The 2018 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Alaska. In the primaries for recognized political parties, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run separately. The winners of each respective primary for governor and lieutenant governor then become a joint ticket in the general election for their political party. Incumbent Independent Governor Bill Walker was seeking re-election in what was originally a three-way race between Walker, Republican former Alaska state senator Mike Dunleavy, and Democratic former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich. Despite Walker dropping out on October 19, 2018, and endorsing Begich, Dunleavy won in what was the only gubernatorial gain by a Republican candidate in 2018. As of 2026, this was the last time the governor's office in Alaska changed partisan control. Walker later unsuccessfully ran for governor of Alaska in 2022.
This was the only independent-held governorship up for election in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2016 presidential election.
Independents Governor Withdrew Bill Walker (Independent), incumbent governor
Lieutenant governor Withdrew Valerie Davidson (Independent), incumbent lieutenant governor since October 16 Byron Mallott (Democratic), incumbent lieutenant governor until October 16
Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary Candidates from the Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska Libertarian Party and Alaskan Independence Party appear on the same ballot, with the highest-placed candidate from each party receiving that party's nomination. In October 2017 the AKDP sued for the right to allow non-Democrats to compete for and win the Democratic nomination, which was ultimately decided in their favor in April 2018. This move was widely thought to benefit incumbent Gov. Bill Walker, to foreclose the possibility of a Democratic nominee splitting the vote with Walker against a Republican nominee. However, with the entry of former senator Mark Begich into the race, Walker withdrew from the Democratic primary and forged ahead with a fully independent bid for reelection.
Governor Declared
Mark Begich (Democratic), former U.S. senator William S. "Billy" Toien (Libertarian), Libertarian candidate for Alaska governor in 2010
Polling
with Mark Begich Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MarkBegich LesGara ChrisTuck BillWielechowski UndecidedHarstad Strategic ResearchHarstad Strategic Research March 22 – April 2, 2017 205 ± 2.2% 42% 15% 3% 8% 32% – 25% 5% 19% 51% 49% – 5% 12% 34% 43% 15% – 8% 34% 44% 19% 4% – 32%
Endorsements Results
Lieutenant governor
Declared
Debra Call (Democratic), Cook Inlet Tribal Council Board of Directors representative
Withdrawn
Edgar Blatchford (Democratic), former mayor of Seward
Results
Republican primary Governor
Nominated Mike Dunleavy, educator and former state senator
Eliminated in primary Dorian Colbry Thomas A. "Tom" Gordon Gerald Heikes, perennial candidate Merica Hlatcu Michael Sheldon Mead Treadwell, former lieutenant governor
Withdrawn Mike Chenault, state representative and former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Scott Hawkins, businessman
Declined
Robert Gillam, businessman Loren Leman, former lieutenant governor Anna MacKinnon, state senator (endorsed Mike Dunleavy) Peter Micciche, state senator (running for re-election to state senate) Joe Miller, former magistrate judge and perennial candidate Frank Murkowski, former governor of Alaska and U.S. Senator Sean Parnell, former governor of Alaska (endorsed Mike Dunleavy) Ben Stevens, former president of the Alaska State Senate, son of former president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, Solicitor of the Interior Department & U.S. Attorney Ted Stevens Dan Sullivan, former mayor of Anchorage and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014 (endorsed Mike Dunleavy) Bill Walker, incumbent Independent governor (running for re-election as an Independent)
Endorsements Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeDunleavy ScottHawkins MeadTreadwell Other UndecidedDittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska)Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska) June 5–7, 2018 400 ± 4.9% 46% 7% 19% 3% 25%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JohnBinkley MikeDunleavy PeterMiccici JoeMiller BillWalker Other UndecidedHarstad Strategic ResearchHarstad Strategic Research March 22 – April 2, 2017 281 ± 2.2% 7% 6% 4% 25% 19% 3%Mike Chennault 3% 36% 9% 8% 6% 29% – 4%Mike Chennault 4% 46% 8% 10% 5% – 25% 4% 48% – – – 33% 21% – 46%
Results
Lieutenant governor
Declared
Lynn Gattis, former state representative and candidate for the state senate in 2016 Edie Grunwald, retired Air Force colonel and former human resources director for the Alaska National Guard Sharon Jackson, activist and former congressional staffer Kevin Meyer, state senator and former president of the Alaska Senate Gary Stevens, state senator Stephen Wright, Air Force veteran
Declined
Glen Thompson, Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assemblyman David Wilson, state senator
Results
General election Campaign Independent candidate and incumbent governor Bill Walker announced on October 19 that he was suspending his campaign and endorsing Mark Begich, three days after Walker's running mate and incumbent lieutenant governor Byron Mallott resigned from office (and amid low polling numbers just three weeks before election day). However, Walker and Mallott still remained on the ballot, as the deadline to withdraw was September 4.
Debates Dates Location Dunleavy Begich LinkOctober 25, 2018Anchorage, AlaskaParticipantParticipant Full debate - C-SPAN
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Report October 26, 2018The Washington Post November 5, 2018FiveThirtyEight November 5, 2018Rothenberg Political Report November 1, 2018Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2018RealClearPolitics November 4, 2018Daily Kos November 5, 2018Fox News November 5, 2018Politico November 5, 2018Governing November 5, 2018
Endorsements
Polling with Bill Walker (campaign suspended), Mike Dunleavy, and Mark Begich
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillWalker (I) MikeDunleavy (R) MarkBegich (D) BillyToien (L) Other UndecidedAlaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research October 26–29, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 8% 43% 42% 3% – 4%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research October 19–22, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 5% 48% 44% – – 3%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research October 12–14, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 27% 43% 26% – – 4%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) October 11–12, 2018 645 – 24% 43% 23% – – 9%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research October 1–6, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 27% 47% 23% – – 4%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research September 21–25, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 23% 44% 29% – – 4%Harstad Strategic ResearchHarstad Strategic Research August 13–16, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 26% 36% 24% – 2% 12%Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker)Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker) June 22–28, 2018 800 ± 3.4% 28% 36% 22% – – 15%Harstad Strategic Research (D)Harstad Strategic Research (D) June 21–26, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 28% 32% 28% – – 12%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research June 15–21, 2018 654 ± 3.8% 23% 38% 33% – – 6%
with Mark Begich and Mike Dunleavy Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MarkBegich (D) MikeDunleavy (R) UndecidedAlaska Survey Research October 12–14, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 45% 52% 4%Alaska Survey Research October 1–6, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 41% 55% 5%Alaska Survey Research September 21–25, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 47% 50% 3%Harstad Strategic Research August 13–16, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 46% 44% –Harstad Strategic Research (D) June 21–26, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 50% 41% 9%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research March 25–29, 2018 761 ± 3.6% 53% 42% 5%
with Bill Walker and Mike Dunleavy Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillWalker (I) MikeDunleavy (R) UndecidedAlaska Survey Research October 12–14, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 45% 52% 2%Alaska Survey Research October 1–6, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 43% 53% 4%Alaska Survey Research September 21–25, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 41% 54% 5%Harstad Strategic Research August 13–16, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 47% 43% –Harstad Strategic Research (D) June 21–26, 2018 602 ± 4.0% 49% 40% 11%Alaska Survey ResearchAlaska Survey Research March 25–29, 2018 761 ± 3.6% 51% 44% 5%Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska)Dittman Research (R-Dunleavy for Alaska) February 26 – March 4, 2018 800 ± 3.4% 41% 47% 12%Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker)Patinkin Research Strategies (I-Walker) February 20–22, 2018 600 ± 4.0% 36% 33% 31%
with Bill Walker and Mark Begich Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillWalker (I) MarkBegich (D) UndecidedAlaska Survey Research October 12–14, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 43% 42% 16%Alaska Survey Research October 1–6, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 42% 41% 18%Alaska Survey Research September 21–25, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 40% 46% 15%
Results
Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Independent to Republican Denali Borough (largest city: Healy) Fairbanks North Star (largest city: Fairbanks) Petersburg Valdez–Cordova Census Area (largest city: Valdez)
Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Independent to Democratic Aleutians West Census Area (largest city: Unalaska) Anchorage Bethel Census Area (largest city: Bethel) Kusilvak Census Area (largest city: Hooper Bay) Nome Census Area (largest city: Nome) Dilingham Census Area (largest city: Dilingham) Kodiak Island (largest city: Kodiak Island) Lake & Peninsula Borough (largest city: Newhalen) North Slope Borough (largest city: Utqiaġvik) Northwest Arctic Borough (largest city: Kotzebue) Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area (largest city: Craig) Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area (largest city: Fort Yukon) Juneau Sitka Skagway Hoonah–Angoon Census Area (largest town: Hoonah) Haines Borough (largest census-designated place: Haines) Yakutat
Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Republican to Democratic Aleutians East Borough (largest city: Akutan) Bristol Bay Borough (largest city: Naknek)
Notes
References
External links Candidates at Vote Smart Candidates at Ballotpedia
Official gubernatorial campaign websites Mark Begich (D) for Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) for Governor
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites Kevin Meyer (R) for Lieutenant Governor
Alaska Division of Elections Unofficial Election Results - Nov. 2018