By SUZANNE DOWNING
May 28, 2026 – Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission for office in the 2026 election cycle, adding another layer of intrigue to an already crowded political field.
His former commissioner of Revenue Randall Hoffbeck has also filed — the same day.
Walker filed on Thursday for the state primary election, although it is not yet clear what office he intends to seek. Word is he intends to run for governor, which would make him the 19th candidate.
The former governor, now in his early 70s, currently lives in House District 16 in Anchorage, represented by Rep. Carolyn Hall, a Democrat, and Sen. Matt Claman’s Senate district. Claman is running for governor, too. As of Thursday morning, no specific legislative or statewide office had been identified in Walker’s filing.
Walker, who was elected governor in 2014 after mounting an independent-style fusion campaign with Democrat Byron Mallott, was originally a Republican but is now registered as nonpartisan.
His filing immediately sparked speculation in political circles about whether he could be considering a return to statewide office, a legislative run, or another political role altogether.
Walker served one term as governor from 2014 to 2018, overseeing a period marked by sharp declines in oil revenue, budget deficits, and contentious debates over the Permanent Fund Dividend, which he cut in half. He lost his reelection bid in 2018 after dropping out of the race shortly before the election and endorsing Democrat Mark Begich in an effort to consolidate support against Republican Mike Dunleavy.
Since leaving office, Walker has remained active in public affairs, particularly on energy issues and efforts to advance a North Slope natural gas pipeline project.
Under Alaska’s election system, candidates must finalize their filings by the June 1 deadline in order to appear on the Aug. 18, 2026 primary ballot.
This story will be updated.
27 thoughts on “Bill Walker files for office … but which office? Governor???”
I cannot think of a single elected or appointed office for which Walker is qualified. And I must say that he’s one of the very few about which I can say he would absolutely be worse as a state senator than is Senator Tobin.
Walker really doesn’t know himself which office to run for. He’s checking everyone else’s background first, to make sure he doesn’t get involved with another pedophile.
He didn’t check last time – why would he this time?
Walker is a broken old man. He screwed up our state big time and lost many friends and tens of thousands of supporters. He’s in full denial.
The voter’s made up their minds years ago about him. What a tragedy that he doesn’t get it. Advanced dementia? Full-on Alzheimers?
So, the old lying sludge is going to try again. Pathetic. He is the father of our stolen PFDs. The crazy uncle of Scott Kendall. The American politician who famously bows to communist leaders abroad. Has no loyalty to anybody except his union bosses. Oh, and the husband of our state’s first lady who came from China with a stash of US currency tucked secretly away and undisclosed. Alaskans won’t be fooled by this piece of garbage again.
Whatever happened to that money his wife smuggled out of Communist China? Maybe Hunter Biden can give us some clues?
The money was put into the next Walker For Governor campaign in 2026.
The Communist Chinese still want him in their back pockets. Old Traitor Bill.
Fusion tickets were expressly outlawed until the sweeping change in election law which in part brought along RCV. The ballot clearly presented Walker and Mallott as an independent ticket. The ADN offered a narrative for years which attempted to circumvent those facts, leaving the uninitiated to believe that Walker was on the ballot and elected as an independent while Mallott was on the ballot and elected as a Democrat. It seems the (s)nooz is still trying to push that narrative regardless?
Could he be running for dog catcher?
I would feel sorry for the dogs.
He may be doing this in order to avoid being indicted for something. This fella is really old news. So tired of his performative tricks. He needs to move on.
Lt. Governor maybe? With Begich? Sorry, but that slot is already filled with another, but slightly more attractive, commie.
Try a different route, Bill. All the others have detour signs posted.
If the speculation in the Daily News turns out to be correct then the two fellows most responsible for major parts of the state government’s fiscal mess today would be running to again control the executive branch! I suppose that with Rank Choice Voting anything can happen but surely Alaskans are not so stupid as to elect people this dishonest.
Walker, no way. Try another country.
W.
“……..I suppose that with Rank Choice Voting anything can happen………..”
That is precisely what he (and another dozen or so candidates) are counting on, turning Alaskan elections into a circus atmosphere.
Walker claiming he’s non-partisan? What a laugh. He’s a democratic and proved it the last time.
No more baby boomers elected
You all done more than enough to enrich yourselves who are the only generation who holds on to power the longest. I think they are scared GenX, GenY, GenZ, and GenAlpha will reinstate a wealth tax, increase property taxes, and Real Estate Capital Gains Taxes because they hold the country’s greatest wealth.
And no more leaders from GenX and Millennials kissing up to boomers and covering their mistakes like GenX and Gen Y thinks they will share in the wealth boomers are hoarding.
Holy Cow! Woohoo!!!
This man had balls of steel and a vision for Alaska.
Good things will take time? Or will he hit the ground running since this will be his last term? Probably can’t sell the LNG to China anymore. I don’t know.
Whatever he decides to run, he’s got my full support and vote.
lol, this is good news!
Take a deep, low bow. Walker did, to his Red Chinese lord, right here on American soil. Balls of steel? You’re on drugs, bud. Walker doesn’t have any balls. He was castrated from the start under the Unity Ticket. The lefty Democrats who took over, and Byron Mallot as the pedophile on the Third Floor of the Capitol. Walker was, and still is, a feckless old man. And lonely. He has no real friends. Maybe you. But you better go stand with him soon, cuz he looks like a defeated man on his last legs. Sad!
“Whence comest thou” ? 🤘? 🤟?
The old coot, Bill Walker, thinks Alaskans want him back as governor? Walker is on drugs. The ghost of Byron Mallot has been making scheduled visitations with Bill and the next seance is coming again soon. Stay tuned!👻
He’s back to finish the job! That $1,000 PFD is still on the table! Lol
LoL, He only wants to cut it in half again which will still make a down payment on the majority of the Muni’s residential property tax increase (except for Mayor Lafrance’s residence which actually mysteriously got lowered as well as her cronies that propped her up and put a crown on her).
I am certain AQD put up a lion’s share of donation to get her elected in exchange for a no bid slush fund award to more than cover ten or twenty years of her property tax bill.
It really does pay to vote Democrat.
“………He’s back to finish the job! That $1,000 PFD is still on the table!………”
I believe that is exactly one of his goals. I’d support that, but I don’t think he has a snowball’s chance in Hell of getting elected, even in a rancid-choice election, and don’t want to waste my vote. I didn’t vote for him…….ever………because I thought his gas pipeline infatuation was not healthy, and still don’t. But I believe that the PFD socialist agenda is much, much more politically and socially dangerous than greed tied to gas.
Alaska has become the greediest place on Earth.
You haven’t been to Alexandria, Virginia….
Walkers wife hauled out a BIG dividend from Red China. Did the IRS catch them? Under President Joe Biden…….no. Hunter got away too. A pardon by Joe before any charges were brought. Telling …..isn’t it!
This is great for the Republicans. With ranked choice voting, he may dilute Tom Begich’s votes, preventing either from finishing in the top four.
Just make sure to follow his donor money trail; especially money that’ll be funneled from Communist China.