Matt Heilala
Matt Heilala is a Republican candidate for governor and a businessman from Anchorage. His campaign focuses on resource development, technology, and economic growth. Heilala has worked in the private sector and emphasizes a fresh approach to state governance.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Stance | Confidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Economy: Heilala says no economy means no community. He advocates lowering energy costs, expanding housing access, and keeping the state budget sensible, while enforcing fiscal transparency (track every dollar, eliminate waste) and upholding Alaska’s revenue- and spending-cap framework to fund an affordable dividend. | high | |
| Healthcare | Advocates for market-based healthcare reform to lower costs and increase access for Alaskans. Emphasizes private-sector competition and consumer choice in health care rather than government mandates. | high | |
| Education | As Governor, I will promote an education system that puts Alaska parents and families back in charge, not bureaucrats in Juneau. | high | |
| Tech & AI | If elected, Heilala would integrate AI into state government to deliver faster, smarter results for Alaskans through performance, not promises. AI would streamline permitting and reduce red tape delaying resource development, improve budgeting and fraud detection, empower remote services, and boost productivity in healthcare, education, and the workforce. Safeguards would evolve through federal oversight and public-private partnerships, with a preference for responsible use and fewer heavy-handed regulations that could slow innovation. | high | |
| Local Issues | Matt Heilala advocates for limited government and greater local control, starting with a comprehensive regulatory review in Year One and vetoing unnecessary regulations to cut red tape. He also emphasizes empowering communities to make their own decisions. | high | |
| Climate/Energy | Matt Heilala supports the responsible development of Alaska's oil, gas, and mineral resources and aims to lower energy costs for Alaska families, paired with infrastructure to get resources to market. | high | |
| Civil Rights & Equality | Matt Heilala supports restricting gender-affirming care for minors in Alaska, advocating for regulatory action by the Alaska Medical Board to limit such care and sanction providers who offer it; he frames this as protecting minors from irreversible medical decisions. | high | |
| Abortion & Reproductive Health | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Immigration | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Firearms & Second Amendment | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Foreign Policy | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Election Policy | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
Economy
highEconomy: Heilala says no economy means no community. He advocates lowering energy costs, expanding housing access, and keeping the state budget sensible, while enforcing fiscal transparency (track every dollar, eliminate waste) and upholding Alaska’s revenue- and spending-cap framework to fund an affordable dividend.
Healthcare
highAdvocates for market-based healthcare reform to lower costs and increase access for Alaskans. Emphasizes private-sector competition and consumer choice in health care rather than government mandates.
Education
highAs Governor, I will promote an education system that puts Alaska parents and families back in charge, not bureaucrats in Juneau.
Tech & AI
highIf elected, Heilala would integrate AI into state government to deliver faster, smarter results for Alaskans through performance, not promises. AI would streamline permitting and reduce red tape delaying resource development, improve budgeting and fraud detection, empower remote services, and boost productivity in healthcare, education, and the workforce. Safeguards would evolve through federal oversight and public-private partnerships, with a preference for responsible use and fewer heavy-handed regulations that could slow innovation.
Local Issues
highMatt Heilala advocates for limited government and greater local control, starting with a comprehensive regulatory review in Year One and vetoing unnecessary regulations to cut red tape. He also emphasizes empowering communities to make their own decisions.
Climate/Energy
highMatt Heilala supports the responsible development of Alaska's oil, gas, and mineral resources and aims to lower energy costs for Alaska families, paired with infrastructure to get resources to market.
Civil Rights & Equality
highMatt Heilala supports restricting gender-affirming care for minors in Alaska, advocating for regulatory action by the Alaska Medical Board to limit such care and sanction providers who offer it; he frames this as protecting minors from irreversible medical decisions.
Abortion & Reproductive Health
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Immigration
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Firearms & Second Amendment
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Foreign Policy
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Election Policy
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Background
Career History
Worked in technology and resource development.
Education
Top Donors
Heilala is overwhelmingly self-funded: he and his wife contributed nearly $1.3 million of their own money to the campaign, accounting for more than 94% of his total $1.36 million raised. Outside contributions amounted to roughly $81,000 from approximately 378 donors, with his largest non-family contribution being $6,030 from construction company owner Seth Kroenke. As of February 2026, Heilala reported over $1 million cash on hand, the largest reserve of any candidate.
Voting Record
Heilala has never held elected office and has no legislative voting record. He served on the Alaska State Medical Board and is a podiatrist and businessman with interests in real estate and property development. His campaign emphasizes his status as a political outsider, and he has touted his connection to President Donald Trump, describing himself as a golfing partner of the president.
Sources
About this research
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 7/11/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.