Alaska's 2022 gubernatorial election marked a historic shift in how the state votes
In short: The 2022 Alaska gubernatorial race was a landmark event, serving as the first test of a new nonpartisan blanket primary system. Incumbent Mike Dunleavy secured a second term, achieving a political milestone not seen in the state for over two decades, while shifting electoral maps revealed surprising new voting patterns.
Held on November 8, 2022, the election saw Republican incumbent Mike Dunleavy win re-election. This victory was historically significant, as he became the first Republican governor to win a second consecutive term since Jay Hammond in 1978. Furthermore, he was the first governor of any political affiliation to achieve this feat since Tony Knowles in 1998.
The process was fundamentally altered by the 2020 approval of Ballot Measure 2, which introduced a nonpartisan blanket top-four primary. Under this system, all candidates competed in a single primary on August 16, 2022, with the top four advancing to the general election. Alongside Dunleavy, the field included Democrat Les Gara, independent Bill Walker, and Republican Charlie Pierce. Dunleavy ultimately secured a majority in the first round, which bypassed the need for an instant runoff.
Beyond the top-level results, the election cycle highlighted notable shifts in regional voting behavior across Alaska. Several areas, including the North Slope Borough, the Bethel Census Area, and the Aleutians East Borough, flipped from Democratic to Republican support. Meanwhile, other regions like the Haines Borough and the Hoonah–Angoon Census Area transitioned from Democratic to independent, reflecting a complex and evolving political landscape in the state.
The campaign also saw significant internal changes for the candidates. Dunleavy’s original running mate, Kevin Meyer, withdrew from the race in December 2021, leading to the selection of Nancy Dahlstrom. Other candidates, such as Charlie Pierce, ran with different partners, including Edie Grunwald. These dynamics, combined with the new primary structure, underscore the unique nature of Alaska’s 2022 electoral cycle.
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