Gov. Mike Dunleavy added his name to the growing list of major endorsements for Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, the campaign announced on Friday. Earlier this week, former Mayor Dan Sullivan and U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan joined the Bronson list of endorsers.
“Dave Bronson has been a key partner in driving Alaska’s economic prosperity,” Dunleavy said. “Together, we’ve streamlined city and state operations, creating a more efficient government that better serves our citizens. By working together, we have encouraged economic growth and investment in Anchorage. Dave’s leadership is crucial for our continued success. I endorse him for reelection and encourage Anchorage voters to return their ballots by April 2.”
“It is an honor to be endorsed by Gov. Dunleavy,” Mayor Dave Bronson. “We have worked well with the governor and his team over the last three years to ensure the State of Alaska and the Municipality of Anchorage operate as partners, delivering government services more efficiently and being responsive to citizens. I look forward to our continued collaboration and thank Governor Dunleavy for the endorsement.”
New to politics, Bronson ran for mayor in 2021, beating the campaign veteran Democrat Forrest Dunbar. Bronson had run for office only once before that race and had been a commercial pilot for his career, as well as a member of the U.S. Air Force. But with hardly any name recognition, he beat someone with a household name — Dunbar had run for Congress against U.S. Congressman Don Young, and had then run and twice won a seat on the Anchorage Assembly, where he championed all-things Democrat.
Dunbar, who blamed his loss on the intensity that people were feeling about the Covid pandemic, has endorsed Suzanne LaFrance for mayor. LaFrance championed lockdowns in Anchorage during Covid.
Anchorage voters must have their ballots returned by 8 p.m. on April 2.
In order to win outright, Bronson will need 45% of the vote. If he comes up short, the top two vote getters will be in a runoff, which will require another round of ballots to be mailed out to voters and another short-but-intense campaign, with ballots mailed May 6 and needing to be voted and returned by the May 14 runoff deadline.
