Palmer senator to leave office Friday to focus on gubernatorial campaign

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska State Sen. Shelley Hughes will resign Friday to focus full-time on her 2026 gubernatorial campaign, becoming the second legislator to leave office early for the governor’s race.

“After much prayer, reflection, and conversations with my family and my team, I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from my seat in the Alaska State Senate, effective tomorrow at close of business,” Hughes, R-Palmer, said Thursday at an Anchorage news conference surrounded by staffers.

Hughes follows former Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla, who resigned earlier this year to focus on his campaign for lieutenant governor.

One current state lawmaker is also running in the race: Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, who announced his candidacy Nov. 10.

State of the race

Including Hughes, the crowded field now includes 14 candidates who have announced bids or filed paperwork to run for governor, ranging from former state officials to local mayors and business leaders.

Former state officials include:

• Former state Sen. Click Bishop
• Former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum
• Former Attorney General Treg Taylor
• Former state Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich

Current officials include:

• Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom
• Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries
• State Sen. Matt Claman

Other candidates include:

• Anchorage Podiatrist Matt Heilala
• Mining industry worker James Parkin
• Former Mat-Su Borough Planning Commissioner Roger “Bruce” Walden

Businesswoman Bernadette Wilson, Hughes and former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, have filed Alaska Public Offices Commission letters of intent to run as candidates in the 2026 state election.

Wilson publicly announced her gubernatorial bid on May 13, Hughes announced on July 24 and Bronson on Oct. 2.

Additionally, Republican author Henry “Hank” Kroll is listed as a candidate for governor on the Elections Division website.

Several others have been rumored to run, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski and former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola, who is currently a candidate in the U.S. House race.

Candidates have until June 1, 2026, to file for the gubernatorial race, according to APOC filing requirements.

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