Governor's race survey: the PFD question (and ferries)

Candidates propose their PFD amounts — and tell us the last time they rode an Alaska state ferry

The Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Independent)

By Nathaniel Herz

Northern Journal

Northern Journal's survey of Alaska's many gubernatorial hopefuls is back — this time, asking how much money candidates would budget for Permanent Fund dividends.

We also find out when each candidate last rode on Alaska's state ferry system — a publicly funded network that's been the subject of polarizing budget debates in recent years.

Starting in this edition, we've narrowed the surveyed candidates to those who reported raising at least $3,000 in the latest round of campaign finance reports — as well as those who announced their candidacies after the latest reporting deadline.

Republicans Bernadette Wilson, Adam Crum, Treg Taylor and Nancy Dahlstrom did not respond to our questions; we sent them multiple requests.

Have suggestions for future survey questions? Email nat@northernjournal.com.

Links to previous editions of the survey: schools funding, Alaska's LNG project and oil taxes.

Question 1

Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed a Permanent Fund dividend amount for the coming fiscal year based on the historical statute tied to investment returns. 

Dunleavy is budgeting some $2.365 billion for PFDs, which equals a payment of roughly $3,800 per Alaskan. That would leave an overall deficit of $1.5 billion — depleting a little less than half of Alaska's primary savings account, the Constitutional Budget Reserve, according to legislative fiscal projections from earlier this year.

If you were governor, what's the overall spending on Permanent Fund dividends that you would have proposed for the upcoming fiscal year? For reference, some 620,000 dividends were paid last year, so a $1,000-per-person PFD would equate to some $620 million in overall spending.

Question 2

When is the last time you rode an Alaska state ferry, where did you go, and what was the purpose of your trip?

Dave Bronson, Republican and former mayor of Anchorage

1. $2.4 billion.

The Permanent Fund dividend is a return of value to Alaskans, created to share the value of our natural resources with the people who own them. It is important to follow the law. A statutory dividend today is about $2.4 billion. However, the state cannot absorb that cost overnight or reduce spending by that amount, and Alaskans do not support spending down the principal of the fund. What they want is a sustainable, long-term formula-driven approach like we once had.

I would begin by proposing the statutory dividend and working with the Legislature to reach a responsible compromise that restrains spending growth, identifies targeted reductions, and focuses on economic growth so Alaska can return to a sustainable dividend in the future.

2. I have never been on an Alaska state ferry.

   
   

Former Anchorage state Sen. Tom Begich, a Democrat

1. $620 million to $910 million

I believe the statute should be rewritten; a new amount should be set by the Legislature as a starting amount somewhere in the range of the average over that last eight years (between $1,000 and $1,500) and tied to the earnings or losses of the fund over a one to three year average. Rising or falling with the earnings.

The Governor proposes the original amount, so I would likely propose the higher of those two amounts, but be clear when announcing the budget that I would be open to the Legislature's number.

2. Outside of the Gravina ferry in Ketchikan (airport), which I rode today, I rode the (ferry) to Metlakatka on March 9th.

   
   

Democratic state Sen. Matt Claman

1. $620 million/$1,000

Alaskans tell us that we need improved investment in public education, public safety, and long-delayed capital projects without depleting $1.5 billion from our constitutional savings account. They know from the last eight years that a dividend based on the historical statute is not affordable.

Step one with increased oil revenue is proposing a common-sense budget that protects the Permanent Fund and has similar funding for all departments as this year, including a $1,000 dividend and taking no money from savings. Step two is working together with the Legislature for a balanced budget with improved investment in our schools and communities, an affordable dividend, and economic growth. Working together, Alaska’s future is strong and bright.

2. In about 2016, I rode the ferry as part of a wonderful circle trip in Southcentral Alaska. Drive from Anchorage to Sheep Mountain Lodge on the Glenn Highway, bike 200 miles from Sheep Mountain Lodge to Valdez, overnight in Valdez, ride the ferry from Valdez across Prince William Sound to Whittier, and drive home to Anchorage. Glorious!

   
   

Anchorage doctor Matt Heilala, a Republican

1. Proposing the full statutory PFD simply isn't feasible amid $1.5-2 billion operating deficits which would continue to deplete the CBR. Until the statutory formula can be adjusted constitutionally, we must compromise. Past full-PFD efforts failed due to these concerns, causing volatile dividends and calls for new taxes, which I strongly oppose. As governor I'd propose a PFD based on the immediate prior year legislative precedent: This year, $1,000 per Alaskan (the same as the original PFD), totaling roughly $620 million. This would help better align the executive and legislative efforts with less finger pointing and vitriol. I'd launch a parallel transparency initiative with Palantir’s Foundry.

   
   

2. I've ridden Alaska ferries like the Columbia on family trips across the coast. At 8, on Valdez-Whittier with my aunt & uncle, I wandered to the pilot house. They heard over PA: "Visitor here, what's your name?" "Matt!" Captain let me blow the horn to trigger a glacier calving. Last: 15 yrs ago, Valdez-Whittier ferry with RV, kids, looped from ANC.

Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Democratic former state representative

1. $1,500 PFD

The PFD is a critical lifeline for many Alaskans who depend on it for fuel, food, and other essentials. I believe it’s a good program that helps Alaskans.I’m also not crazy about the either-or choices that have been forced on Alaskans: either we fund the PFD or we fund schools, ferries, and troopers.As governor, I would make several no-brainer budget moves like closing the Hilcorp tax loophole and extending the corporate income tax to out-of-state online businesses that operate in Alaska (a bill that passed the legislature with 42 out of 60 votes, but got vetoed by Gov. Dunleavy).Once we get that done, we can prioritize K-12 schools, public safety, roads and ferries, and distribute a PFD that makes a difference for Alaska families.

2. About 2 months ago. I took the M/V Kennicott from Sitka to Juneau. I was helping two friends in Juneau get their cars over from Sitka, and I was heading over myself to catch the start of legislative session. The combination of Starlink wifi and strong black coffee in the cafeteria let me do some serious damage to my email inbox on the sailing over.

Shelley Hughes, Republican former state senator

1. Aim: half draw

When Walker cut the PFD, I’d been fighting to reduce the 50% spending growth from the prior decade. I fought for a full PFD not only because its design was to empower families and the private sector but because of the unaddressed budget growth.

I’ll establish a Sunset Audit Commission to draft legislation aimed at efficiencies, fraud elimination, mandatory vs discretionary spending. I’m committed to rebuilding the PFD so it’s no longer an issue; we’ll pull out the stops to build a diversified economy to ensure steady, adequate revenue via a cheap energy portfolio, lands in Alaskan hands, and infrastructure. Other “dividends” as a result? Great jobs, better schools, affordable living, new routes, and real opportunities for our young people.

2. A Palmer girl with SE Alaska roots, I’m on the ferry every couple years. In last three summers, I round-tripped twice (Juneau/Haines) for two nephews’ weddings – outdoors along the water (gorgeous couples, spectacular settings!). Years prior, I’d take the ferry to Hoonah where I used to live and my mother lived until recently (she’s now in Juneau).

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, a Republican

1. $2.365 billion

If we as political elected officials make laws for others to follow, it is important that we follow the laws that are set before us.

2. April 11, travelling from Juneau to Whittier, coming back from session.

Republican former state senator Click Bishop

1. It depends.

Alaska’s Constitution under Article 9 outlines how the governor shall submit a budget to the Legislature, and essentially requires the budget to be balanced at the end of the year.  As governor, I will proposed a balanced budget every year.  We will pay dividends in every budget at the greatest amount possible in accordance with a balanced budget.  Whatever amount the governor proposes for the dividend, there are two things certain: 1) the state revenue forecast will change over the following 16 months; and 2) the Legislature will amend the budget. We’re all in this together. It's the public’s money for today’s basic needs that must be protected for tomorrow’s generations.

2. In September, I traveled aboard the AMHS Tustumena, Rusty Tusty, visiting coastal communities like Chignik, Sand Point, King Cove, and Cold Bay. Despite rough seas and fall storms, the trip offered time to meet local residents, tour the Izembek Refuge, and see firsthand how the Marine Highway serves as a lifeline for Alaska’s coastal towns.

Traditional healer Meda DeWitt, an independent

1. $1,300-$1,800

Gov. Dunleavy has proposed $6,700-$3,650 for eight years running, and it has been rejected by the Legislature each year because it would create a $1.5 billion deficit, draining half of our last savings account.My approach: start with the POMV draw, deduct inflation-proofing first (skipped two years, eroding the fund's real value), deduct operations, split the remainder 50/50 between dividends and the government. That produces a PFD of roughly $1,300–$1,800 per person, higher than last year's historic low, lower than an unfunded promise, and honest about what the fund can sustain. Total dividend spending: approximately $800 million to $1.1 billion. No CBR drawdown required.Alaska needs a formula, not an illusion.

2. Born in Klawock, I often rode the ferry. My earliest memory riding on the ferry, was during a storm, and a jellyfish hit the window. The last ferry trip memory was at seven years old. My grandmother passed away from a heart attack on that trip. Today, I ship vehicles, or large tools, to Yakutat. As a Tlingit, we fondly call the ferry the big blue canoe.

• This article originally appeared in Northern Journal.