Republican Matt Heilala, first-time candidate, says Alaska needs an outsider as governor

Republican newcomer Matt Heilala, a foot and ankle surgeon and former member of the Alaska State Medical Board, says Alaska needs an “outsider” as governor, in an interview ahead of the Aug. 18 nonpartisan primary. Seventeen candidates are running; early voting is already under way, and the contest will narrow the field to four. Alaska Public Media is interviewing candidates who raised at least $50,000 by the mid-July deadline. In the discussion, Heilala said the political system tends to favor people already inside the apparatus, and that outsiders often face gridlock and delay once elected. He contrasted that with his expectation that he could bring private-sector priorities to state government, though the transcript remained incomplete.