In a major moment for her campaign, Alaska gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson received a high-profile endorsement at a rally in Anchorage on Sunday: Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, a national figure and close confidante and ally of President Donald Trump, taped a special video message for Wilson, calling her a “true conservative, committed to America First principles.” Donalds himself carries Trump’s endorsement in Florida’s governor’s race to replace Gov Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited.
The rally, with a packed house of supporters, featured a lineup of conservative voices from Alaska, including:
- Pastor Ron Hoffman of Mountain City Church
- Father James Moore, Holy Family
- Captain Dino Sutherland, star of Alaska Fish Wars on National Geographic Wild
- Jiujitsu fighter and Moms for Liberty Anchorage chapter chair Gabby Ide (not speaking on behalf of group)
- Steven Holmstock, with Bikers for America (not speaking on behalf of group)
- Pam Melin, business executive and president of the Valley Republican Women of Alaska, who formally introduced Wilson
- Theo Ransum, business lending officer and emcee for the event
Wilson, a business owner at Denali Disposal, focused her remarks on the need for action, not just talk, on topics such as infrastructure and education, vowing that her administration would build roads and restore Alaska’s schools to national prominence. When the next cabinet members visit Alaska, she said, it should be for a ribbon cutting for a project that is done.
Wilson also shared a personal story about a weekend fire that occurred this winter, which destroyed her decade-old garbage business, including garbage trucks and equipment that went up in flames that burned for an entire day before being extinguished by firefighters.
Describing how she worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure her employees still had jobs when they returned to work on that following Monday morning, she committed to the room on Saturday that she “will bring that level of grit and determination to the governor’s seat.”
Though Wilson is a political veteran, she has never run for office herself. She has run campaigns and state ballot initiatives, and was most recently a senior campaign advisor to Congressman Nick Begich and original sponsor of the Repeal Now, to repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska.
She reminded the crowd that Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, and Wilson’s own great-uncle — former Alaska Gov. Wally Hickel — all entered high office without prior elected experience. The same could be said about Congressman Nick Begich, who came from the business community.
Her campaign team, already announced, includes CJ Koan, Paul Smith, Ben Yoho, Brad Herold, and Stephanie Williams, among several others. She revealed that she and Congressman Donalds share a top campaign advisor in Chris Hudson.
Wilson deeply roots her candidacy in her Alaska background, including her family, which has strong business ties, her great-uncle Gov. Hickel. Her heritage includes being a member of the Naknek Native Village Council.
After seeing her speak and talking with her after a small gathering I would say she is definitly up to the job. But putting together the whole team will be the challenge. It will be interesting to see who she picks for her cabinet, as that is where the rubber meets the road.
Insightful comment.
Best that Byron keeps his nose out of Alaska politics.
Not sure why you don’t like Byron. Is it because he is black? A Republican? Endorsed Nick Begich and convinced Trump to endorse Nick Begich? Is an America First guy who is hoping for another Republican governor who he can work with to Make America Great Again?
“Bernie” is off to a really great start. Her candidacy is infectiously thrilling. She will make a terrific governor.
She is the ‘Right’ Bernie 😊!
A candidate who knows how to run a successful business and understands budgeting and fiscal responsibility would definitely get my vote over someone who only has government employment experience. Too many of our elected officials are of the later. Unless they have had some education in finance, business admin or economics most are better equipped at only spending and not fiscal responsibility. Our current legislature is pretty much proof of that. I am keeping an eye on Bernadette for sure.
B Now, what a racist thing to say about a great American. Shame on you.