Alaska gubernatorial candidates weigh in on working with the press, public engagement, AI use

The Anchorage-based public relations firm Thompson & Co. conducted a survey of 12 candidates on communications with the public “whose campaigns have demonstrated significant organizational capacity, fundraising, and public support,” according to a statement announcing the survey results.

The candidates that chose to participate answered an 18 question survey. The respondents were Democrats Tom Begich and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins; Independent Bill Walker; and Republicans Adam Crum, Lesil McGuire, Click Bishop, Edna DeVries, Shelley Hughes and Matt Heilala. 

Republicans Dave Bronson, Treg Taylor and Bernadette Wilson received the survey but did not respond. 

“Candidates answered the same questions on press access, crisis communications, social media, rural and language accessibility, public records requests and staffing for the governor’s communications office,” the statement said. 

Transparency and public access

All nine candidates that responded agreed that a free press providing information to the public is critical to democratic government. Several candidates committed to an open and transparent relationship with the press, including Kreiss-Tomkins.

“If I find myself annoyed as Governor by seemingly pesky questions from the media, I think that is a good thing for Alaskans, for transparency, and for a healthy democracy,” he said. 

Hughes and Heilala noted the press also should be held to a standard of fairness. Hughes said she would be more responsive to “those who are fair.”

“I want journalists to report in a balanced fashion and strive to be unbiased – the way they should be in a healthy democracy (in our case, constitutional republic) – but that rarely is the case,” Hughes said. “I will give more time to those who are fair. I will be more apt to provide written comments to those who aren’t.”

Candidates varied on how often they would hold open press conferences and public town halls.

Bishop, McGuire and Hughes said they would hold weekly press conferences, with some flexibility due to scheduling Hughes added. Crum and Walker committed to two press conferences a month. 

DeVries and Heilala said they would hold conferences as events warranted; Begich and Kreiss-Tomkins were unsure.

Seven candidates promised to hold regular town halls and public events across the state, with DeVries and Crum saying they were unsure of frequency. 

“I intend to hold regular town halls and community visits across Alaska, including remote communities,” Bishop said. “My goal is to maintain a visible statewide presence through in-person visits and virtual options so Alaskans know their governor is accessible and engaged.”  

Candidates split on their willingness to publish a public-facing calendar of the governor’s official schedule. 

Currently Dunleavy’s calendar isn’t officially published publically, but has been available through a public records request. 

Bishop, Walker, McGuire, and Heleila said they would publish a public-facing calendar. Kreiss-Tomkins said he would publish a schedule of public events. 

Begich and DeVries said they were unsure, and Crum and Hughes said it would depend on security considerations. 

Limiting media access and non-traditional media 

Candidates were asked under what circumstances they would refuse to take press questions or limit media access to them personally. 

McGuire and DeVries said “None.” 

Kreiss-Tomkins, Crum, Bishop and Heilela said the default would be to answer questions. 

Begich noted the line between personal and professional life should be respected.

“However, when the personal veers into the professional, it is fair for the press to question those actions, and it is essential that a Governor respond to them in the interest of public integrity and the truth,” Begich said. 

Several candidates noted access may be limited on issues related to ongoing law enforcement investigations, active litigation, personnel issues or public safety. 

Hughes said media access would be limited: “Would limit if information is confidential, uncertain, or would jeopardize a positive outcome. Would limit access if a safety issue,” she said.

Candidates agreed that their media distribution lists would be broad and inclusive, and they would host virtual online press conferences. They agreed their administrations would be available to rural reporters and give them access equivalent to that of reporters in urban areas. 

The majority of candidates agreed they would grant access to “non-traditional” media organizations, including podcasters, bloggers, independent journalists and online-only outlets. 

Begich said he would evaluate such interview requests on a case-by-case basis depending on his availability. He said in the past he’s done interviews for outlets that were “inherently biased,” but said “as long as they and I acknowledged that, it was fine.”

Social media and artificial intelligence use

All candidates said they plan to maintain active social media accounts across major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube and others.

Candidates varied on whether they plan to use artificial intelligence-generated content on their social pages.

McGuire and Heilala said yes.

Hughes said she would on occasion. “It would be the exception rather than the rule,” she said.

Begich and Bishop said no.  

Kreiss-Tomkins, Crum, Walker, and DeVries answered “unsure at this time.”

Candidates were also asked under what circumstances they would mute or block members of the public from government social media accounts. 

DeVries answered she would not block anyone. The majority of candidates said they would keep social media pages open and welcome criticism or differing opinions, but would consider blocking accounts for hate speech, threats, intimidation or spam. 

Heilala said his administration would monitor such blocked accounts. “Any blocks will be documented, applied consistently, and reviewed periodically. Viewpoint discrimination will never be tolerated. Alaskans have a right to speak to their government, even critically. I expect robust debate, not an echo chamber,” he said. 

Public records

All the candidates said their administrations would comply with public records law, under the Alaska Public Records Act. 

Kreiss-Tomkins and McGuire said they would not charge any fees.

Currently the law allows public agencies to charge after the first 5 hours of work on filling public records requests for personnel time based on their salary. 

Walker said he would “like to avoid fees if at all possible” and would assess once in office. Bishop noted that fees should reflect actual costs and not be a barrier to accessing public records. Hughes said a small fee would be necessary for large projects. 

Language access and communication with non-English speaking communities

Alaska is home to 21 official languages including Inupiaq, Yup’ik, Alutiiq, Tlingit and others. 

Candidates were asked how their potential administrations would communicate with non-English speaking communities, and what resources would be committed to making official information available across languages. 

Begich, Kreiss-Tomkins, Walker and Bishop said they would work with tribal and community organizations to translate government communications and make translation services available, particularly for emergencies. 

Kreiss-Tomkins pointed to his legislative record officially recognizing Native languages. “I’ll prioritize it in emergencies, when a delay in someone’s own language can cost lives. I’ve worked on this issue dating back to my service as a Representative, when I sponsored the bill that made Alaska’s 20 Native languages official languages of our state alongside English,” he wrote.

Crum said his administration would follow current law which “requires broad availability of public material.”

Hughes and Helaila said they would use AI translation tools and refer the public to AI translation services— “While always having human review for important documents,” Heilala added. 

McGuire said she would build on the Division of Elections translation model, and also seek bilingual team members in her administration. “I would also consider sight and hearing impaired Alaskans,” she said. 

Staffing communications teams 

Bishop, Heleila and McGuire provided some details on their potential communications offices, which would include a communications director, press secretary, digital communications and outreach coordinators. 

Walker pointed to his previous term as Alaska governor, from 2014 to 2018, with staff including a communication director, deputy communication director and several assistants to the director. 

Hughes said she would have a minimum of two communications staff, and possibly task others with communications duties. 

Several candidates responded that plans on staffing their communications teams are premature, and would be determined if elected to office. That included Begich, Kreiss-Tomkins, Crum and DeVries.

“We are focused on campaigning, listening to Alaskans, and getting our message out,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. “If we win the election, that is when we will make decisions on staffing the administration.”