Dave Bronson Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Alaska Governor Race, Policies & Net Worth

Who is Dave Bronson? | Biography

Dave Bronson is an American Republican politician, pilot, and former Anchorage mayor. He was born on June 26, 1958, in Superior, Wisconsin. Bronson later moved to Alaska, where he built a career in military and commercial aviation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison before beginning his aviation career.

Bronson served as a U.S. Air Force pilot, flying B-1 and B-52 bombers during his military career. He later joined the Alaska Air National Guard and flew C-130 aircraft. He eventually reached the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring from military service. His aviation career also included 18 years as an international cargo pilot with Northwest Airlines. He later continued flying with Delta Air Lines.

Politically, Bronson became prominent in Anchorage after winning the 2021 mayoral election. He defeated Forrest Dunbar and became the city’s 37th mayor. Bronson served as mayor from July 1, 2021, through July 1, 2024. During his administration, he emphasized public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, and economic development. He also managed nearly 3,000 municipal employees and a budget exceeding $600 million.

However, Bronson failed to secure another term in the 2024 Anchorage mayoral election. Suzanne LaFrance defeated him in the runoff and succeeded him as mayor. Bronson then returned to Alaska’s aviation sector. In January 2025, the Alaska Department of Transportation appointed him airport manager of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. He brought more than 40 years of aviation and leadership experience to the position.

Meanwhile, Bronson returned to statewide politics in 2025. He announced his 2026 campaign for Alaska governor in October 2025. His campaign identifies him as a Republican candidate focused on affordability, public safety, education, and economic opportunity. As of August 2026, Bronson remains a candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Dave Bronson Age | How Old is Dave Bronson?

Dave Bronson is 68 years old in 2026. He was born on June 26, 1958, in Superior, Wisconsin. Bronson is a Republican politician, former Anchorage mayor, pilot, and retired Air Force officer. He served as Anchorage mayor from 2021 to 2024. Currently, Bronson is running for Alaska governor in the 2026 election. His campaign highlights his experience in aviation, military service, and local government.

Dave Bronson Height | How Tall is Dave Bronson?

Dave Bronson stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. His height makes him a noticeably tall figure during public appearances and campaign events. Bronson is a former Anchorage mayor, commercial pilot, and retired Air Force officer. He served as Anchorage mayor from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, Bronson is running for Alaska governor in the 2026 election. His campaign continues to highlight his aviation, military, and leadership experience.

Dave Bronson Political Party | Is He a Republican or Democrat?

Dave Bronson is a Republican politician and a member of the Republican Party. He currently runs as a Republican candidate for Alaska governor in 2026. The Alaska Division of Elections lists Bronson as a registered Republican candidate. Additionally, his campaign describes him as a conservative Republican focused on education, public safety, government reform, and Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend. Bronson previously served as Anchorage mayor from 2021 to 2024. He also served as a U.S. Air Force pilot and retired lieutenant colonel.

Dave Bronson Education

Dave Bronson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also graduated from Superior High School in Wisconsin before attending college. His university education provided a foundation before he began his military and aviation career. After college, Bronson served as a U.S. Air Force pilot, flying B-52 and B-1B strategic bombers. He later served in the Air Force Reserve and Alaska Air National Guard. Therefore, Dave Bronson’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from UW-Madison.

Dave Bronson Religion

Dave Bronson is a Christian and attends Mountain City Church in Anchorage, Alaska. His wife, Debra, also attends the church with him. Mountain City Church previously operated as Anchorage Baptist Temple. The church identifies itself as Christ-centered and teaches core Christian beliefs. Additionally, Bronson helped create the Alaska Family Council, which promotes traditional Christian values. Therefore, Christianity is Dave Bronson’s religion, while his church background reflects a Baptist tradition.

Dave Bronson Wife | Is Dave Bronson married?

Dave Bronson is married to Debra Bronson, who is a certified public accountant. The couple has built their family life in Alaska for several decades. Dave and Debra have two children, including a son who became a commercial pilot. Their daughter pursued a career in biochemistry and earned a Ph.D. Additionally, Dave and Debra have attended Mountain City Church in Anchorage for many years. The church previously operated as Anchorage Baptist Temple. Today, Debra continues supporting her husband as he campaigns for Alaska governor in 2026.

Dave Bronson Children

Dave Bronson has two adult children, Zachary and Katherine. His official campaign biography confirms that one child works as a cancer research scientist. Meanwhile, the other works as a commercial pilot, continuing the family’s aviation tradition. Dave’s son Zachary has followed his father’s career path and became a commercial pilot. His daughter Katherine has pursued cancer research and scientific work. Additionally, Bronson raised his family with his wife, Debra, in Alaska.

Dave Bronson Family | Parents and Siblings

Dave Bronson was born to Bill and Sandy Bronson in Superior, Wisconsin. He grew up in Superior and attended Superior High School. His parents raised him in the southern part of the city. Later, Bronson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Meanwhile, public information about his siblings remains limited, and their names are not widely documented. Bronson later built his own family with his wife, Debra Bronson. The couple has two children, Zachary and Katherine. Today, his family remains an important part of his personal background and connection to Alaska.

Dave Bronson for Governor Alaska 2026 | Campaign, Polls, Primary & Results

Dave Bronson is running for Alaska governor in 2026 as a Republican. He launched his campaign in October 2025 after serving as Anchorage mayor. Bronson chose Josh Church as his lieutenant governor running mate. His campaign emphasizes energy development, public safety, education, government efficiency, and Alaska’s economy.

The Alaska governor primary takes place on August 18, 2026. Alaska uses a top-four primary, so voters choose one candidate regardless of party. Seventeen candidates appear on the current gubernatorial ballot. The four candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the November 3 general election.

As of August 12, Bronson has not won or lost the primary. The latest PollsMax average places him fourth with 9.1% support. Tom Begich leads with 18.3%, followed by Bernadette Wilson at 13.7%. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins holds 12.9%, making Bronson’s position competitive.

Dave Bronson Policies and Political Views

Dave Bronson is a conservative Republican whose platform emphasizes energy development, public safety, and limited government. He supports expanding Alaska’s natural-resource economy while pursuing solutions to lower energy costs. Bronson also prioritizes affordable housing, stronger schools, and economic opportunities for Alaskans. Additionally, he supports school choice and emphasizes parental rights in education.

On social issues, Bronson takes conservative positions on life, religious freedom, and gender-related policies. He supports protecting unborn life and has backed conservative approaches to education and family policy. Furthermore, Bronson advocates election integrity and changes to Alaska’s judicial selection process. He also favors stronger public safety policies and increased support for law enforcement.

Dave Bronson Running Mate | Who Is Josh Church?

Dave Bronson’s running mate for the 2026 Alaska governor race is Josh Church. Church is a Fairbanks financial adviser and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Bronson announced Church as his lieutenant governor running mate in January 2026. The pair formed a Republican ticket for Alaska’s gubernatorial election. Church brings strong Interior Alaska connections and financial experience to the campaign. Additionally, Bronson said geography influenced his decision because Interior Alaska plays an important role in resource development. The official Alaska ballot lists Dave Bronson and Josh Church as a certified Republican ticket. The ticket will compete in Alaska’s August 18 primary election.

Dave Bronson Career | Military, Aviation and Political Background

Dave Bronson has built a career spanning military aviation, commercial aviation, and local government. After college, he served as an active-duty U.S. Air Force pilot from 1981 to 1990. He later served in the Air Force Reserve and Alaska Air National Guard. Bronson retired from military service as a lieutenant colonel after more than two decades. Meanwhile, he developed a long commercial airline career and flew professionally for about 30 years.

In politics, Bronson became Anchorage mayor in 2021 after defeating Forrest Dunbar in a close runoff. He served one term before leaving office in July 2024. He later became an airport manager in Anchorage in 2025. Now, Bronson is running for Alaska governor in 2026, making his executive experience central to his campaign.

Dave Bronson Net Worth 2026

Dave Bronson’s net worth is estimated at $1 million in 2026. His wealth comes from a long career in military aviation, commercial aviation, and public service. Bronson also worked as an airport manager after serving as Anchorage mayor. His 2026 campaign financial filings show substantial campaign activity, but campaign finances do not represent personal wealth. Therefore, his estimated net worth remains around $1 million. Bronson currently runs for Alaska governor alongside Josh Church. He previously served as Anchorage mayor from 2021 to 2024. His decades of professional aviation experience also contributed to his financial position.

Biography Summary