By Suzanne Downing 
Anchorage Democrat Sen. Matt Claman has officially filed to run for governor, becoming the second Democrat to enter the 2026 race after former Sen. Tom Begich.
Claman, a veteran legislator and attorney, announced his campaign this week. He has represented West Anchorage in the Legislature since 2019 and previously served on the Anchorage Assembly, including a term as acting mayor.
In his announcement, Claman said his campaign will focus on “addressing statewide issues and building a strong future for Alaskans.” His campaign website is live at www.mattclaman.com.
Claman’s entry adds another familiar name to an increasingly crowded race to succeed Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who is term-limited and will leave office in December 2026. As of this week, a dozen Republicans have filed campaigns and politicos say there may be more to come.
Claman faced an undisclosed health challenges in recent months. Earlier this year, he was medevaced from Juneau to Seattle following a medical emergency and was absent from weeks of the legislative session. Upon returning to the Capitol, he appeared noticeably gaunt and frailer, but remained engaged in committee work and floor debates.
Known for his bland disposition and legal precision, Claman positions himself as a moderate Democrat.
He’s about as “moderate” asZohran Mamdani
My experience: DO NOT VOTE FOR HIM AS GOVERNOR UNLESS YOU WANT THE REST OF YOUR PFD TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AND SPENT ON PROGRAMS THAT DON’T BENEFIT YOU. HE CLAIMS TO BE A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE BUT TO HIM THAT MEANS NO PFD JUST SPEND MONEY ON PROGRAMS
Living in his district during his stints as on the assembly as acting mayor and in the legislature is a nightmare for anyone who isn’t a far leftist, communist or marxist. Those are the people that support him and the ideology he supports. Look at his votes, red flag laws support, ideas he pushes for, etc., all democrat and typical extreme national democrat platform. Was a dictator while acting as mayor. Doesn’t represent interests of those in his district that are republican, actual conservatives.
“Moderate democrat” my eye. He’s a union-loving, tax-loving lawyer that we don’t need. He’s a Hollis French clone who listens intently to Lisa Murkowski and ignores Dan Sullivan. His newsletter is very biased and his frequent surveys are heavily cooked. But, all the Subaru-loving, yard-sign loving, do-nothings in West Anchorage will elect him.
He also doesn’t supervise his staff, or hold them accountable, even when they commit despicable acts
I forgot to add: Claman was the architect of the infamous SB91 that changed the Alaska justice system: It allowed criminals to go free and victims to be laughed at. He still bragged about it in his newsletter even after it had to be gutted because it was so stupid. In other words, he cannot admit when he’s wrong but he has a following in a lot of stupid legislators (the ones who supported SB91).
He’s a candidate that can unify democrats on their RCV ballot. A good choice.
This is why I say “Republicans GOP- your strategy to fill up the RCV ballot with candidates won’t work to get a Republican Governor unless the goal is to pave the way for a Democrat govenor in 2027 making it likely so Clamon can be govenor” you do not live in a solid Red state such as Senate district 6 where there is room for Three R’s without losing to a democrat
He’s perfect for them nothing but left Turningin circles, slowly going nowhere,just like they want,no progress at all
Yes. Clamon is a very thoughtful choice coming out of the AKDemocrat party. I can tell those in the party have thought this one through while they were watching what candidates AK GOP allowed to declare their candidacy. Which if the party doesn’t want a Democrat elected to the Govenors office in 2027, they’d have an emergency meeting because what plan they are following today will not help them to win he Governor’s seat another four-8 years
Bernadette Wilson/Sen Shower is your best R choice to compete against the Democrat choice
The two opponents complement each other in being opposites
Plus too Bernadette is younger and looks more fresh and can appeal better to a greater audience
Claman was known by the prosecutors and the judges to be lazy and most of the time unprepared in court. He mostly got his clients to plead out the cases against them rather than go to court. He was not respected by many of the public Defenders who worked hard for their clients. And in the rare cases where he actually went to court he was rarely prepared.
Is this the kind of person you want to be Governor?