Mark Somerville: A case for Bernadette Wilson for governor

By MARK SOMERVILLE

May 21, 2026 – The Republican Convention has come and gone.  From what I’ve read, Republicans came together with energy and better focus.  They even voted to sanction those in the party that caucus with Democrats in the legislature.

All good news, but it isn’t enough.

Remember the days when our legislature was divided between Democrats and Republicans with a few true independents mixed in?  The term “other side of the aisle” made sense. The legislative split came down to viewpoint or perspective.  In a simplified view, one side looked at solving problems through social avenues and more government support while the other solving problems through jobs, incentives for industry or removing regulatory barriers.

Yet most legislators truly tried to do best for the state.  Not anymore.

The aisle has become a wall of ideology and lust for power. The needs of Alaskans have become secondary for some who want nothing more than to gain and hold perceived power and influence.  When held in the bubble of Juneau long enough, it is easy to see how some fall into this trap, never realizing that the first time they compromise their principles they are fallen.  It doesn’t take long after that to make the leap of compromise and then to actually empower their once rivals into the majority. All for a “seat at the table”, a co-chair slot, and the illusion that they will be able to honor a shadow of what they once held as principles.

The results are all too obvious: Loss of the people’s PFD, blind increases in the BSA (for the children), and feel-good spending for social justice causes are big losses to Alaskans. But it doesn’t stop there. The supposed bipartisan compromise bills like SB64 always come with fatal flaws to haunt us. Worst yet are the bills that would never see the light of day without turncoat Republican support like monkeying with school student counts, a new pension plan, mental health classes in schools, and top most, the utter insanity of the changes made to SB 280.

Well, I’ve had enough.  I was a happy Republican voter who never missed an election but also never got too involved in the politics. I rarely donated to any campaign. That has now changed. I have followed the governor’s race closely and sat through several forums.  All the candidates seem like good folk and would do what they felt was right in office.  There are a couple of candidates that may even do OK as governor, but they each talk about working across the aisle. That only leads to some loud talking with a little stick.

What we need is a governor that will lead the Republican party by example, not just censuring those that jump caucuses, but inspiring true Republican candidates to run against them.  A governor who will stand on principle rather than compromise to secure a political future.

The only candidate to campaign on these qualities is Bernadette Wilson.  I don’t know if a Wilson Administration will run smoothly or not for it would surely get significant resistance from the Democrat machine. But it will run effectively on principle and integrity. Whether she speaks softly or loudly I don’t think Bernadette Wilson will limit herself to a small stick of compromise and negotiation. That is the kind of Governor Alaska needs to break free from our dysfunctional legislature and path to insolvency.

Mark Somerville moved to Alaska in 1984 for a 6-month job and never left. He conducted research and managed remote salmon hatcheries in Prince William Sound for Prince William Sound Aquaculture until 2005, then did a stint as a permitter with Habitat Division when it was part of the Department of Natural Resources.  For the last 18 years he worked for ADF&G Division of Sport Fish overseeing the sport, personal use and subsistence fisheries of the Upper Copper Upper Susitna Management Area. Along the way, he helped his wife raise a family, and his children all still live and work in Alaska. He retired in 2025 and remain a member of the Copper River School District Board of Education, Copper Basin Board of Fisheries Advisory Council, the Copper Basin Shooting Club, a Hunter Education Instructor, and National Archery in the Schools instructor and instructor trainer.  The opinions he expresses are his own and do not reflect the views of any organization he belongs to or serves.