friday evening formally endorsed Republican candidate Bernadette Wilson for governor, becoming the first Republican women’s organization in Alaska to back a candidate in the increasingly crowded 2026 race.
About 50 supporters gathered at Susitna Brewing Company on the shore of Big Lake for the event, which drew a largely Mat-Su Valley crowd eager to hear from Wilson and rally behind her campaign.
The endorsement rally included a recorded message from Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida, who has already endorsed Wilson’s campaign. In the video, Donalds praised Wilson’s grassroots leadership and urged supporters to help propel her candidacy forward as Alaska heads toward the 2026 election.
Wilson, a longtime business owner, conservative activist and political organizer of Aleut descent, announced her run for governor last May shortly after former Click Bishop and Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom signaled their own interest in the race. Ten months later, the field has swelled dramatically.
Pam Melin, president of the Republican club, said the members were impressed with the bold and unflinching stands that Wilson is willing to take, and the fact that she is a hard worker, a business owner, and a solid conservative. Out of all the clubs, the club is one of the most active and influential. VRWC was the first Alaska Republican club to endorse Nick Begich for Congress, which started the ball rolling among the many clubs during the 2024 election cycle.
“Balancing a budget isn’t complicated,” Melin said. “Ask a mom on a tight budget or a business owner. It’s Accounting 101: If you can’t afford it, you can’t spend it.”
Speaking to the crowd Friday evening, Wilson thanked the club for its early show of support and emphasized the importance of grassroots organizing as the campaign unfolds.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the endorsement of the Valley Republican Women’s Club,” Wilson said after the event. “This is a remarkable group of women who have long stood for the values that make Alaska strong — faith, family, freedom, and a commitment to our communities. I am enthusiastically grateful for their support and proud to stand alongside them as we work to secure a brighter future for Alaska.”
A record 17 candidates have now entered the race for Alaska governor, the largest field in state history. Political observers say the list may not be final, with chatter continuing in political circles that another candidate could still file.
The Mat-Su Valley is playing an outsized role in the early stages of the contest. Three gubernatorial candidates — former state senator Shelley Hughes, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, and former state revenue commissioner Adam Crum — all hail from the region. Wilson’s running mate, former state senator Mike Shower, is also from the Valley.
The Valley Republican Women’s Club endorsement marks an early milestone for Wilson’s campaign as candidates begin jockeying for support ahead of what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable gubernatorial races in Alaska’s history.
12 thoughts on “Valley Republican Women endorse Bernadette Wilson for governor at Big Lake gathering”
There are two people that I look at in a different light after watching them cuddle princess Lisa. One is Bernadette. The other is that guy that has a radio show in the afternoon with some guy that goes by the name of crash. He makes a lot of money advertising for the princess every six years.
That tells me neither one of the two are true conservatives.
Post a link to the ‘cuddle.’ I think I missed that.
I wad all never forgive Pigcaro for helping stick us with RCV, probably at Lisa’s behest
I seem to have missed that. Bernadette ‘cuddling’ Lisa? Even promoting or endorsing? When?
At an outdoor gathering here in Los-anchorage few years back. Constituent were holding Lisa’s feet to the fire when she popped in ( must have been a “ election “ year) Wilson pretty much placed herself into the middle to save the princess. Tried finding a link.
Pics or it didn’t happen.
My daughter and I witnessed what you are referring to at an event at a Jewel Lake gas station where people were receiving free gasoline. We were both shocked at Wilsons response when Lisa was confronted with questions about her repeated votes against conservative Alaskan values that were in line with Biden’s anti domestic energy policy when she quickly voted to confirm Deb Haaland
I cant recall exact words spoken but they certainly were not representative of conservative Alaskan views of daddy’s girl.
“…faith, family, freedom, and a commitment to our communities (future),”
.
This resonates more (for me) than “Fish, Family, & Freedom,” which seems to promote a return to a lifestyle practiced 200 years ago (and for a long time prior to).
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Mary and those who would support this notion can move in that direction any day they choose. Let me know when you get the genie 🧞 back in the bottle.
On her *YouTube channel calling a Spade a Spade. If Alaska was to ever rollback lobbyists of industries influence over the legislature and Governor, and the state was to make less Alaskans government dependent that their paychecks would come from a taxpayer, small business owners and employees would feel a hurt in the beginning of a momental change of actions if Alaska made its government reorganization and reduction of spending to bureaucrats and employees living off government for 10plus years.
Alaskans have to want it. They will have to make themselves psyched up. Because a state as government dependent as Alaska. Much of the money spent into businesses is recycled money that is just respent over n over again from a large government employment. With a smaller government then there be short term struggle while Alaska is increasing the private sector to add more jobs that sell a service and products. And Alaskan Republicans, Conservatives have to acknowledge it and accept with changes and discomfort is inevitable.
I do feel encourage by another video on Bernedette Wilson for Alaska YouTube channel when she said “it’s time we have a Governor who Gets TOUGH with the legislature” and yes it is. Thank you for saying the quiet part out loud.
The forty percent of Alaskans who will vote in November 2026. What is more important continuing a BIG government that builds absolutely Nothing!. And will inevitably result the state of Alaska into a crash one day, or short term struggle reducing government dependency to increase the opportunities up on Alaska for entrepreneurs of the private sector to build and develop new businesses and jobs that builds far more prosperity than a government job could ever contribute into the local community.
Alaska does not need another RINO especially in the governor’s office! We already have Liza who needs to be relieved of duty this next cycle! She lost her way for We The People of Alaska! If Wilson is a RINO we don’t need her! Actually Alaska needs Elon’s DOGE to go thru the states wast full spending then the MatSu they are both spending way to much money and it needs to be cleaned up!!
Wow, Shelly and Edna can’t be too happy. To tell the truth all three of them don’t have chance.