By SUZANNE DOWNING
May 28, 2926 – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Claman has selected longtime healthcare executive Sarah Skeel as his running mate, becoming one of the latest candidates to complete a gubernatorial ticket ahead of Alaska’s June 1 filing deadline.
Claman announced Thursday that Skeel, a licensed clinical social worker and former chief administrative officer of Providence Alaska Medical Center, will join his campaign as its candidate for lieutenant governor.
“It’s going to take each and every one of us working together to build a better Alaska,” Claman said in a statement announcing the selection. He described Skeel as a “people-first problem solver” with nearly two decades of experience managing healthcare operations in Southcentral Alaska.
“Affordable, accessible healthcare is essential to our success. Building a better Alaska starts with a healthy Alaska, and that starts with an investment in preventative care,” Claman said.
Skeel was born and raised in Alaska and has spent much of her professional career at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. She was appointed chief administrative officer of the hospital in 2023, overseeing a broad portfolio of clinical operations that included cardiovascular services, neurosciences, orthopedics, cancer care, surgical services, imaging, rehabilitation therapies, nutrition services, and other hospital functions.
Before becoming chief administrative officer, Skeel served as executive director of surgical and procedural services and accumulated nearly two decades of hospital leadership experience across multiple medical specialties.
She earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2003 and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Idaho. Skeel is a licensed clinical social worker and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Throughout her healthcare career, Skeel has been involved in quality improvement initiatives, behavioral health programs, stroke certification efforts, organ donation advocacy, and healthcare policy discussions. She has also served in community leadership roles, including chairing the 2024 Alaska Heart Run and Walk for the American Heart Association.
Claman said Skeel’s healthcare background aligns with one of his campaign’s central themes: improving access to healthcare for Alaskans.
“I’m excited to work with Sarah because of her experience and because I know she shares my vision for Alaska, especially when it comes to our healthcare system,” he said.
The announcement comes as candidates for governor race to finalize their tickets before Monday’s filing deadline. Under Alaska election law, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor must file jointly in order to appear on the ballot.
Claman, a former Anchorage assembly member and longtime state legislator, is one of a crowded field of candidates seeking the governor’s office in 2026. Several candidates have announced running mates in recent weeks, while others are expected to do so before the filing deadline.
Skeel’s selection adds another healthcare professional to Alaska’s political landscape at a time when access to medical care, provider shortages, behavioral health services, and rising healthcare costs remain significant concerns for voters across the state.
5 thoughts on “Claman picks healthcare executive for his running mate”
Claman is like something you need a prescription or shot to make go away
ClamanydiaT
Social work, psychology. Leftist, guaranteed
Yeah, but this society definitely needs as much psychiatric help as it can get……..if the psychiatric care taught in our academic system works, which it doesn’t appear to.
LOL