Last Saturday, Jan 10, the Alaska Young Republicans hosted their State Convention featuring a panel of ten of the twelve Republican gubernatorial candidates for this year’s election: Bernadette Wilson, Adam Crum, Edna DeVries, Matt Heilala, Shelley Hughes, Click Bishop, Treg Taylor, Dave Bronson, James Parkin IV, and Bruce Walden. Candidates for Governor Nancy Dahlstrom and Hank Henry Kroll did not participate in the event.
Click Bishop left the event early to attend a funeral. For coverage of his participation, please see Prior Coverage.
Closing Remarks
For closing remarks, candidates were asked to limit their remarks to 15 seconds. Most candidates spoke for 1-3 minutes.
Bernadette Wilson emphasized that she comes from outside the government and, as a business owner, she knows how to sign the front of a paycheck. People like her elected to government “have always been the best for us,” she claimed.
Adam Crum, who previously served as Commissioner of Revenue and Commissioner of Health, said, “I know the weight of government,” highlighting Alaska’s need for an experienced leader.
DeVries emphasized that she knows how to play the long-game and her experience as Mayor of the Mat-Su Borough has well prepared her.
Matt Heilala said that he is a political outsider, but a long-time Alaskan insider. “I am a change agent,” he stated.
Shelley Hughes emphasized Alaska’s need for an effective Republican leader, pointing to her experience as a former State Senator as critical to success.
Treg Taylor also highlighted how he can hit the ground running because of his experience as former Attorney General of Alaska. “I am the only candidate that’s fought on behalf of Alaska and won. And I am the only candidate who has worked with the Trump Administration,” he claimed.
Dave Bronson made a pointed effort to keep to the requested 15 seconds. He stated, “If you like me, go to davebronson.com. If you don’t like me, go to ADN.com.”
James Parkin IV referenced Teddy Roosevelt’s famous quote “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Then, speaking to all Alaskans, he said, “You are my ‘big stick.’ You have input.”
Bruce Walden promoted his books, stating, “I won’t give you soundbites; I will give you details.” He encouraged the audience to go get his books, offering to send free copies to anyone who cannot afford them.
Prior Coverage
In case you missed it…
Read MRAK’s coverage of Begich’s and Sullivan’s speeches and introductions from the 10 gubernatorial candidates: Alaska Young Republican State Convention Part I: Who Are the 2026 Gubernatorial Candidates?
Hear from Hughes, Crum, Taylor, and Wilson: AKYR State Convention Part II: What Is the Biggest Challenge Alaska Faces in the Next 5 Years?
Hear from Bishop, Walden, Bronson, and Heilala: AKYR State Convention Part III: What Is Current Leadership Getting Right and Where Is It Falling Short?
Hear from DeVries and Parkin: AKYR State Convention Part IV: What Issues Do We Face That We Aren’t Talking About Enough?
All ten candidates answer these hard-hitting questions: AKYR State Convention Part V: What Is Something Unpopular You Support? / Where Do Republicans Disagree and It Is Healthy Disagreement?
The candidates respond to audience’s questions about veterans and entrepreneurs: AKYR State Convention Part VI: Audience Questions