Anchorage Election Sees Tight Race, House Debates PFD Amount

The Alaska legislative session continues with budget negotiations and a Republican gubernatorial candidate choosing a running mate.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:42am

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A fractured, overlapping painting in shades of blue, green, and gray depicting conceptual shapes and forms representing a state capitol building, legislative chambers, and voting booths, conveying the fast-paced and fragmented nature of state politics.The frenetic pace of Alaska's legislative session and municipal elections is captured in a dynamic, abstract painting.Ketchikan Today

The Alaska legislative session is over two-thirds complete, with the House spending the week debating and amending the operating budget, including a change to the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) amount. The Senate Finance Committee was scheduled to introduce a committee substitute to a tax bill, but the hearings were canceled. In the Anchorage municipal election, one race remains extremely close and will go to a recount. Republican gubernatorial candidate Click Bishop also chose his running mate, Greta Schuerch.

Why it matters

The budget negotiations and PFD amount are critical issues for Alaskans, as the PFD is a key part of the state's fiscal landscape. The Anchorage election results could shift the political balance in the city, while the choice of a running mate is an important strategic decision for the Republican gubernatorial candidate.

The details

In the House, the big change to the operating budget was the amount of the PFD. The House Finance Committee passed out the budget with a full dividend, but more than half of it ($1.4 billion) was dependent on a draw from the Constitutional Budget Reserve, which did not have the 30 votes required. Representative Kevin McCabe introduced an amendment for a full dividend using general funds, but Representative Calvin Schrage amended it to make the PFD just under $1 billion, or about $1,500 per person. That amendment passed 22-18. In the Anchorage municipal election, the race for the Midtown Assembly district was extremely close, with conservative Dave Donley initially up by 89 votes over progressive Janice Park. But as more votes came in, Park pulled ahead by 22 votes, triggering an automatic recount. The $12 million special education tax levy championed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance is failing by 566 votes out of more than 62,000 counted. Republican gubernatorial candidate Click Bishop chose Greta Schuerch, who runs government affairs for Teck (owners of Red Dog Mine) and serves on the NANA board, as his running mate. Schuerch has strong ties with rural Alaska and is well known in the resource development industry.

  • The House spent the week debating and amending the operating budget.
  • The Senate Finance Committee was scheduled to introduce a committee substitute to a tax bill on April 8 and 9, but both hearings were canceled.
  • The Anchorage municipal election took place on April 7, 2026.
  • The deadline for gubernatorial candidates to choose a running mate is June 1, 2026.

The players

Kevin McCabe

A Republican representative from Big Lake who introduced an amendment for a full PFD using general funds.

Calvin Schrage

An independent representative from Anchorage who amended McCabe's amendment to reduce the PFD to around $1,500 per person.

Dave Donley

A conservative candidate in the close Midtown Anchorage Assembly race.

Janice Park

A progressive candidate in the close Midtown Anchorage Assembly race who pulled ahead of Donley by 22 votes, triggering a recount.

Suzanne LaFrance

The mayor of Anchorage who championed a $12 million special education tax levy that is currently failing.

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What they’re saying

“The number one thing is stopping factory trawling, getting abundance back in our oceans and rivers.”

— Mary Peltola, U.S. Senate candidate

What’s next

The House is expected to pass the operating budget on Monday, April 13. The Senate is scheduled to close out their finance subcommittees for the operating budget this week, and the Senate Finance Committee may introduce a committee substitute for the capital budget. If both bodies pass their budgets this week, it allows for just over a month until the constitutional session limit on May 21.

The takeaway

The Alaska legislative session continues with critical budget negotiations, including the PFD amount, as well as a close Anchorage municipal election that could shift the political balance in the city. The choice of a running mate by the Republican gubernatorial candidate is also an important strategic decision.