Bill Walker in 2018 AK Governor's race

On Health Care: 2015: expanded Medicaid himself after Legislature opted out

Walker opted to expand Medicaid himself in 2015 after the state Legislature opted not to pass a bill expanding the program. But Dunleavy has criticized the move during campaign events and said at a recent debate that "we need to make sure the programs we have in place are managed well." One of Dunleavy's six major policy planks is cutting state spending.

Walker said as he dropped out that Dunleavy would "cause the most vulnerable to suffer the brunt of the additional $1 billion in budget cuts he vows to make to education, rural Alaska and those receiving health care."

On Environment: Opposes "Stand for Salmon"; we need development instead

A: Walker is a "no" on Ballot Measure 1. He said he was a "no" before the Alaska Supreme Court ruled the initiative could go on the November ballot with some adjustments. He said he has been cautioned that, as governor, he needed to be careful about wading into the debate. But, to be clear, he said, he's still a "no."

"It concerns me a great deal as an Alaskan, as what I'm trying to do as governor on bringing companies here, doing development in Alaska," he said. "An initiative is a blunt instrument and it's one that doesn't have the kind of back and forth that you normally would have in this kind of legislation, what would happen in Juneau on a piece of legislation such as this."

On Corporations: Invest 1% from Permanent Fund in new business startups

Walker argued his stewardship of the state through four rocky years of falling revenues and budget cuts, and passage this year of a major restructuring of state finances shows a solid record. If the ship of state were kept on course with him at the helm the fiscal restructuring could be finished--it is not yet done, Walker acknowledged--and restored business confidence would lead to new investment and the economy lifting itself.

One idea Walker offered up was to invest a small percentage of the Permanent Fund, something around 1 percent, to help new Alaska business startups. The governor cited a small oyster farm he visited in Southeast Alaska where demand is exceeding the ability to supply, and yet the small company can't see a path--or financing--to grow.

On Principles & Values: Unity ticket: running as Independent with Democrat Lt. Gov.

Walker in 2014 changed his party affiliation from Republican to undeclared in forming a so-called unity ticket with Mallott that was backed by Democrats.

Party primaries for governor and lieutenant governor determine who runs as a ticket in November. Candidates who bypass the primaries and instead gather signatures to appear on the general election ballot--as Walker opted to do--have a say in their running mates.

On Environment: Open Donlin goldmine; deal with mercury & cyanide monitoring

"I have to have a pretty strong reason to not support something and so I'm still looking at that, but what I know of it I'm comfortable with," Walker said.

The Donlin mine will require large treatment facilities for mercury and cyanide coming from the mine's operations. The Y-K Delta would have to be monitored forever, once it ceases operations.

Gov. Walker says he doesn't see the state relaxing monitoring enforcement, even with the budget crunch the last couple of years. He's confident the state can adequately regulate the mine. "We certainly we have laws in place," Walker said. "I believe if we need to strengthen those laws, then let's strengthen those laws."

On Free Trade: Avoid an unnecessary trade war with China

"Alaska has abundant resources, from natural gas and seafood to beer and baby food. These resources enable our state to dramatically reduce the trade deficit between the United States and China, if we can finalize agreements to increase exports of our products. Trade negotiations between leaders from both countries are ongoing. I am confident that we will, in the end, embrace the opportunity for mutual economic growth that we can achieve by working together. Next week, I will meet in Washington with leaders from both governments who have been at the table leading the efforts to avoid an unnecessary trade war. I will continue to work directly with both sides to make sure Alaska's interests are protected."

On Environment: State should address climate change

On Health Care: Bipartisan compromise on healthcare

On Education: Expand voucher eligibility

On Drugs: Let states continue to experiment with pot