The 1962 Alaska gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1962, for the post of Governor of Alaska. Incumbent Democratic governor William A. Egan was re-elected, defeating Republican challenger and former governor of Alaska Territory Mike Stepovich. In the primary elections, Egan defeated George Byer and Warren A. Taylor, while Stepovich defeated Howard Wallace Pollock and Jack Coghill.
Candidates The following candidates appeared on the primary election ballot:
Democratic David Newton Boyer, Kenai Peninsula business owner George H. Byer, former Mayor of Anchorage William A. Egan, incumbent governor Warren A. Taylor, Fairbanks attorney, constitutional convention delegate, Speaker of the Alaska House for the previous four sessions
Taylor simultaneously ran for governor and for reelection to his House seat.
Republican John B. Coghill, Nenana business owner and state senator, constitutional convention delegate Milo H. Fritz, Anchorage physician, medical missionary with the Episcopal Missionary District of Alaska in rural Alaska Verne O. Martin, Anchorage attorney Howard Pollock, Anchorage attorney, state senator Mike Stepovich, Fairbanks attorney, former territorial governor
Write-in Following the primary election, the race featured a declared write-in candidate, Robert W. Hamilton of College. Hamilton owned a gas station in Lemeta, then a suburb of and presently a neighborhood of Fairbanks, and was a former educator and road construction foreman. He was backed by a group calling itself the Alaska Betterment Club. Due to the newness of Alaska as a state, questions arose about the legality of his campaign. His vote total is unknown as it was not included in the published results.
Results
References