Sturgeon, who beat federal government twice at Supreme Court, endorses Crum for governor

By SUZANNE DOWNING

July 15, 2026 – John Sturgeon, the Alaskan whose legal battle against the federal government produced two landmark U.S. Supreme Court victories affirming Alaska’s rights under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, has endorsed Adam Crum and Bob Craig for governor and lieutenant governor.

Sturgeon’s endorsement carries particular weight among Alaska hunters, outdoorsmen, and advocates of state sovereignty. His case, Sturgeon v. Frost, became one of the most significant Alaska land-management decisions in decades, reinforcing limits on federal authority over certain navigable waters within Alaska.

“Alaska belongs to Alaskans. I spent years fighting to protect our right to use the lands and waters that have defined this state for generations, and I know firsthand what it costs when government overreach goes unchecked,” Sturgeon said. “Adam Crum and Bob Craig will fight to protect our outdoor heritage, our way of life, and our sovereignty as a state. They have my full endorsement.”

Sturgeon gained national attention after the National Park Service ordered him to stop operating his hovercraft on the Nation River, which he had used for decades to reach moose hunting areas within the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.

Rather than comply, Sturgeon challenged the federal government in court. The dispute ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court twice.

In 2016, the justices unanimously ruled that lower courts had interpreted federal authority too broadly and ordered the case reconsidered. Three years later, the Supreme Court again ruled unanimously in Sturgeon’s favor, holding that the National Park Service could not enforce its nationwide hovercraft ban on navigable waters in Alaska that are not federally owned. The decision clarified important provisions of ANILCA and reaffirmed Alaska’s unique legal framework governing lands and waters within the state.

The rulings have been widely viewed as major victories for Alaska’s statehood rights and for public access advocates concerned about expanding federal control over navigable waters.

Sturgeon’s endorsement also adds to what the Crum campaign describes as growing support from Alaska’s outdoor community.

Earlier this month, Crum received the endorsement of the Alaska Outdoor Council, one of the state’s oldest and most influential organizations representing hunters, anglers, trappers, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

“John Sturgeon is a true Alaskan hero and a patriot who refused to let the federal government strip away access to lands and waters his family had hunted for years — and he won,” Crum said. “That same determination is what Alaska needs in the governor’s office. I will always put Alaskans first.”

The endorsement comes as candidates continue building coalitions ahead of Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary election.