Bill Walker
Bill Walker
Alaska Governor winner? (Person)
$128.1K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
Age75 years old (Apr 16, 1951)
GenderMale
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LocationAlaska
BackgroundAttorney
EducationLewis & Clark College — B.A. (Business Administration), 1973
Notable personal detailsWilliam Martin Walker is an American attorney and politician who served as the 11th governor of Alaska (2014–2018). He previously served in Valdez local government, including as a city council member and mayor, and later worked as an oil and gas attorney. He earned a B.A. in business administration from Lewis & Clark College and a J.D. from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University School of Law).
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports introducing a broad-based state income tax, increasing taxes on the oil industry and restructuring the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend to help close budget deficits and stabilize state revenue.
Healthcare
Bill Walker supported and implemented Medicaid expansion in Alaska under the Affordable Care Act and took executive actions as governor to accept federal funds to extend Medicaid eligibility to low-income residents.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protecting refugee resettlement and criticized federal executive orders that restricted immigration and banned refugees; emphasizes that immigration policy is a federal responsibility and opposed state-level bans on Syrian refugees. No clear evidence found of advocacy for broad regularization or a pathway to citizenship in the sources located.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has said he is personally pro-life but supports protecting abortion access in Alaska and would defend the state constitutional privacy clause; he has stated he would veto legislation that seeks to restrict abortion. His public position emphasizes protecting legal access while expressing a personal preference to reduce abortions.
Climate & Energy
Bill Walker acknowledges human-caused climate change and during his tenure as Alaska governor created a climate leadership team and supported a state Climate Action Plan that recommended transitioning away from fossil fuels while increasing investment in renewable energy. He promoted adaptive measures for Alaska communities affected by warming (permafrost, sea-level impacts) but also recognized Alaska’s hydrocarbon-dependent economy and supported continued oil and gas development as part of a managed transition.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded measures to prevent gun violence while defending gun ownership rights; backed Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red-flag law) and supports background-check reforms. Emphasizes protecting public safety without broadly restricting lawful ownership.
News
Bill Walker is considering entering the 2026 Alaska governor’s race and says he will decide by the filing deadline. He says his campaign would focus on Alaska’s long-term fiscal plan. The race is already crowded, with many candidates announced so far.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising