The Bernadette Wilson for Governor campaign announced two major additions to its senior leadership team on Thursday, tapping seasoned political campaigners Paul Smith and CJ Koan, both of whom played instrumental roles in Nick Begich III’s successful 2024 congressional campaign.
Smith joins Team Bernadette as general consultant, bringing with him a national reputation for winning hard-fought races, while Koan will serve as campaign manager, leveraging decades of experience in federal service and grassroots political organization.
“We are thrilled to welcome Paul and CJ to our team,” said Bernadette Wilson, who officially launched her campaign last week in Juneau. “Their proven leadership, deep knowledge of Alaska and national politics, and track record of delivering results make them invaluable additions as we enter the next phase of our campaign.” In addition, she worked with them both while she was a senior adviser to the Begich for Congress campaign in 2024.
Smith, a graduate of Hillsdale College, first made national headlines after managing Rep. Rod Blum’s 2014 upset victory in Iowa—a race Politico named one of the top five political upsets of that cycle. Smith later served as Blum’s Chief of Staff. He co-founded Rival Strategy Group and has since consulted on high-profile races across the country, including helping flip two historically Democratic districts in South Texas in 2022. Most recently, Smith helped unseat Alaska incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola in 2024 while serving as general consultant to Nick Begich III.
“I’ve been privileged to be a part of some incredible campaigns,” said Smith. “And helping elect a bold, principled leader like Bernadette to lead Alaska into its next chapter is a challenge I’m extremely honored to take on.”
Campaign manager CJ Koan, a longtime Alaskan, brings a unique blend of technical expertise and political strategy. A retired FAA project manager and former military liaison, Koan transitioned into political consulting by founding 137 Initiative, LLC, based in Wasilla. Behind the scenes, she played a pivotal role in managing logistics and operations for Begich’s 2024 victory.
In addition to her professional background, Koan has served in various leadership roles within the Alaska Republican Party, including on the executive board of her local House District and as the Region 2 Representative. She chaired the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission and currently serves as vice president of the Valley Republican Women of Alaska.
“Alaska is at a turning point, and Bernadette is the kind of leader who brings people together to solve problems,” said Koan. “I’m excited to be part of a team that puts Alaska first and isn’t afraid to shake things up.”
With the Republican primary more than a year away, Wilson’s campaign is ramping up operations early, building a robust ground game and expanding its presence across the state. She has appeared at several events already to reintroduce herself, this time not as a campaign aide, but as a candidate for governor. The addition of Smith and Koan is expected to significantly enhance the campaign’s organizational strength and strategic reach.