Sep 15
City of Fairbanks & City of North Pole Forum
Local government, city services, public safety, business climate, housing, infrastructure, and community development.
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2026 Candidate Forum Series
Connecting voters, candidates, and the business community.
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum Series provides a nonpartisan opportunity for members, residents, and community partners to hear directly from candidates seeking public office. These forums are designed to support informed civic engagement and highlight issues that impact Interior Alaska’s businesses, economy, workforce, infrastructure, energy future, and quality of life.
Forum ScheduleSix forums focused on the future of Interior Alaska.
Each forum will focus on the offices, districts, and issues most directly connected to the future of Interior Alaska.
Sep 22Borough Assembly Forum
Land use, taxation, economic development, public services, schools, permitting, and regional growth.
Sep 29Senate District Q + House Districts 33 & 34 Forum
State-level policy issues impacting Interior Alaska, including energy, transportation, fiscal stability, workforce, resource development, and education.
Oct 6House Districts 31, 32, 35 & 36 Forum
A focused discussion with Interior legislative candidates on business, infrastructure, state services, housing, workforce, and community priorities.
Oct 13Governor / Lt. Governor Forum
Statewide leadership, Alaska’s economic future, fiscal policy, energy, public safety, resource development, and long-term competitiveness.
Oct 20Congressional Forum: U.S. House & U.S. Senate
Federal policy, military presence, transportation, infrastructure, energy, resource development, federal permitting, and Alaska’s role in national priorities.
Register to Vote
Make sure you are ready to participate before election season. Check your voter registration status, update your information if needed, and review upcoming election deadlines so your voice can be heard in local, state, and federal races.
Register to VoteNonpartisan DisclaimerA fair platform for public education.
The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates in these forums. The Candidate Forum Series is intended to provide a fair, nonpartisan platform for public education and civic engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the forums open to the public?
Yes, absolutely. The Fairbanks Chamber’s political forums are open to everyone. They are designed to give voters, Chamber members, and the broader community a chance to hear directly from candidates on the issues that matter most to Fairbanks, Interior Alaska, and the local business community.
Do I need to register?
Yes, registration is required to attend, either in advance or in person at the door. We strongly encourage registering ahead of time since these forums tend to fill up quickly and space is limited. Please review the forum series schedule above and register for whichever sessions you plan to attend.
Registration Fees
- Listening Fee: $5
- With Lunch: $35 for members, $40 for non-members
- Tables of 8 (includes lunch): $325 for members, $350 for non-members
Can I submit a question for candidates?
We do not accept questions in advance from the general public or Chamber membership. However, we do open the floor during each forum so attendees can ask candidates questions directly. Open-floor questions are an important part of these events, and we make sure time is set aside for them.
How are questions selected?
Our planning committee, made up of experts from a range of fields, industries, and backgrounds, reviews and refines questions to keep the discussion fair, balanced, and informative for voters and attendees. The goal is to choose questions that are relevant to the office being sought, timely for our community, and tied to issues affecting Fairbanks, Interior Alaska, and local businesses.
Does the Chamber endorse candidates?
No. The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates. Our political forums exist to give voters access to information and give candidates a platform to share their views on issues that matter to our community and economy.
The Chamber may take positions on specific policies, legislation, or ballot measures when they align with our adopted advocacy priorities, but candidate forums themselves are always run in a nonpartisan, non-endorsement format.
Can candidates distribute campaign materials?
Campaign materials may be distributed inside the forum room for a fee. If you are a candidate or part of an interested group, please reach out to our Advocacy Coordinator, Jackson Nelson, at jackson@fairbankschamber.org. Distribution is not permitted without prior approval from the Chamber.
Who do I contact with questions?
For anything related to the Fairbanks Chamber’s political forums, please contact the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: 907-452-1105
Email: jackson@fairbankschamber.org