By THE ALASKA STORY
March 24, 2026 – A gubernatorial forum focused specifically on Alaska’s veterans and military families is set for next week in Palmer, bringing a field of candidates together as the 2026 race continues to take shape.
The Alaska Veteran Community Partnership will host the event Monday, March 30, at the Glenn Massey Theater in Palmer. The forum will feature Bernadette Wilson, Adam Crum, Dave Bronson, Tom Begich (the only Democrat scheduled to appear), Treg Taylor, Matt Heilala, and Shelley Hughes. The are seven of the 17 candidates who have announced their run for governor.
Organizers say the forum is designed to elevate issues affecting veterans, military families, and caregivers, while giving candidates an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and decision-making in a structured setting. The Alaska Veteran Community Partnership is an action-driven statewide coalition connecting veteran-serving organizations, government partners, businesses, and community leaders to strengthen support systems for veterans and their families.
The event comes as candidates increasingly court Alaska’s sizable veteran community. Alaska has the highest veteran population per capita in the nation, with veterans making up roughly one in 10 adult residents and an estimated 8–11% of voters. Veterans also tend to vote at higher rates than the general population, making the group an influential bloc in statewide elections.
The forum will use a structured “fireside” format focused on leadership, accountability, decision-making, and readiness to govern. Candidates will answer moderated questions, candidate-submitted questions, and real-time audience feedback.
Organizers say attendees will also be able to participate using a live audience polling platform that allows instant feedback during candidate responses. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook statewide, allowing people across the state to watch and participate.
The goal, according to organizers, is to create direct engagement between candidates and voters while providing a clearer comparison of each contender’s leadership approach ahead of the gubernatorial election.
