Anchorage podiatrist Matt Heilala has contributed $1.3 million of his own money to his campaign for Alaska governor, a figure that surpasses previous state records for self-funding in a gubernatorial race, according to campaign finance reports released this week.
The substantial personal investment by Heilala, a Republican, accounts for more than 94% of the $1.36 million he has raised so far, according to reports analyzed by the Alaska Story and Alaska Public Media. He stated his self-funding allows him to be “very, very selective” about accepting donations and avoid potential conflicts of interest. “I’m not in desperate need of big money from big, influential donors. There’s a quid pro quo, and that’s a major problem,” Heilala said.
Heilala’s fundraising total represents over a quarter of the more than $4.3 million raised by all 17 candidates running for governor as of the beginning of February. He has also received contributions from hundreds of smaller donors, totaling over $60,000 from nearly 350 individuals.
Treg Taylor, a former Attorney General and also a Republican candidate, is the second-highest fundraiser in the race, with approximately $880,000 in total contributions. Roughly one-third of Taylor’s funding comes from his own personal resources. He leads in external fundraising, having secured over $592,000 from nearly 250 donors, including a $100,000 contribution from Anchorage anesthesiologist John Morris and multiple five-figure donations from business and medical professionals in Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
The release of these early fundraising totals comes as Alaska lawmakers prepare for an address by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan on Wednesday, where he is expected to outline his priorities regarding energy development, military readiness, fisheries, and infrastructure. Simultaneously, state Senator Cathy Giessel is reportedly working with the Democrat campaign group Ship Creek Group and has received donations from prominent Democrats, including Rocky Plotnick, Kay Brown, Eleanor Andrews, Tom Begich, and Moira Smith. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich has also received funding from a Chicago-based family, the Pritzkers.
The Alaska Story reported that new taxes are being proposed in Juneau by Senator Giessel and Democrats.
