Alaska Governor Candidates Discuss Living in Juneau at Forum, KTOO Reports

Voters Eye Governor Candidates in Juneau Oct 7 Forum

On Oct. 7, 2026, three candidates seeking to become Alaska’s next governor gathered at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce forum in downtown Juneau to debate state issues and address whether they plan to live in the historic capital city mansion if elected, KTOO reported. Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Republicans Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson spoke to an audience of government officials and business stakeholders. A fourth candidate on the ticket, former Attorney General and Republican Treg Taylor, did not attend the Wednesday event ahead of next month’s general election.

Capital Creep Worries Juneau Business Community

The question of where the state’s chief executive resides directly touches on capital creep, a long-standing worry among Juneau residents and businesses regarding the slow trickle of state jobs moving away from Juneau to Anchorage. Outgoing Gov. Mike Dunleavy has notoriously spent little time at the historic governor’s mansion throughout his eight-year tenure, leaving the 26-room, 10-bathroom residence largely underutilized.

Budget documents show that staff salaries and upkeep on the eight-fireplace mansion located a brisk walk from the State Capitol cost about $800,000 a year. Last year, a Fairbanks Republican lawmaker introduced a tongue-in-cheek bill to list the property as a short-term rental, arguing it was underutilized and expensive.

Candidates Commit to Juneau Residency and Mansion Use

During the Oct. 7 forum, all three attending candidates committed to making Juneau their home base if elected in the Nov. 3 general election. Wilson told the crowd, Starting in December, Juneau is going to get a new registered voter, and it’s going to be a Republican, not a Democrat.

Kreiss-Tomkins, a former Sitka state lawmaker, outlined plans to revive the mansion as a venue for community receptions and events rather than leaving it dark. That mansion, instead of being dark 12 months of the year, or pretty darn close to it, will be full of light and life, and a key part of Juneau, he stated.

Bronson, Anchorage’s former mayor, agreed that Juneau should remain the seat of government and intends to live in the capital city for at least the legislative session. He also expressed a desire for his commissioners to live in Juneau, though he noted flexibility for talent acquisition. You got to have the talent and you just pay for airline tickets for them to come down when they need to come down and do their job, Bronson said.

Polls Open Nov 3 for General Election

Aside from the debate over the governor’s mansion and regional state employment, the forum covered several other topics impacting Juneau’s businesses, the Southeast region, and state government operations. Polls for the general election close at 8 p.m. Alaska Time on Nov. 3.