Is Alaska About to Turn Blue? Suzanne Downing’s Unfiltered Election Take

Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Bernadette Wilson joins host John Quick on The Northern Ledger to discuss Alaska's 2026 governor's race, her vision for the state's future, and what she calls "Alaska's comeback story." After receiving the most primary votes among Republican candidates and leading the Republican field in campaign fundraising, Wilson discusses the momentum behind her campaign, what she's hearing from voters across Alaska, and her recent debate with Democratic candidate JKT and other Republican contenders. The conversation also explores President Donald Trump's $54 billion Alaska gas line announcement, Wilson's plans for moving the project forward, and the role of Governor Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich in advancing Alaska's energy development. Wilson also shares her positions on education reform, school choice, the Permanent Fund Dividend, government spending, transparency, and election integrity. She explains why she selected former State Senator Mike Shower as her running mate, discusses using artificial intelligence to improve education, and outlines how she would communicate directly with Alaskans as governor. With the November election approaching, Wilson reflects on her business background, her family's connection to former Governor Wally Hickel, and why she believes Alaska's next governor needs to focus on economic growth, accountability, and delivering results. Learn more about Bernadette Wilson, her campaign, and her policy positions at: https://bernadetteforgovernor.com/ Subscribe to The Northern Ledger for more conversations with the candidates and leaders shaping Alaska's future.

John Quick sits down with Suzanne Downing of The Alaska Story on The Northern Ledger for a wide-ranging conversation on Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Alaska, the final stretch of election season, and the major races and ballot measures shaping the state. Downing shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to travel with the vice president’s team on Air Force Two, from the security process at JBER to the flight into Fairbanks, the rally atmosphere, and the logistics of a vice-presidential visit. She describes the crowd reaction, the media setup, Senator Dan Sullivan’s role in the event, and why the Fairbanks stop stood out during a major election year. The conversation also turns to Alaska’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, including Sullivan’s campaign, former Congresswoman Mary Peltola’s bid, outside spending, political ads, and the fight for Alaska voters. Downing also discusses recent reporting about Peltola’s congressional office and campaign, questions about staff turnover and constituent responsiveness, and how those issues could affect the race. John and Suzanne also cover the governor’s race, including Bernadette Wilson & Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, along with the debate over ranked choice voting, Ballot Measure 2, Ballot Measure 3, election integrity questions, James O’Keefe’s recent Alaska videos, and what Downing believes is at stake as Alaska heads toward Election Day.

John Quick sits down with Scott Kendall on The Northern Ledger for a wide-ranging conversation on Alaska politics, election reform, and the major issues shaping the race for governor. Kendall breaks down Ballot Measure 2, including the debate over ranked choice voting, open primaries, campaign finance disclosure, and what he says voters should understand before casting their ballots. He also responds to recent controversy around Alaska’s election system, including the undercover voting video involving James O’Keefe and the questions it raised about question ballots, voter ID, and election workers.

John Quick sits down with Alaska Senate candidate Ryan Sheldon on The Northern Ledger for a conversation about his campaign, his background in business, and the issues he says he is hearing most from voters across his district. Sheldon discusses the cost of living in Alaska, rising energy concerns, the future of the Alaska LNG project, electricity rates, education funding, teacher retention, and what it would take to keep more families and businesses in the state. He also talks about growing up in a business-minded family, why he decided to run, how he views the role of government in helping Alaska’s economy move again, and why he believes long-term thinking is needed in Juneau. The conversation also covers his approach to working with other legislators, what his first weeks in office would look like if elected, and why he says Alaska needs new ideas on energy, education, and economic growth.

The Northern Ledger with host John Quick welcomes Zac Johnson, a former Marine, Anchorage Assembly member, and candidate for Alaska lieutenant governor, for a conversation about the life experiences that shaped his politics. Johnson talks about being born in Alaska and spending part of his early life in a cabin near Turnagain Arm with no running water, then later serving in the Marine Corps and returning to Alaska as an adult. He explains how he went from community council meetings to the Anchorage Assembly, why he sees himself as politically independent, and how he thinks about gun rights, education, and the role of government. John also asks Johnson about the gas line, election trust, working with the legislature, and what conservatives and small-government voters should know about him before deciding who to support.