By SUZANNE DOWNING
June 27, 2026 – Anchorage Democratic Sen. Matt Claman has withdrawn from the 2026 race for governor, becoming the first candidate to leave the field on the final day candidates may withdraw before Alaska’s Aug. 18 primary.
In a statement released Saturday, Claman and his running mate for lieutenant governor, Sarah Skeel, announced they were ending their campaign after entering the race with what they described as a commitment to improve public safety, health care, education, and other services for Alaskans.
“We have decided to step away from the field, feeling confident that our key issues will be addressed and carried forward by other candidates who I know will provide leadership that Alaska needs right now,” Claman said. “I look forward to continuing my service in the Senate.”
Skeel said campaigning across Alaska had been “an inspiring experience” and reaffirmed her commitment to improving the health and welfare of Alaskans through public service.
Claman, who represents West Anchorage in the Alaska Senate and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, entered the gubernatorial race last November as one of a handful of Democratic candidates seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The others are Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich.
Claman’s campaign emphasized public safety, education, and a fiscally responsible approach to state government.
Under Alaska election law, June 27 is the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the primary ballot. Candidates remaining in the race will compete in the Aug. 18 open primary, with the top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advancing to the Nov. 3 general election under the state’s ranked-choice voting system.
Claman’s withdrawal narrows the Democratic field, leaving Tom Begich and Kreiss-Tomkins as the remaining major Democratic candidates for governor. Check back for updates on other candidate withdrawal decisions.
10 thoughts on “Claman exits Alaska governor’s race on final withdrawal day”
A more realistic and wiser choice of the AKDemocrat. He’ll have exercise more power maintaining the Democrat held Senate seat. Plus he’ll never be a Governor. The Republicans need to learn that lesson such as Bronson and Crum. Neither will ever be a Governor.
Something I noticed about most of the gubernatorial candidates most of them don’t have kids nor grandkids.
So they got nothing worthwhile to live for, most of the people running over the age of 50 want more time with their grandkids after spending their best and younger years chasing success, wealth, and power.
The only ones who should be on the ballot is Wilson, JKT, Crum, Meda, all very young and young enough to not have grandkids yet to come to realization chasing to change the world really wasn’t that important after holding their first grandbaby
JKT?
Shirley you jest.
I just went through the list. The only other significant change is that Sara Rasmussen stepped in as Lesil McGuire’s running mate.
Claman is a Hollis French clone – both are phonies. Claman still brags about being the architect of SB91, the crime-for-everybody legislation that the stupid legislature fell for. What a loser.
As much of a disaster as SB91 was, its passage didn’t bother me a lot.
At the time, the Bush lefties were beating the racism drums loudly. One of the SB91 provisions gave them what they wanted, which among other things blew up in their individual and collective faces, showing them to be fools or worse, shutting them up for years. I can live with that outcome.
The broken legislation was quickly amended / repealed, which is what ought to happen to things that don’t work. Too bad we don’t try that more often with other things that don’t work (public education, for instance). Cheers –
Much smarter than Click. More honest than Tom Begich. Much more experienced and wiser than JKT (proof is that JKT think the Knowles endorsement is helpful). But now there are three to split that vote rather than four. Also, Walker will take some votes away from these 3 Musketeers.
More like mouseketeers. 🐭🐭🐭🪤
🤡Claman was never really in it.
Was he?
As,I recall, it was on here that he missed the filing deadline recently