This article was first published in “Seward’s Folly,” the author’s personal Substack, September 12, 2026.
Bernadette Wilson is running a very unusual political campaign. She is practically invisible, making few public appearances, refusing to answer most candidate questionnaires, and has not participated in debates with the other candidates for governor. Her most recent absence was in the public debate hosted by the Last Frontier Republican Club on Tuesday. The other three candidates participated; Wilson did not. You have to wonder what her strategy is and who is advising her. It is almost like she is running a “Where’s Waldo” political campaign.
In the run-up to the primary, she may have had a good reason to campaign this way. Twelve Republicans were running, and Wilson led every poll leading up to election day. Everyone knew the number of candidates would fragment the Republican vote, and as long as she led the polls, she did not need to risk a political mistake that could cost her votes. That campaign strategy worked out for her. She received more votes than any other Republican and is on the General Election ballot in November.
However, the 10% of the votes she got in the primary is not enough to be elected governor. The general election is a different ballgame, and the rope-a-dope strategy will not work now. There are only four candidates left in the race, and Wilson has been the least visible of them all. Since the August 18 primary, the only appearance she has made with the other candidates was at a September 9th fisheries forum in Kodiak that was not widely covered in the media. No matter how she did in that forum, few people saw her statewide.
Her first opportunity to participate in a debate with broader coverage was the debate last Tuesday, which is still available online. By not appearing, the other three candidates got airtime, but she missed out. Every Republican is going to have to convince the voters to be their first choice, and if not, to also be included when they rank the candidates on their RCV ballot. If voters get the impression that Wilson is ignoring them, or that she believes she already has the election in the bag, it may alienate them against her.
Wilson should not have anything to fear from a public debate. She has taken positions on the issues that should resonate with conservatives. She is pro-development, she is pro-life, and she believes we should reduce the size of government. All of these are positions that poll well in this state, but there is one unanswered question remaining about her: is she a strong leader who is ready for the job?
Alaska has a very contentious political environment, with a powerful legislature that runs roughshod over weak governors. Not to mention the small group of influential liberal elites that would love nothing more than to tie up the new governor in a recall election if they try to act like a conservative. Just ask outgoing Governor Mike Dunleavy how that worked out.
The next governor will have to lead the state through the negotiations to get the gas line built and try to find balance in the state’s budget without stealing more of the annual PFD from voters. This is going to take a strong, experienced leader able to work with the legislature. The other three candidates in this race have a record of political experience. Two have worked in Juneau; one led our state’s largest city. Voters want to see Wilson prove that she can do the job despite her lack of experience. She can do that by getting on stage and competing in the arena of ideas with the other candidates.
If I were her campaign manager, I would have Wilson participate in every candidate forum or debate. In addition, she should flood the media. She should answer every candidate questionnaire from every conservative news source. I would have Wilson do one-on-one interviews with Joel Davidson at the Alaska Watchman, and Natalie Spaulding with Must Read Alaska. Next, she should get on every local radio show that will give her five minutes of airtime. Finally, she should try to get an appearance on Steve Bannon’s nationally syndicated podcast. If Wilson wants to win this race, she should run as the biggest MAGA candidate out there, and there would be no better place to get national coverage than Bannon’s show.
Wilson needs to show that she wants this job and is strong enough to do it well. Otherwise, we will have to conclude that she is just another pretty face trying to advance her fortunes by running for governor. Alaska tried that once before with Sarah Palin. It did not work out very well for us. Bernadette Wilson needs to prove she is worthy of the office and had better do it fast.
Must Read Alaska reached out to Bernadette Wilson’s campaign manager for comment on why she did not attend the Last Frontier Republican Club debate and did not receive a response.
Must Read Alaska unequivocally supports the election of a conservative to the Office of Governor but does not endorse a particular gubernatorial candidate. MRAK encourages voters to rank all three Republicans in their preferred order.
