David Bronson (born June 26, 1958) is an American politician, pilot, and retired
Air Force
An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviati ...
officer. A
Republican, he was the 37th
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
of
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, officially the Municipality of Anchorage, is the List of cities in Alaska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska. With a population of 291,247 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it contains nearly 40 percent of ...
from 2021 until 2024.
Early life and education
Bronson was born and raised in the southern end of
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior (; ) is a city in Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. The population was 26,751 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located at the western end of Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin, the city l ...
. He was born to parents, Bill, and Sandy Bronson. He also attended Superior High School. As a young boy, Dave distributed the Evening telegram. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from the
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, UW, UW–Madison, or simply Madison) is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved st ...
.
Career
After graduating, Dave was involved in the creation of Alaska Family Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes
traditional
A tradition is a system of beliefs or behaviors (folk custom) passed down within a group of people or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examp ...
Christian values
Christian values historically refers to values derived from the teachings of Jesus Christ. The term has various applications and meanings, and specific definitions can vary widely between denominations, geographical locations, historical context ...
and is against same-sex marriage and abortion. In 2011, Bronson ran for a Midtown Assembly seat and lost. During the assembly, Bronson was asked about certain policies including collective bargaining and tax burdens. Bronson served as a pilot in the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
from 1981 to 1990, as an
Air Force Reserve Command
The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a MAJCOM, major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of ...
plans officer from 1992 to 1993, and an
Alaska Air National Guard
The Alaska Air National Guard (AK ANG) is the aerial militia of the Alaska, State of Alaska, United States, United States of America. It is, along with the Alaska Army National Guard, an element of the Alaska National Guard.
As state military u ...
maintenance officer and pilot from 1993 to 2005, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He has also worked as a commercial pilot since 1990. In January 2021, Bronson declared his candidacy for mayor in the
2021 Anchorage mayoral election. In the general election, Bronson placed first in a field of 15 candidates. Bronson then narrowly defeated Forrest Dunbar in a May 2021 runoff election. Dunbar conceded the race to Bronson on May 21, 2021. Though Anchorage mayoral elections are nonpartisan, Bronson is a registered Republican.
Mayor of Anchorage
Anchorage has
mayor council leadership that gives the mayor power similar to that of a chief executive. In other words, Anchorage has a strong mayoral system. In this system, the mayor has veto power as well as the power to propose the annual fiscal budget. However, even though the mayor has the power to propose the budget, the Assembly has the ultimate power to approve or reject proposed changes to the budget. The mayor is also responsible for appointing a municipal manager who is responsible for everyday operations. But, prior to being appointed, the municipal manager must undergo a confirmation process by the city Assembly.
In October 2023 Bronson proposed a revised operating budget for the city in 2024. Currently, the city of Anchorage spends roughly $600 million annually. Bronson's proposed budget would cut current spending by about $2.4 million. Despite these proposed changes, Bronson has continued to emphasize the importance of core public services such as: increased funding for public transportation, snow removal and road maintenance and repairs. In addition, Bronson emphasized the importance of funding necessary public health and safety services in an attempt to prioritize the needs of Anchorage residents.
The month after Bronson took office, he revoked a
paid parental leave
Parental leave, or family leave, is an employee benefit available in almost all countries. The term "parental leave" may include maternity, paternity, and adoption leave; or may be used distinctively from "maternity leave" and "paternity leave" ...
policy for city workers. Another policy was revoked that allowed non-unionized city workers to bring their young children (up to six months old) to the office. Both policies were enacted by the previous mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson late into her term. Bronson cited the lack of research on the policies prior to implementation and their rushed nature of approval as reason for their dismissal. He also said that he received complaints from workers about children brought to work.
During the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, Bronson has declined to enact
mask
A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment, and often employed for rituals and rites. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes, ...
or vaccine requirements, saying that it was a matter of personal choice. He also said he
would not get a vaccine, calling it "experimental". During an
Anchorage Assembly
The Anchorage Assembly is the governing body of Anchorage, Alaska. The Assembly has twelve members elected to three-year terms from six districts. It is responsible for creating and approving the city's annual budget, appropriating municipal fund ...
meeting on September 29, 2021, he defended the use of
Star of David
The Star of David (, , ) is a symbol generally recognized as representing both Jewish identity and Judaism. Its shape is that of a hexagram: the compound of two equilateral triangles.
A derivation of the Seal of Solomon was used for decora ...
holocaust
The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...
imagery worn by those opposed to a municipal mask mandate.
The mandatory mask ordinance–requiring any individual older than two years old to wear a facial mask indoors–was debated at the meeting. Mayor Bronson initially advocated for the symbol's usage, calling it a “credit to
ews” but later recanted the statement after public criticism. He went on to say that although he agreed with opposing the mask ordinance, that protestors should choose a different symbol to do so.
On October 1, he ordered a stop to
water fluoridation
Water fluoridation is the controlled addition of fluoride to Public water supply, public water supplies to reduce tooth decay. Fluoridated water maintains fluoride levels effective for cavity prevention, achieved naturally or through supplem ...
in Anchorage based on reports of dangers, such as burning eyes and throats of workers. Bronson's response was criticized by the representative of the workers, Aaron Plikat, who claims that they had never complained about the fluoride. He allowed it to resume when he discovered that it is mandated by Anchorage's municipal code, and no significant impact on the water fluoridation level was caused on October 1, 2021.
In May 2023, Bronson closed the homeless shelter at the
Sullivan Arena
George M. Sullivan Arena (commonly shortened to "Sullivan Arena" and often referred to colloquially as "The Sully") is a 6,290-seat arena in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. The arena is named after former Anchorage mayor George M. Sullivan. It ...
leading the homeless encampments in Anchorage parks to "explode in size." Bronson said that the Arena should go back to hosting concerts and hockey games, and suggested sending the homeless people to
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
and other cities in the
contiguous United States
The contiguous United States, also known as the U.S. mainland, officially referred to as the conterminous United States, consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states and the District of Columbia of the United States in central North America. The te ...
. Bronson had made plans to construct a new shelter for up to 200 people, but the Anchorage Assembly shut down the project. Construction had begun without finalizing funding and without a plan for its operating costs going forward.
Electoral history
In the
2021 Anchorage mayoral election, Bronson and Forrest Dunbar advanced to a runoff election on May 11 after no one gained a majority in the general election on April 5. Dunbar conceded on May 21. Bronson received 50.66% of the vote, while Dunbar received 49.34%.
Bronson lost the
2024 Anchorage mayoral election in the May 14 runoff against
Suzanne LaFrance
Suzanne M. LaFrance (born 1968 or 1969) is an American businesswoman and politician from the state of Alaska. She is the 38th mayor of Anchorage, having unseated incumbent mayor Dave Bronson in the 2024 election.
Life and career
LaFrance was ...
.
Personal life
Bronson and his wife Debra attend Mountain City Church (formerly Anchorage Baptist Temple). During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronson accepted an early retirement package from Delta Airlines, where he had been a commercial pilot. Dave Bronson has a son Zach Bronson, and a daughter Katie Bronson. Dave's son Zach followed in his footsteps and became a commercial pilot. In the downtime, Dave enjoys spending time with family and going hunting and fishing. In 2025, he was appointed Airport Manager of
Anchorage Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major airport in the U.S. state of Alaska, located southwest of downtown Anchorage. The airport is named for Ted Stevens, who served as a senator of Alaska from 1968 to 2009. It is included in ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bronson, Dave
1958 births
21st-century mayors of places in Alaska
Alaska Republicans
Living people
Mayors of Anchorage, Alaska
Military personnel from Wisconsin
People from Superior, Wisconsin
United States Air Force officers
University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni