Hubbry Logo
Mike Dunleavy (politician)Mike Dunleavy (politician)Main
Open search
Mike Dunleavy (politician)
Community hub
Mike Dunleavy (politician)
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mike Dunleavy (politician)
Mike Dunleavy (politician)
Mike Dunleavy (politician)
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Michael James Dunleavy (born May 5, 1961) is an American politician and educator serving since 2018 as the 12th governor of Alaska. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2013 to 2018 as a member of the Alaska Senate. He defeated former U.S. senator Mark Begich in the 2018 gubernatorial election after incumbent governor Bill Walker dropped out of the race, and was reelected in 2022.

Key Information

Early life, education, and teaching career

[edit]

Dunleavy was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Scranton Central High School in 1979, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at Misericordia University in 1983.[1] In 1983, he moved to Alaska and his first job was at a logging camp in Southeast Alaska.[2] Later, Dunleavy earned his master's degree in education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.[3] He spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Dunleavy's wife, Rose, is from the Kobuk River Valley community of Noorvik. They have three children, who were raised in both rural and urban Alaska. In 2004, Dunleavy and his family moved to Wasilla, where he owned an educational consulting firm and worked on a number of statewide educational projects. Before his election to the Alaska Senate, Dunleavy served on the board of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, including two years as its president.[2]

State legislative career

[edit]

Dunleavy defeated incumbent state senator Linda Menard (redistricted from District G) in the District D August 28, 2012, Republican primary with 2,802 votes (57.42%).[4] He was unopposed in the November 6 general election and won with 11,724 votes (94.24%) against write-in candidates.[5]

Dunleavy represented District D from 2013 to 2014, before redistricting placed him in District E, where he continued to serve until his resignation in late 2018 to run for governor.[6]

Dunleavy held various committee positions during his first term. He served as chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, co-chair of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) Throughput Special Committee, vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and a member of the Legislative Council.[7]

Dunleavy also chaired the Senate Environmental Conservation Finance Subcommittee and the Fish & Game Finance Subcommittee, and served on Legislative Budget & Audit and World Trade committees in his first term.[8]

As co‑chair of the Trans‑Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) Throughput Special Committee, Dunleavy oversaw hearings on oil and gas bills such as SB 21 (a ConocoPhillips-supported oil tax credit bill).[9]

In 2014, Dunleavy ran unopposed in the Republican primary election on August 19.[10] He defeated Democratic nominee Warren Keogh in the November general election with 64.65% of the vote.[11]

During his second term, Dunleavy was chair of the Senate Education Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Federal Overreach.[12]

Dunleavy introduced multiple bills and resolutions to expand and enhance public charter schools, correspondence study programs, tax credits for educational contributions, and a constitutional amendment for the use of public education. He was successful with legislation in his second term, establishing Alaska's parental bill of rights.[13]

In 2013, Dunleavy sponsored legislation to create Alaska's correspondence school allotment program, SB100.[14][non-primary sources needed] This program allowed parents of students enrolled in correspondence (homeschool) programs to use state education funds, called "allotments", for educational materials and services from public, private, or religious organizations. The legislation was passed in 2014 via an omnibus education package, HB278.[15][non-primary sources needed] Dunleavy's initiative aimed to increase educational flexibility for families, enabling them to tailor their children's education to better meet individual needs.[16]

Governor of Alaska

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2018

[edit]
Main article: 2018 Alaska gubernatorial election

In 2017, Dunleavy announced he would run for governor in 2018 but abandoned the race in September 2017, citing heart problems.[17] In December 2017 he announced his return to the race.[18] He resigned his Senate seat effective January 15, 2018, to focus on his campaign.[19] Retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel Mike Shower was chosen as his successor by Governor Bill Walker and confirmed by the Alaska Senate caucus after numerous replacement candidates were rejected.[20]

2022

[edit]
Main article: 2022 Alaska gubernatorial election

In August 2021, Dunleavy announced his candidacy for reelection in 2022.[21] He was reelected with 50.3% of the vote, becoming the first incumbent Republican governor of Alaska to be reelected since Jay Hammond in 1978 and the first Alaska governor of any political affiliation to be reelected since Tony Knowles in 1998.[22][23]

Tenure

[edit]
Dunleavy speaking in the governor's office, accompanied by members of his administration, on May 15, 2019.
Dunleavy meeting with residents at a meeting regarding the Deshka Landing Fire in 2019.
Dunleavy meeting with South Korea's Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon in March 2025.

Dunleavy and Kevin Meyer were the Republican nominees for governor and lieutenant governor of Alaska, respectively, and were elected in the November 2018 general election. Dunleavy was sworn in on December 3, 2018. He appointed Kevin Clarkson to be Alaska attorney general.[24]

Earthquake

[edit]

A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Southcentral Alaska on November 30, 2018, three days before Dunleavy took office, causing significant damage throughout the region.[25] Within hours, he and his team assessed the situation at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) alongside the outgoing administration of Governor Bill Walker. On December 31, Dunleavy returned to the State Emergency Operations Center to personally thank the SEOC staff for their service.[26]

On January 3, 2019, Dunleavy requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration[27] for federal assistance to Alaska. He thanked President Donald Trump for approving the request for disaster assistance on January 31.[28] Dunleavy sponsored the Disaster Relief Act of 2019[29] during the legislative session to assist with response, recovery, and relief efforts after the earthquake. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law on April 5, 2019.[30][31] Dunleavy said: "This bill is going to be very important for Alaska – Southcentral Alaska – to make sure we get our bridges and roads up to speed. As springtime continues to uncover potential infrastructure issues, this relief money is going to help tremendously."[32]

Wildfires

[edit]

In August 2019, Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration as a result of multiple wildfires in Alaska.[33] 2.6 million acres burned that summer. "This declaration frees up financial assistance to help the victims of these devastating fires begin to rebuild their lives as quickly as possible", he said.[34]

Budget

[edit]

On June 28, 2019, Dunleavy exercised line-item veto authority as governor to make cuts of $433 million, including a cut of $130 million (41%) of state contributions to the University of Alaska.[35]

Also on June 28, 2019, Dunleavy vetoed $335,000 from the budget of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating that he did so because the Court had held that the state was constitutionally required to provide public funding for elective abortions.[36]

In September 2020, Dunleavy agreed to reimburse the state $2,800 for allegedly partisan advertisements that were paid for with state funds. Dunleavy did not admit to wrongdoing, but stated that it was in the best interest of the state to resolve the allegations.[37]

On September 6, 2022, a complaint was filed against Dunleavy alleging that his campaign was paying staffers with state funds.[38]

In 2023, one of Dunleavy's advisors, Jeremy Cubas, resigned after inflammatory statements he made on his podcast became common knowledge.[39]

Job approval

[edit]
Governor Mike Dunleavy's State of the State before the Alaska State Legislature in 2020

A 2021 Morning Consult poll listed Dunleavy among the top 16 most popular governors in the United States.[40]

In 2023, a Morning Consult poll showed Dunleavy as the fifth-most popular governor, with a job approval rating of 63%.[41]

Recall attempt

[edit]

On July 15, 2019, an effort to recall Dunleavy began after a public backlash over his cuts to public assistance, education and the University of Alaska ($135 million cut to state funding, about a 41% reduction).[42] It was the second recall petition against a governor in Alaska history, the first being the failed petition against Governor Wally Hickel.[43] Had the recall election been successful, Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer would have become governor.[44]

To have the petition certified by the Division of Elections, the petitioners were first required to submit 28,501 signatures (approximately 10% of the voting population in Alaska's last general election).[45] On September 5, 2019, volunteers submitted 49,006 petition signatures.[46] On November 4, 2019, the Division of Elections declined to certify the recall petition after the Alaska attorney general Kevin Clarkson, a Dunleavy appointee, issued a legal opinion.[47] Clarkson acknowledged that the petitioners had submitted enough signatures and paid the necessary fees, but asserted that "the four allegations against the governor 'fail to meet any of the listed grounds for recall—neglect of duty, incompetence, or lack of fitness'". The petitioners said they would appeal the division's decision.[48]

In January 2020, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth rejected the division's decision not to certify the recall petition. The state appealed Aarseth's ruling to the Alaska Supreme Court, which on May 8 affirmed that the recall effort could proceed.[49][50]

The "Recall Dunleavy" effort failed to submit enough signatures to trigger a recall election in November 2020 or in 2021.[51] Dunleavy won a second term as governor in November 2022 as part of the usual electoral process, making him the first governor to be reelected since Tony Knowles in 1998, and the first Republican governor to be reelected since Jay Hammond in 1978.

Political positions

[edit]

Economy and workforce development

[edit]

In 2020, Dunleavy established the Alaska Development Team to promote business growth and attract new investments to the state. The team aims to facilitate business operations in Alaska and encourage companies to invest in industries like oil and gas, mining, tourism, commercial fishing, and aerospace.

In 2023, Dunleavy issued Administrative Order 343 to address workforce shortages by removing four-year degree requirements for most state jobs. This initiative aimed to expand employment opportunities and increase workforce flexibility. "If we're going to address our labor shortage, we have to recognize the value that apprenticeships, on-the-job training, military training, trade schools and other experience provides applicants. If a person can do the job, we shouldn't be holding anyone back just because they don't have a degree."[52]

Alaska LNG Project

[edit]
Main article: Alaska LNG
Alaska oil and natural gas pipelines, and proposed natural gas pipelines.

Dunleavy's administration has made significant efforts to enhance Alaska's economy and workforce development. One major initiative is the advancement of the Alaska LNG Project (liquefied natural gas), which aims to build an 800-mile pipeline to transport natural gas from the North Slope to southern Alaska for export, with potential markets in Asia. "The Alaska LNG project is well positioned for Alaska to realize the decades-old dream of bringing our natural gas off the North Slope for the benefit of Alaskans and worldwide markets", Dunleavy said.[53]

In 2022, Alaska officials, including Dunleavy, the head of the state's gas line agency, and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, met with Japanese energy representatives to promote the Alaska LNG project in Tokyo. U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel convened the meeting to discuss the prospect of exporting liquefied natural gas from Alaska's North Slope to Japan.[54]

In 2024, an independent report by Wood Mackenzie estimated that the pipeline project could stimulate industrial demand, reduce emissions, and provide long-term economic benefits to Alaska. The report also concluded that the delivered cost of gas via the pipeline would likely be lower than LNG imports, especially when considering the potential for additional industrial demand.

In March 2025, Dunleavy announced[55] significant progress on the Alaska LNG Project to transport natural gas from the North Slope to global markets. The state reached a definitive agreement with Glenfarne Group,[56] a private energy infrastructure firm, granting it a 75% ownership stake in 8 Star Alaska—the entity managing the project. Glenfarne will lead the development through to construction and operation, with the State of Alaska retaining a 25% share. The project encompasses an 807-mile pipeline, a liquefaction facility in Nikiski capable of exporting up to 20 million tons of LNG annually, and a carbon capture plant designed to sequester 7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year. During a press conference in Tokyo,[55] part of a broader Asian tour to secure investment and buyers,[57] Dunleavy highlighted a non-binding letter of intent from Taiwan's CPC Corporation to purchase 6 million tons of LNG annually and potentially invest in the project. Discussions with officials and business leaders in South Korea and Japan also indicated interest, though no binding agreements were reached. Dunleavy emphasized the project's potential to enhance energy security for both Alaska and its Asian partners, aiming for a final investment decision by the end of 2025 and operations to commence by 2030.[58]

Education

[edit]

Alaska Reads Act

[edit]
Main article: Alaska Reads Act
Governor Mike Dunleavy during the ceremony celebrating the Alaska Reads Act signed into law
Governor Mike Dunleavy during the ceremony celebrating the Alaska Reads Act signed into law

In 2020, Dunleavy announced a bipartisan initiative called the Alaska Reads Act,[59] which "focused on enhancing interventions for struggling readers and offering targeted school-improvement in the state's lowest performing schools". The Alaska Reads Act aimed to improve reading for kindergarten through third-grade students with a reading intervention program, teacher training, and data reporting requirements. Dunleavy worked with State Senator Tom Begich to introduce the bill. The Alaska Legislature passed the Alaska Reads Act in May 2022.[60][61] Implementation of the program began in 2023. Program outcomes in 2024 showed improvement. At the beginning of the school year, 41% of students reached early literacy benchmarks. By the end of the year, this figure increased to 57%. Among kindergartners, the proficiency rate rose from 24% at the start of the year to 60% by the year's end.[62] Dunleavy issued the statement, "I'm encouraged by the improvements Alaska's students are already experiencing because of the Alaska Reads Act, as these results are beginning to show, when we implement effective education reform, Alaska's students are capable of success."[63][64]

COVID-19

[edit]
See also: COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska

On March 11, 2020, Dunleavy's office declared a state of emergency to ensure all entities had the necessary response resources a day before the first case arrived via a foreign national in Anchorage.[65] Two days later, Dunleavy ordered public schools to close from March 16 to 30.[66] That April, Dunleavy activated the State Emergency Operations Center under Alaska's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Joint Task Force-Alaska was stood up to provide a coordinated effort for the Alaska Army and Air National Guard, the Alaska State Defense Force, and the Alaska Naval Militia to support the state.[67]

On May 19, Dunleavy announced the lifting of all state mandates for businesses and public gatherings, keeping only a mandatory (but unenforced) quarantine period for persons coming from out of state.[68] A month later, Dunleavy announced a new extension of the two-week quarantine measure that required visitors to Alaska to present a negative test for the virus if they were not willing to self-quarantine for two weeks.[69]

In April 2021, Dunleavy announced that Alaska would offer free vaccinations to tourists at major airports starting June 1, as part of the United States' vaccination campaign.[70] That October, Dunleavy refused to issue another COVID-19 disaster declaration, thinking it unnecessary. "Exercising the Disaster Act does not give our team any more health tools than what they need and are using right now", he said, adding, "Masking is, as I have stated, a local issue best left to local leaders."[71] Dunleavy later clarified that he didn't endorse mask or vaccine mandates but wouldn't ban them either.[72] The next month, he ordered state agencies to ignore federal vaccine mandates, arguing that they were "unconstitutional" and "completely unnecessary" and claiming that Alaska had handled COVID better than nearly every other state.[73]

Abortion

[edit]

Dunleavy opposes abortion. In July 2019, he vetoed $334,700 for the state to pay for abortions from the court system's budget. The Dunleavy administration wrote, "The legislative and executive branch are opposed to state-funded elective abortions; the only branch of government that insists on state-funded elective abortions is the Supreme Court."[74] A year later, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jennifer S. Henderson ruled that Dunleavy's vetoes in 2019 and 2020 were unconstitutional and violated the separation of powers doctrine: "In spite of this Court's faith that the Alaska judiciary remains independent and committed to its essential function of deciding cases according to the rule of law, the Court must unfortunately conclude that in vetoing funds appropriated to the State appellate courts in express retaliation against the Alaska Supreme Court for its legal decision-making, the Governor violated the separation of powers doctrine."[75]

Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend

[edit]

As a candidate[76] and governor, Dunleavy advocated for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), consistently pushing for full statutory payments to Alaskans.[77] The Alaska Permanent Fund is a state-owned investment fund established in 1976 to invest surplus revenue from Alaska's oil and gas reserves. The PFD is an annual payout from the fund's earnings to eligible Alaska residents. During Governor Bill Walker's administration, the payments were reduced through the legislative budget process.[78] A fundamental change in how the payouts were conducted resulted in smaller checks.

In 2019, Dunleavy introduced bills to restore the dividends and repay Alaskans for the previous reduced payments, saying, "The PFD must be paid out according to the law, Alaskans must be paid back what the governor arbitrarily took from them, and future actions involving the PFD must be approved by voters."[79] In 2020, he submitted a budget amendment to the legislature to fully fund the 2019 dividend.

Dunleavy also submitted bills to establish a PFD Land Voucher program to allow Alaska residents to receive land vouchers worth twice the value of a dividend for purchasing state land. This initiative aimed to promote land ownership among residents and enhance state revenue.[80]

Despite legislative resistance, Dunleavy continued to advocate higher dividends. In 2021, he proposed an amendment to the Alaska Constitution to guarantee the dividend's payment by using a formula.[81] By 2022, with oil revenues rising to unexpected levels, a $3,700 PFD was proposed to give immediate economic relief to Alaskans facing high inflation and fuel costs. Revenue forecasts suggested that the state could afford significant PFD payments while maintaining budget surpluses and savings.[82]

Environment

[edit]

Dunleavy rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. In February 2019, he abolished Alaska's climate change task force, a team instated by Bill Walker, calling it unnecessary.[83]

In September 2019, during a meeting at the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds with Mark Gordon, Dunleavy said that warming the Arctic could be good for Alaska, believing that it could create further business opportunities.[84] In October 2019, Dunleavy clashed with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter over the Green New Deal proposal, saying that the Green New Deal would impact our civilization as we know it.[85]

Energy and natural resources

[edit]

In September 2020, Dunleavy expressed support for renewable energy ideas: "I know there's a view on the part of some that a Republican governor that is supportive of Alaska's resource extraction industries, including those around fossil fuels, would not want anything to do with renewables" and "It makes total sense to explore pumped hydro, using wind as a main source of energy and the reservoir as the batteries."[86]

In February 2022, Dunleavy denounced the Biden administration's request for suspension of the Ambler Road Project: "The Biden Administration has opened yet another front in its war on Alaska. You would think President Biden would want to improve access to American sources of copper and other strategic minerals that are needed in our combined efforts to increase renewables. Instead, actions like this only serve to push development to Third World nations that don't have the environmental ethic that Alaskans have. This pendulum swing away from the last federal administration's approval disregards extensive environmental studies and widespread social engagement while creating instability in long-term investment."[87]

Dunleavy has encouraged the United States Environmental Protection Agency to approve the permit for Pebble Mine, which other Alaska politicians oppose because it would threaten the fishery of Bristol Bay.[88]

Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference

[edit]

In May 2022, Dunleavy sponsored the first annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage. Over 80 speakers, including policymakers and experts, discussed strategies to harness Alaska's renewable energy resources and achieve energy independence. Over 500 people attended.[89] On the conference's first day, Dunleavy signed into law a nuclear microreactor bill[90] intended to create low-cost, reliable power for communities, remote villages, and resource development projects, and reduce reliance on volatile energy sources.[91]

Carbon offset markets

[edit]

In 2023, Dunleavy introduced a legislative package[92] to diversify Alaska's revenue through carbon markets alongside existing oil and gas revenues and the Alaska Permanent Fund. The legislation, signed into law on May 23,[93] established rules for storing carbon dioxide underground and initiated a carbon offsets program. This initiative aimed to complement existing industries, not replace them.[94]

"This bill specifically creates new authorities for State agencies to license, lease, and administer the State's pore space for geological storage; administer pipeline infrastructure for transportation of captured carbon to geological storage facilities and administer injection wells and carbon storage facilities; and protect correlative rights of all subsurface owners."[95]

Unlocking Alaska Initiative

[edit]
Governor Dunleavy with President Donald Trump

Dunleavy's administration took several initiatives to assert state control over federal lands and waters. These efforts aimed to reduce federal overreach and increase Alaska's autonomy in managing its natural resources. In March 2021, Dunleavy announced the "Unlocking Alaska" initiative to assert state control over approximately 800,000 miles of Alaska's navigable rivers, lakes, and tidelands. This move aimed to end decades of federal obstruction and delay in recognizing Alaska's ownership of these waters, and to enforce state rights promised under the Alaska Statehood Act. The initiative was inspired by the Supreme Court decision Sturgeon v. Frost, which affirmed Alaska's authority over its navigable waters within federal conservation units. Dunleavy emphasized reducing federal interference and enhancing state management for economic use and recreational access. He took legal and administrative actions, including a lawsuit against the federal government, issuing trespass notices, and sending cease-and-desist letters to federal agencies such as the Forest Service and the National Park Service.[96][97]

Dunleavy's "Unlocking Alaska" initiative was boosted when the Interior Board of Land Appeals upheld Alaska's ownership of 7,552 acres of submerged lands under the Kuskokwim River. This decision validated the state's long-standing claims under the Equal Footing Doctrine and the Submerged Lands Act. The state had initially applied for a recordable disclaimer of interest, which the Bureau of Land Management denied. The appeal's success supported further actions by Alaska to assert land rights and challenge federal overreach. "The essential legal principles supporting Alaska's win in this case are the same ones underlying my 'Unlocking Alaska' Initiative", Dunleavy said. "While it's taken nearly six years, the Interior Department has acknowledged that the U.S. Constitution and federal law make it clear Alaska owns submerged lands in Alaska."[98]

Criminal justice

[edit]

From 2019 to 2023, Alaska's crime rate dropped about 31%. During the same period, violent crime dropped by 15.9%.[99]

Repeal of SB91 and other initiatives

[edit]

Dunleavy's campaign platform focused on repealing and replacing Senate Bill 91 (SB91),[100] a comprehensive criminal justice reform act signed into law by Governor Bill Walker on July 11, 2016. SB91 implemented recommendations from a 2015 Alaska Criminal Justice Commission report[101] to reform Alaska's parole and pretrial systems, generally lowering criminal punishments for nonviolent offenses. But the implementation of SB91 coincided with a spike in crime, leading to concern and anger among many Alaskans. This rise in crime was largely attributed to the reforms SB91 introduced.[102]

Governor Mike Dunleavy during the bill signing ceremony for HB49

In January 2019, Dunleavy announced that he would repeal and replace SB91[103] and declare "war on criminals" by proposing four bills that would increase criminal penalties for sexual offenses; reverse a range of reductions to sentences; add a new category of crime called terroristic threatening; increase bail and give judges more discretion in how people charged with crimes are released before trials; and reduce the use of parole. He said, "If you are a criminal, this is the beginning of the end for your activities", and "If you're going to assault people—if you're going to engage in sexual assaults, physical assaults—this is going to be a very unsafe place for you. We're not going to tolerate it at all."[104][105] One of these bills, House Bill 49 (HB49), passed the legislature and repealed many reforms made in 2016.[106] On Twitter, Dunleavy posted, "Public safety has been priority # 1 for my admin, I'm pleased the House has passed legislation to repeal the failed SB91 & replace it with common sense crime laws that will give police, judges, & prosecutors the tools they need to address the crime wave in Alaska." He signed HB49 into law on July 8, 2019.[107]

In 2024, Dunleavy signed a comprehensive crime bill aimed at improving public safety. The legislation targets issues like fentanyl, child exploitation, and human trafficking, while enhancing protections for crime victims. It includes stricter penalties for drug-related deaths, updates the sex offender registry, and introduces new crimes, such as assaulting someone in a child's presence.[108]

Public safety

[edit]

Staffing and vacancies

[edit]

From the start of his tenure, Dunleavy's administration, along with the legislature, steadily increased the number of budgeted law enforcement positions, reflecting a commitment to strengthening public safety. In fiscal year 2019, the state allocated funding for 387 positions, which grew each year, reaching 444 budgeted positions by fiscal year 2025—a 14.7% increase over the period.[109]

Sexual assault rape kits

[edit]

In 2021, Dunleavy's administration announced that thousands of unprocessed sexual assault kits had been cleared. In 2016, it was discovered that there was a significant backlog of SAR kits. Dunleavy said, "We've put in place internal steps to prevent this kind of backlog from ever happening again and added resources to the State crime lab to ensure every kit is tested within 90 days or sooner."[110] His initiative included the use of software and a tracking database to allow survivors and agencies involved in sexual assault response to track the status and location of sexual assault examination kits.[111]

George Floyd

[edit]

In May 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, Dunleavy called the act "horrific" and thanked Alaskans for their peaceful protests. "People absolutely have the right to protest: This is America", Dunleavy said. "What occurred in Minneapolis when Mr. Floyd was killed in that police action, we all know is terrible." But Dunleavy expressed concern that the protests in Alaska could spread COVID-19, noting that any events that combine people being in close proximity with singing and shouting can spread the virus. He emphasized advice from state officials that people at gatherings wear face masks or stay at least 6 to 10 feet away from others.[112]

Second Amendment

[edit]

Dunleavy advocated for Alaskans' Second Amendment right to bear arms while campaigning and during his tenure. He was endorsed by the National Rifle Association in 2018[113] and 2022.[114]

In 2022, Dunleavy applauded a Supreme Court decision that struck down New York's firearm licensing policy as unconstitutional, calling it a significant win for the Second Amendment and law-abiding Americans.[115]

In 2023, he supported and signed into law House Bill 61, a bill to block state and local officials from closing gun stores during disasters declared by the governor unless such closures apply to all other businesses. This marked the first major pro-Second Amendment legislation passed in Alaska. "This bill reflects the constitutional right Alaskans have to keep and bear arms by protecting access to both firearms and ammunition when Alaskans need it the most", Dunleavy said.[116]

Immigration

[edit]

In May 2022, Dunleavy expressed opposition to the termination of Title 42 by the Centers for Disease Control: "The Termination Order is detrimental to the states tasked with enforcing immigration standards, and it is not logically appropriate" and "This policy runs contrary to the Biden Administration's other declarations because it is expressly premised on the decrease of COVID-19, but the Administration has ignored these facts by enforcing mandatory vaccination and mask mandates."[117]

Voting rights

[edit]

In January 2022, Dunleavy called on legislators to "improve election integrity" by prohibiting automatic voter registration, tracking absentee balloting, requiring signature verification, and implementing voter roll maintenance, saying, "We just want to make sure that as we move forward in Alaska that our concerns, our worries, are taken care of."[118]

Electoral history

[edit]
2018 Republican primary results[119]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Dunleavy 43,802 61.5
Republican Mead Treadwell 22,780 32.0
Republican Michael Sheldon 1,640 2.3
Republican Merica Hlatcu 1,064 1.5
Republican Thomas Gordon 884 1.4
Republican Gerald Heikes 499 0.7
Republican Darin Colbry 416 0.6
Total votes 71,195 100.0
2018 Alaska gubernatorial election[120]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Dunleavy 145,631 51.44% +5.56%
Democratic Mark Begich 125,739 44.41% +44.41%
Independent Bill Walker (inc.) (withdrawn) 5,757 2.03% −46.07%
Libertarian William Toien 5,402 1.91% −1.30%
Write-in 605 0.21% -0.11%
Total votes 283,134 100.0% N/A
Republican gain from Independent
Primary election results[121][122]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican
76,534 40.43
Democratic
43,660 23.06
Independent
43,111 22.77
Republican
  • Charlie Pierce
  • Edie Grunwald
 		12,458 6.58
Republican
7,307 3.86
Independence
  • John Howe
  • Shellie Wyatt
 1,702 0.90
Republican
  • Bruce Walden
  • Tanya Lange
 1,661 0.88
Libertarian
  • William S. Toien
  • Shirley Rainbolt
 1,381 0.73
Republican
  • David Haeg
  • Waynette Coleman
 1,139 0.60
Independent
  • William Nemec
  • Ronnie Ostrem
 347 0.18
Total votes 188,626 100.00

<meta /> <meta />

2022 Alaska gubernatorial election[123]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican
132,632 50.29% −1.15%
Democratic
63,851 24.21% −20.20%
Independent
54,668 20.73% +18.70%
Republican
  • Charlie Pierce
  • Edie Grunwald (withdrew)[a]
 11,817 4.48% N/A
Write-in 784 0.30% +0.09%
Total votes 263,752 100.0%
Turnout 266,472 44.33% −5.49%
Registered electors 601,161
Republican hold

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Dunleavy (politician)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael James Dunleavy (born May 5, 1961) is an American politician and former educator serving as the 12th of since December 2018. A Republican, Dunleavy was first elected in 2018 by defeating independent Bill Walker and Democrat Mark Begich, then reelected in 2022 with over 50% of the vote, marking the first consecutive Republican gubernatorial victory in since 1978. Before entering statewide office, he represented the Matanuska-Susitna valleys in the Alaska Senate from 2013 to 2019, where he chaired the Finance Committee, and previously served as president of the Mat-Su Borough School Board from 2009 to 2012. Dunleavy, who moved to in 1983 after earning a bachelor's degree in history from , obtained a master's in education from the and spent nearly two decades teaching and later as superintendent in rural northwest school districts. His governorship has emphasized fiscal restraint amid volatile oil revenues, including $433 million in line-item vetoes in 2019 to curb spending growth and prioritize the Permanent Fund Dividend, which faced a failed effort that year. Key initiatives include repealing expansive reforms under Senate Bill 91 to address rising crime rates, securing federal for K-3 literacy programs, expanding e-learning access, and promoting oil and gas development on state lands to bolster economic independence.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Michael James Dunleavy was born on May 5, 1961, in , to working-class parents Edward Dunleavy, a , and Rose Dunleavy, a clerk at Scranton City Hall and union leader. His parents, both pro-life adherents and supporters of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Democratic politics, instilled in their children a strong , family loyalty, and moral commitments. Dunleavy grew up in North Scranton alongside three siblings, including an older brother, Francis. He attended Scranton Central High School, graduating in 1979 after excelling in , and developed an early affinity for the outdoors through activities like on Bell Mountain, squirrels, and fishing, earning him the nickname "Nature" among peers. In 1987, Dunleavy married Rose Dunleavy, an Inupiaq woman from the village of Noorvik in 's Kobuk River Valley whom he met in Nome. The couple has three daughters—Maggie, Catherine, and Ceil—raised across rural and urban settings in .

Academic pursuits

Dunleavy earned a degree in from (then known as College Misericordia) in , graduating in 1983. In the following year, 1984, he completed an educational endorsement program at the same institution, qualifying him for teaching certification. After relocating to in the mid-1980s, Dunleavy pursued certification as a teacher and advanced his studies in education. He obtained a degree from the in 1992, focusing on educational administration and leadership. This graduate work supported his subsequent career in rural Alaskan schools, where he applied principles of educational policy and community-based learning. No further advanced degrees or scholarly publications are documented in his academic record.

Pre-political career

Educational roles and administration

Dunleavy began his career in education after earning a degree from the in 1992. He spent nearly two decades working in northwest Arctic communities, initially as a public school teacher, advancing to roles as principal and ultimately superintendent of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. These positions involved administering schools in remote Alaskan villages, where he focused on educational delivery in challenging environments characterized by small student populations and logistical constraints. After relocating to Wasilla in , Dunleavy established Dunleavy Educational Services, an educational consulting firm. In 2006, he served as program manager for the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project, a state initiative aimed at pairing experienced with novices to improve retention and instructional quality. By 2011, he joined the as director of the Alaska Teacher Placement program and the Department of K-12 , roles that emphasized statewide recruitment, mentorship, and outreach to K-12 institutions. Throughout these administrative positions, Dunleavy's work centered on practical challenges in Alaskan , including teacher shortages in rural areas and programs, drawing from his direct experience in and . His tenure as superintendent ended prior to his consulting phase, amid reports of tensions with local stakeholders, though specific reasons for departure remain undocumented in primary records.

Legislative career

Entry into politics and Senate service

Dunleavy's entry into elective politics occurred through service on the Mat-Su Borough School District Board, where he also served as president for two years prior to his state legislative candidacy. Earlier, in 2010, he chaired the education transition team appointed by Governor , focusing on policy recommendations for Alaska's K-12 system following Parnell's election. In 2012, Dunleavy sought and won election to the Alaska State Senate, defeating incumbent Republican Linda Menard in the primary for District D, which encompassed portions of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough including Wasilla. He assumed office in January 2013 as part of the 28th Alaska State Legislature, representing a predominantly conservative rural and suburban constituency. Following 2012 redistricting, Dunleavy's district shifted to E for the 2014 election, where he ran unopposed in the general election after securing the Republican nomination. He continued serving through the 30th Legislature (2017–2018), focusing on issues such as education funding, fiscal restraint, and resource development reflective of his district's interests. Dunleavy resigned from the on January 15, 2018, to pursue the Republican nomination for amid Alaska's open-seat race after incumbent Bill Walker declined to seek re-election. His legislative tenure spanned five years, during which he aligned with the Republican caucus on priorities including permanent fund protections and reductions in state spending.

Legislative achievements and votes

During his tenure in the Alaska State Senate from 2013 to 2018, Mike Dunleavy served on the Senate Finance Committee and chaired the Senate Committee, emphasizing , resource development, and education reforms. He prime-sponsored several bills, including SB 27 in 2017, which sought to establish a on reading proficiency and screening in schools, though it did not advance beyond referral. Similarly, SB 84 in 2017 aimed to allocate Permanent Fund earnings toward dividends and the general fund to prioritize statutory payouts over , but it stalled in the Finance . Dunleavy consistently supported legislation restructuring Alaska's and gas tax regime to incentivize production amid declining revenues. He voted in favor of HB 111 on May 15, 2017, which restructured the and system by capping credits and adjusting production rates to encourage . He also voted yea on HB 247 on June 6, 2016, amending the and gas program to limit transferable credits and tie reimbursements to future prices. These measures reflected his priority on bolstering the state's -dependent without new broad-based taxes. On , Dunleavy voted yea on SB 128 on June 6, 2016, which amended Permanent Fund dividend calculations to maintain statutory levels amid shortfalls, opposing diversions to operations. He supported HB 57 on April 6, 2017, establishing the 2017-2018 operating , which included spending cuts and reliance on Permanent Fund earnings. His record showed opposition to hikes, consistent with his role in subcommittees advocating restraint during low oil price periods. In , Dunleavy voted against the final version of SB 91 on May 13, 2016, after House amendments expanded reductions in sentences for non-violent offenses, citing risks of and public safety threats; he had supported an earlier version with stricter provisions. This stance aligned with his later gubernatorial efforts to elements of the bill, enacted under , which data later linked to rising crime rates in . He voted yea on HB 156 on May 4, 2016, amending public education regulations, though broader education votes focused on accountability rather than funding increases.

Gubernatorial campaigns

2018 election

Dunleavy announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for on January 25, 2018, emphasizing fiscal restraint, restoration of full Permanent Fund Dividend payments, government downsizing, via vouchers, and reversal of Senate Bill 91, the 2016 law that campaign rhetoric attributed to leniency fostering crime increases. In the August 21, 2018, Republican primary, Dunleavy prevailed with 39,257 votes (61.8 percent), outperforming former Mead Treadwell's 20,280 votes (31.9 percent) and Anchorage contractor Michael Sheldon's 1,413 votes (2.2 percent), amid a low-turnout contest with 42,993 voters participating statewide. His platform resonated with voters frustrated by incumbent independent Bill Walker's partial PFD cuts to address budget shortfalls from declining oil revenues, positioning Dunleavy as a of establishment fiscal management. The November 6, 2018, general election pitted Dunleavy and running mate Kevin Meyer against Democratic nominee (in a Democratic-Libertarian fusion), Libertarian William Toien, and Walker, whose campaign suspended on October 19, 2018—endorsing Begich—following low polls and the resignation of Byron Mallott over misconduct, though Walker's name stayed on the ballot. Dunleavy secured victory with 145,631 votes (51.44 percent) to Begich's 125,739 (44.41 percent), Walker's 5,757 (2.03 percent), and Toien's 2,007 (0.71 percent), in a contest with 284,891 ballots cast from 571,320 registered voters. The win flipped the governorship to Republican control for the first time since 2006, driven by turnout in rural and conservative areas favoring Dunleavy's pledges for resource development and rejection of Walker's measures.

2022 re-election

Incumbent Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy sought re-election in Alaska's 2022 gubernatorial race, conducted under the state's nonpartisan top-four primary system adopted via voter initiative in 2020, followed by ranked-choice voting in the general election. The primary election occurred on August 16, 2022, with Dunleavy securing the top spot among 11 candidates, advancing alongside Democratic state Representative Les Gara, Republican Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, and independent former Governor Bill Walker. Dunleavy's campaign emphasized his first-term record of fiscal restraint, including multiple line-item vetoes to curb state spending growth amid volatile revenues, increases to the Permanent Fund Dividend payments to residents, and resistance to extended mandates, positioning him against opponents who criticized his vetoes as undermining public services. Gara, running on a platform of education funding and healthcare expansion, merged his campaign with Walker's to consolidate anti-Dunleavy votes, while Pierce appealed to conservative voters opposed to the incumbent's perceived moderation. Despite complaints alleging coordination between Dunleavy's team and outside groups like the , which were filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission but unresolved before the election, Dunleavy maintained strong fundraising and endorsements from national Republican figures. In the November 8, 2022, , Dunleavy garnered 50.3% of first-preference votes—approximately 143,000 out of 284,000 total—achieving an outright and negating the need for ranked-choice vote redistribution, a first under the new system for a gubernatorial contest. Gara received about 41%, Pierce 7%, and Walker 6%, with final certification on November 23, 2022, confirming Dunleavy's victory by roughly 25,500 votes. This re-election marked the first consecutive second term for an governor since Tony Knowles in 1998, reflecting voter approval of Dunleavy's approach to balancing the budget without broad-based taxes amid declining oil production. Turnout was around 58%, higher than the 2018 , amid broader debates over ranked-choice voting that Dunleavy and other Republicans sought to repeal but which did not impede his win.

Governorship

First term: Key initiatives and crises (2019–2023)

Governor Mike Dunleavy's first term began with a focus on public safety reforms, addressing what he described as the failures of the 2016 Senate Bill 91, which had reduced penalties for certain crimes and was credited by critics with contributing to rising crime rates. In July 2019, he signed House Bill 49 into law, repealing key provisions of SB 91 and introducing tougher measures on , sentencing for violent offenses, and pretrial release protocols, while allocating funds to hire additional state troopers. These changes aimed to reverse perceived leniency in the justice system, with Dunleavy's administration reporting subsequent increases in trooper staffing to bolster enforcement. Fiscal policy centered on protecting the statutory Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), Alaska's oil-revenue distribution to residents, amid ongoing budget disputes with a divided legislature. In June 2019, Dunleavy line-item vetoed approximately $409 million from the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, primarily targeting education, ferries, and university funding, to redirect resources toward a full PFD payment of about $3,000 per eligible resident rather than the half-payment proposed by lawmakers. This action, justified by the governor as enforcing fiscal discipline and statutory obligations, provoked widespread criticism for undermining essential services and triggered a failed recall petition effort against him in 2019-2020. Despite partial restorations after negotiations, such as a phased University of Alaska funding cut reduced from $135 million to $70 million over three years, the vetoes highlighted tensions over government spending limits and resource allocation. The term was marked by crises including the and . In March 2020, Dunleavy issued initial health mandates under disaster declarations, mandating , temporary non-essential business closures, and a 14-day for out-of-state travelers, while prioritizing economic relief through six focus areas like unemployment aid and small business support rather than prolonged lockdowns. He extended declarations into 2021 as cases surged, urging personal responsibility amid hospital strains, with experiencing variable outbreak severity but avoiding the strictest measures seen elsewhere. Concurrently, responses to wildfires—exacerbated by dry conditions in 2020-2022—included proclamations for prevention and preparedness, federal aid requests, and state resource mobilization, though funding vetoes in later budgets drew scrutiny from fire officials. Early term efforts also encompassed recovery from the , with a $141 million supplemental bill signed in 2019 for response and rebuilding.

Fiscal reforms and budget battles

Upon assuming in 2018, Dunleavy prioritized fiscal restraint to address Alaska's structural deficit, which stemmed from volatile oil revenues and reliance on the for dividends without broad-based taxes. In June 2019, he exercised authority to cut $444 million from the operating , targeting reductions in state services including education, the , and , arguing these measures were essential to curb unsustainable spending amid declining oil production. These vetoes, affecting 182 line items and reducing the by approximately 10 percent, provoked backlash from legislative Democrats and some Republicans, who viewed them as overly aggressive, leading to a failed effort and multiple special sessions. Dunleavy's budgets consistently proposed full statutory Permanent Fund Dividends (PFDs), calculated as 25 percent of the fund's , rather than the legislature's practice of diverting half to operations, which he contended eroded the program's original intent as a from resource wealth. For 2020, his proposal included a $3,000 PFD while seeking spending cuts, but the legislature reduced it to $1,600 and rejected many reductions, prompting four special sessions in 2021 to negotiate a comprehensive fiscal plan balancing dividends, savings, and revenue diversification. By 2022, amid recovering prices, Dunleavy secured a record $3,284 PFD, the largest in the program's history, reflecting partial alignment with his priorities despite ongoing disputes over growth. These battles highlighted tensions between Dunleavy's emphasis on limiting state expansion to pre-oil-crash levels and the legislature's push for restored funding in and , with vetoes often overridden or negotiated but reinforcing his administration's focus on long-term over short-term expansions. Critics in academia and media, which tend to favor higher spending, portrayed the cuts as harmful to vulnerable populations, yet empirical data showed 's budget deficits narrowing under restrained outlays, avoiding new taxes like or levies that Dunleavy opposed as economically distortive.

Response to natural disasters

During his first term, Dunleavy signed SB 38 into law on April 5, 2019, allocating $141 million for response, recovery, and relief efforts following the November 30, 2018, magnitude 7.0 centered near Anchorage, which caused widespread damage despite occurring just days before his . In December 2020, he directed his emergency response team to monitor a and resulting disaster in Haines, , which destroyed homes and . Dunleavy has frequently issued state disaster declarations to activate public and individual assistance programs for wildfires, including one on June 25, 2025, for fires in the Denali Borough that threatened communities and required enhanced suppression efforts funded partly by federal grants. He visited Fairbanks on July 3, 2025, to coordinate with Department of Natural Resources officials on ongoing amid an active season, while proclaiming annual Wildland Fire Prevention and Weeks to promote . For severe storms, Dunleavy responded to the remnants of Typhoon Merbok in September 2022 by conducting press conferences, assessing damage in Western communities like the Lower Kuskokwim region, and concluding site visits to evaluate recovery needs. He issued a declaration for 2023 spring floods and, in August 2025, for an imminent glacial flood threat in Juneau, mobilizing resources from Elmendorf-Richardson. In October 2025, following a series of powerful West Coast storms from ex-Typhoon Halong that devastated coastal communities with flooding and , Dunleavy declared a state disaster on October 10, amended it to expand support, and requested a federal major disaster declaration from President Trump, citing damage severity beyond state capacity and estimating up to 18 months for resident returns in some areas. The request was approved on October 22, providing $25 million in initial federal aid and 100% cost-sharing for eligible expenses.

Public safety and criminal justice reforms

Upon taking office in December 2018, Governor Dunleavy identified public safety as his top priority, citing Alaska's elevated crime rates—including the highest per capita rate in the U.S.—and attributing much of the increase to the 2016 Senate Bill 91 (SB 91), which had reduced sentences for many offenses and expanded alternatives to incarceration, leading to a 22% rise in property crimes and 34% in violent crimes from 2013 to 2017. In February 2019, he introduced four legislative bills targeting sex crimes, pretrial release processes, sentencing, and penalties to reverse SB 91's effects and deter . These efforts culminated in House Bill 49 (HB 49), signed into law on July 8, 2019, which partially repealed SB 91 by restoring mandatory minimum sentences for violent felonies, strengthening requirements to detain high-risk offenders pretrial (countering "catch-and-release" practices), classifying certain drug and theft offenses as felonies, and enhancing penalties for sexual assaults and . The measure also prioritized victim protections, such as expanded no-contact orders, and aimed to reduce early releases that had contributed to community safety concerns, though critics argued it overly prioritized incarceration over rehabilitation. Dunleavy supported these reforms with increased law enforcement resources, proposing in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget funding for 15 additional State Trooper (AST) positions, including detachments in rural areas like Western . His Fiscal Year 2022 budget allocated the largest public safety funding increase in three decades, adding 17 new trooper positions and 10 Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) to bolster rural policing. By 2021, the administration reported dozens of new troopers hired, contributing to early implementation of HB 49. In December 2021, Dunleavy launched the People First Initiative, a multifaceted program integrating public safety with behavioral health, child welfare, and prevention to address root causes of , including issues and family violence, through inter-agency coordination and community-based interventions. Preliminary outcomes included a 3.7% drop in reported violent crimes and 22.9% in property crimes in 2020—the lowest total in years—following HB 49's enactment, though pandemic-related factors influenced reporting. These steps reflected Dunleavy's emphasis on deterrence and enforcement over prior leniency-focused policies, amid ongoing debates about drivers in Alaska's remote communities.

Second term: Ongoing policies and developments (2023–present)

Mike Dunleavy commenced his second non-consecutive term as Alaska's on December 12, 2022, following his victory in the November 8, 2022, . His administration has emphasized structural reforms in , protection of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), advancement of (LNG) projects, and fiscal discipline amid volatile oil revenues and statutory spending obligations. These efforts have encountered legislative resistance, including multiple overrides and special sessions, as Dunleavy sought to align state policy with resource-driven economic growth and outcome-based governance. In , Dunleavy has pursued initiatives targeting and , including the introduction of bills like HB 76 and SB 82 to enhance student outcomes through evidence-based practices rather than solely increasing funding. He signed the Reads Act into law, mandating phonics-based reading instruction in early grades to address 's low national proficiency rankings, with implementation beginning in the 2023-2024 year. However, disputes arose over per-student funding; Dunleavy ed a legislatively proposed $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) in April 2025, arguing it would not yield measurable improvements without accompanying reforms, though the overrode the veto in May 2025, permanently raising the BSA to $6,300 effective FY2026. In January 2025, he outlined an omnibus package extending bond debt relief moratoriums and tying funding to performance metrics, amid ongoing negotiations. Economically, Dunleavy has prioritized energy independence, particularly the LNG project, which envisions an 800-mile pipeline from the North Slope to a Southcentral facility for domestic use and exports up to 20 million tonnes annually. In March 2025, Glenfarne Group assumed lead developer role, securing engineering partnerships and interest from over 50 global entities, including Japanese steel suppliers, with final investment decision targeted amid renewed federal support under the Trump administration. The administration hosted Clean Energy Week in September 2025 to promote LNG's role in global markets, aligning with Dunleavy's advocacy for resource extraction to counter declining oil production on the North Slope. On the Permanent Fund, Dunleavy has proposed dividends adhering to the original statutory formula, including $3,900 per eligible resident in his FY2025 and FY2026 budgets to distribute oil wealth directly while drawing from earnings reserves. Legislative adjustments reduced the 2025 PFD to $1,000, paid starting October 2, 2025, prompting Dunleavy's continued push for a to insulate payouts from political interference. Fiscal actions have included proposing budgets with projected deficits—$1.5 billion for FY2026—to accommodate PFDs and capital projects, followed by vetoes trimming spending; the signed FY2026 operating budget totaled $14.7 billion after $230 million in cuts. In August 2025, executive orders directed agencies to reduce non-essential expenditures and streamline regulations by 25%, aiming to address structural imbalances without tax increases. Dunleavy has pledged a comprehensive fiscal plan by term's end, critiquing legislative spending as unsustainable given Alaska's reliance on volatile petroleum revenues.

Education advancements

During his second term, Governor Dunleavy emphasized the ongoing implementation of the Alaska Reads Act, enacted in 2022, which mandates evidence-based reading instruction aligned with the science of reading for students in through . Early assessments in 2024 indicated improvements in early rates, with state data showing progress in foundational reading skills among young students, attributing these gains to targeted interventions such as phonics-based curricula and teacher training programs funded under the act. In June 2024, Dunleavy signed a state budget that included an approximately 11% increase in per-student , amounting to additional resources for transportation and core education allocations, marking a significant boost after years of stagnation in the base student allocation. This came amid legislative overrides of his vetoes on standalone increases, as Dunleavy conditioned broader support on accompanying reforms for and student outcomes rather than mere expenditure hikes. On January 31, 2025, Dunleavy introduced comprehensive legislation (House Bill 76 and Senate Bill 82), proposing $117 million in additional funding for the 2025-2026 school year and $181 million the following year, tied to policies enhancing authorization, performance incentives for districts meeting achievement benchmarks, and expanded educator flexibility. Although major reform components faced resistance in the August 2025 special —where lawmakers prioritized overriding vetoes to restore per-student funding cuts without policy strings—these efforts underscored Dunleavy's focus on causal links between structured reforms and measurable academic progress, contrasting with Alaska's persistent low national rankings despite high per-pupil spending.

Economic and energy priorities

During his second term, Mike Dunleavy has prioritized fiscal policies aimed at sustaining 's Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) payments while advocating for expanded resource extraction to generate amid projected deficits. In December 2024, Dunleavy proposed a 2026 (FY26) featuring a $1.5 billion operating deficit and a PFD of approximately $3,838 per eligible resident, emphasizing untapped , gas, and mineral resources as key to closing fiscal gaps without raising taxes. The proposal projects a cumulative $12 billion deficit by 2035 if resource development does not accelerate, reflecting Dunleavy's reliance on market-driven sector growth over increased state spending or new streams. In June 2024, Dunleavy signed the FY25 operating into law after vetoing over $230 million in expenditures, including reductions in legislative and judicial branches, to enforce spending restraint amid volatile oil prices. Earlier, the FY24 , released in 2022 to launch his second term, allocated full for public education, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and Power Cost Equalization while retiring millions in state debt, underscoring a strategy of balanced tied to resource revenues. On energy policy, Dunleavy established the Alaska Energy Security Task Force in February 2023 via Administrative Order 344 to develop a comprehensive statewide energy , focusing on reliability, affordability, and security through diversified sources including and renewables. In July 2024, he signed three energy-related bills, notably House Bill 50, which establishes a regulatory framework for utilizing 's geologic resources, such as carbon storage, to support development. Dunleavy has actively advanced the LNG project, partnering with Glenfarne Group, with expectations for a final decision by late 2025, potential pipeline construction starting in 2026, and exports by 2028–2029, attracting over 50 international partners amid global demand. Federally, Dunleavy submitted a transition report to President-elect Trump's team in December 2024, urging revocation of Biden-era environmental restrictions on lands to expedite oil, gas, and mining projects, including reopening the (ANWR) to leasing, which occurred in October 2025. These efforts align with Dunleavy's broader goal of positioning as a key player in North American , leveraging its vast reserves to drive economic growth and reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Recent fiscal and regulatory actions

In June 2024, Governor Dunleavy signed Alaska's 2025 budget, vetoing $105.7 million from the operating budget and $126.3 million from the capital budget to prioritize , , and public safety amid volatile revenues. These reductions targeted items such as Head Start programs, marketing, and rural broadband expansion, reflecting fiscal restraint in a state heavily dependent on production taxes. In 2025, Dunleavy continued this approach by signing the 2026 budget on June 12 at $14.7 billion after vetoing over $122 million, including partial cuts to per-student funding like $200 of a proposed $700 Base Student Allocation increase, due to a bleak revenue forecast from declining prices. He also vetoed a September bill for a to fund , rejecting new taxes without legislative agreement on a long-term fiscal plan, and cut $1.85 million in grants citing revenue shortfalls. In May, he enacted a statewide hiring freeze via administrative order to curb spending growth. The overrode two vetoes in August, restoring $50 million in funds. On the regulatory front, Dunleavy issued two administrative orders on August 4, 2025, directing agencies to cut regulatory requirements by 15% by December 2026 and 25% cumulatively by 2027, appoint regulatory liaisons, and streamline permitting to reduce delays. These measures, including public feedback mechanisms for reorganizing rules affecting professions, utilities, and elections, aim to enhance efficiency and economic competitiveness. Earlier, in May 2025, he paused new regulations alongside the hiring freeze to limit administrative expansion.

Political philosophy and positions

Economic and resource development

Mike Dunleavy's economic philosophy centers on leveraging Alaska's natural resources to drive growth, employment, and fiscal stability, viewing resource extraction as essential for the state's prosperity amid its remote location and limited diversification. He advocates reducing regulatory barriers to attract investment in oil, gas, mining, and other sectors, arguing that streamlined permitting and deregulation can unlock economic potential without compromising environmental standards enforced by state laws. A cornerstone of Dunleavy's positions is the protection of the Dividend (PFD), which distributes a portion of oil revenues directly to residents as a share of the state's resource wealth. He has proposed constitutional amendments to enshrine the PFD, removing legislative discretion to divert funds and ensuring annual payments to prevent government overreach. Dunleavy's budgets consistently include full statutory PFD amounts, around $3,000–$3,800 per eligible resident in recent proposals, criticizing past reductions as unauthorized encroachments on public entitlements. In energy policy, Dunleavy prioritizes independence through expanded domestic production, particularly via the Alaska LNG project, a proposed $44 billion pipeline from the North to export facilities in Nikiski. He promotes the initiative internationally, securing interest from Asian markets like for long-term contracts to enhance U.S. and reduce global emissions by displacing . Dunleavy supports federal actions reversing restrictions on drilling, such as in ANWR and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, and infrastructure like the Ambler Road for mining access, contending these developments generate revenue to offset deficits projected at $1.5 billion. Dunleavy also backs critical minerals and carbon frameworks to complement traditional industries, establishing offices and task forces for in supply diversity while emphasizing affordability. His administration highlights projects like and Pikka oil fields for job creation and state revenues, positioning resource development as a bulwark against economic volatility.

Permanent Fund Dividend protection

Governor Mike Dunleavy has advocated for the full statutory formula for Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), which calculates payments as 25% of the fund's net income divided by eligible residents, as a means to protect residents' shares from legislative reductions. Upon assuming office in 2019, Dunleavy prioritized restoring the full PFD amid prior partial payouts, such as the 2016 by former Bill Walker that halved the expected amount, leading to budget confrontations where he line-item ed over $600 million in spending to offset costs for a proposed $3,000 dividend before compromising on $1,606 per recipient. In 2021, Dunleavy vetoed all remaining PFD appropriations in the state budget, arguing that dividends must be funded through a dedicated special to adhere to the statutory process rather than ad hoc cuts, a move aimed at preventing further erosion of the formula amid fiscal pressures from low oil prices. Throughout his tenure, he has proposed budgets incorporating the complete statutory PFD, including $3,892 per eligible Alaskan in the 2026 plan, despite legislative overrides resulting in lower amounts like the $1,000 for 2025, which represented an inflation-adjusted low. To safeguard the PFD long-term, Dunleavy introduced "The Plan" in 2019, which seeks to restructure state finances by limiting growth to plus changes and constitutionally enshrine annual dividends, thereby insulating payouts from political decisions that have historically diverted funds to government operations. This approach aligns with his broader , emphasizing that unchecked spending, rather than resource revenues, threatens the program's sustainability, as evidenced by the fund's growth to over $80 billion by 2025 while dividends stagnated below statutory levels in multiple years.

Energy independence and LNG projects

Governor Mike Dunleavy has prioritized 's energy independence through the advancement of (LNG) projects, emphasizing the state's vast North Slope reserves estimated at over 35 trillion cubic feet. His administration views the LNG project—a proposed 800-mile from the North Slope to a Nikiski export terminal—as critical for exporting low-emissions to , enhancing U.S. and reducing global reliance on adversarial suppliers like . In July 2024, Dunleavy signed House Bill 50 into law, establishing a regulatory framework to expedite development of geologic resources, including carbon storage and , to support LNG infrastructure. He has actively promoted the $44 billion LNG initiative internationally, traveling to in March 2025 to secure a non-binding from state-owned for potential gas purchases. Further efforts in 2025 targeted Asian markets, including , yielding preliminary agreements and highlighting the project's potential to displace higher-emission fuels, with estimates of annual carbon emission reductions up to 77 million tons. Dunleavy's advocacy aligns with federal priorities under President Trump, who endorsed Alaska LNG as a top initiative for American energy dominance in May 2025, facilitating joint ventures such as with announced in July 2025. In March 2025, he issued a statement urging federal actions to unleash Alaska's energy potential, including permitting reforms. The project developer anticipates a final decision by late 2025 or early 2026, with potentially starting in 2026, promising billions in economic benefits and thousands of jobs for Alaskans.

Education policy

Governor Mike Dunleavy, a former educator with a degree, has prioritized education reforms aimed at improving student outcomes in 's public schools, which rank among the lowest nationally, including 51st in reading proficiency. His approach emphasizes evidence-based policies and accountability over unconditional funding increases, arguing that Alaska's traditional system fails too many students despite high per-pupil spending. In June 2022, Dunleavy signed the Reads Act into law, establishing a statewide framework to boost early through the Science of Reading methodology. The act mandates District Reading Improvement Plans for K-3 students using Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, provides voluntary departmental assistance for low-performing schools, offers resources for early programs, and creates a Virtual Learning Consortium for professional development. Implementation has yielded measurable gains, with state assessments showing improved reading proficiency among K-3 students by 2025, demonstrating the efficacy of targeted reforms coupled with funding. Dunleavy has advocated for expanded , including open enrollment across public schools and streamlined charter authorizations, as outlined in House Bill 76 and Senate Bill 82 introduced in 2025. These omnibus bills propose incentives such as Reading Proficiency Grants for K-6 students achieving benchmarks, teacher retention bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 annually, and policies like cell phone restrictions during instructional time, alongside increased for correspondence programs and career-technical . The package includes $117 million in additional education spending for fiscal year 2026 and $181 million for 2027, but ties increases to policy changes to empower parents and educators. To enforce reform priorities, Dunleavy vetoed House Bill 57 in May 2025, citing insufficient policy measures to justify the proposed per-student funding boost, and later line-item vetoed portions of appropriations, including a $200 reduction per student, which the legislature partially overrode in August 2025. He has also supported homeschool and correspondence allotments, upheld by the in June 2024, benefiting over 22,000 students. These actions reflect Dunleavy's stance that sustainable improvements require structural changes, including a pilot for tribal compacts via House Bill 59, rather than budget expansions alone.

Public safety and justice

Governor Dunleavy has prioritized public safety through increased funding for and legislative efforts to reverse prior reforms perceived as contributing to rising crime rates. Upon taking office in 2019, he signed crime-fighting legislation that addressed the surge in offenses following Senate Bill 91, a 2016 reform that reduced penalties for certain crimes and reformed and pretrial systems, leading to what administration officials described as a loss of public trust in the justice system. This approach emphasized tougher penalties and enhanced victim protections over expansive decriminalization measures. In July 2024, Dunleavy signed House Bill 66, a comprehensive omnibus crime bill that imposed harsher penalties for and trafficking, expanded protections for crime victims, and aimed to reduce through targeted programs. The legislation included provisions to strengthen sentences for violent offenses and drug distribution, responding to Alaska's elevated rates of substance-related crimes, while incorporating goals to address disproportionate incarceration among via rehabilitation-focused initiatives. Earlier, in July 2022, he enacted three bills modernizing public safety laws, including measures to bolster enforcement capabilities and community protections. Budgetary commitments under Dunleavy's administration have delivered the largest single increase to the in approximately 30 years, with an additional $36 million allocated in 2023 alone. From 2019 to 2024, public safety funding rose by $81 million, supporting 187 new positions, including recruitment and retention amid Alaska's vast rural areas and high per-capita challenges. In January 2025, his highlighted force expansion and a reported 37% reduction in certain metrics as evidence of progress. The People First Initiative, launched during his tenure, coordinates multi-agency responses to intersecting public safety issues such as and , with $7.3 million initially budgeted to support prevention and enforcement. These efforts reflect a focus on empirical outcomes, prioritizing frontline resources over prior reforms criticized for insufficient deterrence against repeat offenders.

Social and cultural issues

Dunleavy identifies as pro-life and has sought to promote policies aligned with that view, though Alaska's state constitution, which recognizes a fundamental right to reproductive choice since a ruling, has constrained legislative efforts to impose restrictions. During his 2018 campaign, he stated opposition to abortion even in cases of or . As governor, he issued a proclamation for Day on January 23, 2019, urging Alaskans to support pregnant women facing unexpected pregnancies through alternatives like and . Following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturning , Dunleavy welcomed the ruling for returning authority to states while acknowledging diverse views among Alaskans. In September 2024, he vetoed Senate Bill 74, which would have expanded access to over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription or age restrictions, arguing it exceeded necessary measures despite bipartisan legislative support.

Second Amendment advocacy

Dunleavy has consistently defended the right to bear arms, emphasizing Alaska's status as a Second Amendment sanctuary state under its constitution, which explicitly protects individual gun ownership. In June 2022, he praised the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen for striking down restrictive concealed-carry laws and affirming public carry rights. The National Rifle Association endorsed his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, citing his commitment to self-defense rights. In April 2021, he criticized federal actions under President Biden as infringing on law-abiding citizens without reducing crime. He signed House Bill 61 into law on July 29, 2023, prohibiting state or local governments from closing gun stores, shooting ranges, or ammunition sales during declared emergencies, except in narrow cases like active shooter incidents. This measure, passed with bipartisan support, prioritizes firearm access amid disasters, reflecting Alaska's high reliance on guns for subsistence hunting and personal security.

Immigration enforcement

Dunleavy has advocated for stricter federal immigration controls, viewing lax policies as threats to border security and state resources. In May 2022, Alaska's , under his administration, opposed a Biden-era interim final rule expanding asylum eligibility, arguing it would worsen security risks and illegal crossings. In January 2024, he joined 24 other Republican governors in a statement supporting Greg Abbott's border measures against federal inaction on migrant surges. His office has clarified no intent to develop state facilities for federal detainees, despite occasional housing of federal prisoners in Alaska jails for reimbursement. In June 2025, amid protests over 40 federal immigration detainees held in Anchorage, Dunleavy affirmed the state's cooperation with federal reimbursements but emphasized limited local involvement. These positions align with his broader emphasis on and public safety, including initiatives addressing and missing indigenous persons.

Abortion restrictions

Mike Dunleavy opposes abortion, including in cases of rape or incest, a position he articulated during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Upon taking office, he issued a proclamation designating January 22, 2019, as Right to Life Day in Alaska, commemorating the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and urging support for women facing unplanned pregnancies through alternatives like adoption and foster care. He repeated similar proclamations in 2022, emphasizing care for the unborn and families. In June 2022, following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision overturning , Dunleavy affirmed his pro-life views while acknowledging diverse Alaskan opinions, stating the ruling returned authority to states and people; he announced intent to introduce a legislative resolution for a on , though no such measure has been enacted. During his January 2023 State of the State address, he pledged to make "the most pro-life state in the entire country" via policies supporting mothers, infants, and families, including expanded and access. Dunleavy has pursued indirect measures aligned with pro-life priorities, such as vetoing $335,000 from the judiciary's 2020 budget, citing the state Supreme Court's prior invalidation of and waiting period requirements for abortions, as well as its endorsement of public funding for elective abortions despite legislative opposition. A later deemed these vetoes unconstitutional in October 2020, ruling they improperly conditioned funding on policy disagreements. He has not proposed or signed bills imposing new gestational limits or procedural restrictions, as law permits abortions throughout under constitutional protections affirmed by the state Supreme Court in , with existing limits only after 20 weeks for non-exceptional cases. In September 2024, Dunleavy vetoed Senate Bill 74, which would have mandated insurance coverage for up to a year of contraception, amid a judicial ruling invalidating 1989-era limits on non-physician providers. These actions reflect resistance to expansions in reproductive access but have not altered framework, where courts have consistently upheld broad rights.

Second Amendment advocacy

Dunleavy earned an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, based on his opposition to bans on commonly owned firearms and his commitment to defending individual gun ownership rights. The NRA endorsed him that year, citing his strong defense of Second Amendment freedoms as essential for Alaska's hunting and self-defense traditions. In 2022, the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) renewed its endorsement for his reelection, commending his record of challenging unconstitutional federal restrictions on firearms and protecting Alaskans' rights to bear arms. As governor, Dunleavy signed House Bill 129 into law on July 29, 2023, barring state and local officials from mandating the closure of or retailers during emergencies or disasters, thereby safeguarding access to firearms for lawful self-defense amid crises like the shutdowns. He has repeatedly affirmed 's status as a Second Amendment sanctuary state, emphasizing in April 2021 that the explicitly guarantees the individual right to keep and bear arms, and pledging resistance to Ninth Circuit rulings that undermine this protection. Dunleavy criticized President Biden's April 2021 executive actions on ghost guns and pistol braces as ineffective against criminals while infringing on law-abiding citizens' rights, reiterating Alaska's sanctuary commitment. He welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which invalidated New York's restrictive concealed-carry permitting regime and affirmed the constitutional right to bear arms for outside the home. In March 2024, he advocated challenging ' assault weapons restrictions in court, arguing such efforts preserve Second Amendment protections for Alaskans facing similar federal threats. While supporting the Second Amendment broadly, Dunleavy has indicated openness to temporary firearm removals for individuals posing imminent danger, provided is followed.

Immigration enforcement

Governor Mike Dunleavy has consistently supported enhanced federal immigration enforcement, framing lax border policies as threats that exacerbate illegal entries and strain resources across states. In a February 2019 video statement, he described the U.S. southern border situation as a requiring immediate action to protect and public safety. He opposed the Biden administration's 2022 termination of Title 42 expulsions, arguing in a that the policy reversal would flood communities with unvetted migrants, increase crime, and overwhelm public services without congressional approval. Dunleavy has aligned Alaska with multistate efforts led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to challenge federal inaction. In January 2024, he joined 24 other Republican governors in a statement backing Texas' installation of razor wire barriers and defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling favoring Border Patrol access, asserting that the Biden administration's interference enabled an "invasion" by prioritizing illegal crossers over state authority. Earlier that month, he endorsed Abbott's border security measures amid record migrant encounters exceeding 2 million annually, criticizing federal cuts to Texas' barriers as complicity in unchecked flows. In February 2024, Dunleavy expressed willingness to deploy up to 100 members to ' border operations under , estimating costs at $1 million monthly, though logistical and budgetary constraints prevented follow-through; he emphasized 's support for self-reliant states countering federal neglect. Under his administration, 's opposed the 2022 Asylum Interim Final Rule, contending it incentivized frivolous claims and heightened border vulnerabilities by suspending credible fear interviews for certain expedited removals. On state-level cooperation, Alaska facilities have housed federal detainees amid national crackdowns. In June 2025, the Anchorage Correctional Complex held 42 men arrested by outside —primarily for immigration violations—under a reimbursable contract, with Dunleavy confirming the arrangement complied with state law and refuted expansion plans like a proposed "Bear Alcatraz" detention center. While critics, including the ACLU of Alaska, decried such multistate support as endorsing "cruelty," Dunleavy's positions prioritize enforcement to deter illegal activity and uphold legal pathways.

Environmental and regulatory stance

Governor Mike Dunleavy has pursued policies emphasizing resource development over stringent environmental regulations, arguing that such an approach supports Alaska's economy while enabling responsible stewardship of natural assets. In August 2025, he issued Administrative Order 360, directing state agencies to reduce regulatory requirements by 15 percent by December 31, 2026, and an additional 10 percent (cumulative 25 percent) by December 31, 2027, as part of a broader initiative to streamline permitting, eliminate redundant rules, and incorporate automatic approvals for delayed agency responses. This order replaces prior regulatory frameworks and targets barriers to industries like and , with Dunleavy stating it would enhance government efficiency without compromising public safety. On federal environmental restrictions, Dunleavy has consistently opposed measures limiting oil and gas extraction, particularly in the (ANWR). Following the Biden administration's 2021 decision to halt leasing in ANWR, he criticized it as an invalid federal overreach on valid state leases and urged President-elect in December 2024 to swiftly revoke such policies via to enable . He applauded Trump's January 2025 executive actions reversing Biden-era limits on resource development, including expanded , mining, and logging, describing them as historic for boosting 's energy security and revenue. Dunleavy has framed ANWR development as essential for putting more oil into pipelines and supporting Alaskan jobs, countering environmental critiques by emphasizing economic imperatives over preservationist concerns. Dunleavy's stance extends to mining projects like , a proposed copper-gold deposit in , which he has backed against federal opposition. He has lobbied for streamlined permitting to advance the project, criticizing the EPA's 2023 Clean Water Act veto as an obstacle to domestic mineral production, and supported state lawsuits claiming billions in lost economic value from the blockage. Environmental groups have accused him of prioritizing industry interests, particularly after his administration's early alignment with Pebble proponents, though Dunleavy maintains that updated federal processes are needed for critical minerals without undue regulatory hurdles. Early in his tenure, Dunleavy's administration removed a state Department of Environmental Conservation report on climate change impacts from its website in December 2018, one day after he assumed office, signaling a shift away from emphasizing anthropogenic climate risks in policy. He has promoted natural gas development as a cleaner alternative, issuing Administrative Order 238 to advance projects for low-carbon fuel exports and national . Critics from environmental advocacy groups, such as those opposing regulatory rollbacks amid budget pressures, contend these moves favor short-term extraction over long-term ecological , though Dunleavy counters that reduced regulations prevent in a resource-dependent state.

Controversies and opposition

Recall attempt and political resistance

A recall campaign against Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy was launched in September 2019 by the Recall Dunleavy committee, citing allegations of lack of fitness, incompetence, and neglect of duty stemming from his June 2019 veto of roughly $650 million in state spending, including reductions to K-12 funding by $140 million and services. The effort drew support from educators, healthcare advocates, and labor unions opposed to Dunleavy's fiscal measures, which aimed to address Alaska's structural budget deficit amid declining oil revenues. To advance the petition, the committee submitted 49,006 signatures—exceeding the required 28,501 from registered voters—to the Division of Elections in 2019, securing official petition booklets for broader circulation. The state challenged the application's legal sufficiency, arguing the cited grounds did not meet 's constitutional thresholds for , but Judge Eric Aarseth rejected the block in January 2020, and the affirmed in July 2021 that the campaign could proceed on the submitted allegations. Despite collecting 62,373 verified signatures by mid-2021, the drive fell short of the approximately 71,000 needed to trigger a special election, as determined by 25% of the prior gubernatorial vote total. On August 25, 2021, committee chair Meda DeWitt announced the effort's termination, attributing the decision to Dunleavy's announcement of re-election candidacy and the redirection of resources toward the contest, where opponents could challenge him at the . The reflected broader political resistance to Dunleavy's administration from a bipartisan legislative and progressive activists, who criticized his as undermining without sufficient public input or alternative revenue strategies beyond oil dependency. Dunleavy and his defenders, including Republican allies, countered that the cuts were essential for long-term fiscal sustainability, pointing to Alaska's $12 billion unfunded liabilities and overrides by the as evidence of legislative overreach rather than gubernatorial malfeasance. The failed underscored limited momentum for removal, with opposition concentrated among urban and public-sector interests amid rural support for Dunleavy's emphasis on Permanent Fund Dividend protections and reduced .

Budget vetoes and legislative overrides

In June 2019, shortly after taking office, Dunleavy exercised his authority to eliminate approximately $444 million from the state's operating , including significant cuts to such as $48.9 million from subsidies for school bond debt service and reductions to university funding and services. These vetoes aligned with Dunleavy's campaign promises for fiscal restraint amid declining oil revenues, aiming to reduce government spending by about 7% overall, though the Alaska Legislature did not attempt or succeed in overriding them due to the required three-fourths threshold of 45 votes in the 60-member body. Dunleavy continued this approach in subsequent years, frequently conditioning education funding increases on policy reforms such as expanded and performance-based teacher evaluations. In April and May 2025, he vetoed House Bills 69 and 57, which proposed hundreds of millions in additional education spending without accompanying reforms, arguing that mere increases in the Base Student Allocation (BSA) would not improve outcomes without structural changes. For the 2026 budget signed on June 12, 2025, Dunleavy vetoed portions totaling millions in reductions, with the heaviest impact on : he eliminated $200 from a legislatively approved $700 per-student BSA increase, effectively cutting over $50 million from public school funding amid a projected decline in state revenues from oil production. The overall post-veto budget stood at $14.7 billion, reflecting Dunleavy's emphasis on aligning expenditures with volatile resource income rather than expanding permanent fund draws. On August 2, 2025, during a special legislative session, the Alaska Legislature successfully overrode Dunleavy's education in a 45-14 joint vote—the minimum required for success—restoring the full $50.6 million and averting a 5.6% year-over-year funding cut to districts, which supporters framed as essential for maintaining teacher positions and services. The same session saw lawmakers override a separate of a bill enhancing legislative oversight of oil tax expenditures, marking rare bipartisan pushback against Dunleavy's fiscal vetoes, though he maintained that such overrides risked long-term budgetary sustainability without reforms.

Handling of state investments and appointees

During his tenure, Governor Mike Dunleavy's administration initiated multiple reviews of the Corporation (APFC), which manages the state's $88 billion Permanent Fund as of 2025, amid concerns over investment decisions and governance. In September 2024, Dunleavy hired the international law firm WilmerHale to examine APFC's leadership structure and conflict-of-interest policies, leading to a March 2025 governance study recommending enhanced oversight and restrictions on board members' external business activities to mitigate risks of . A key controversy arose in October 2025 involving APFC Board Chair Ella Crum, a Dunleavy appointee, who defended a $250 million investment in a private equity fund linked to DigitalBridge Group, a firm with which she had prior professional ties; critics alleged potential conflicts, as Crum had explored launching a competing investment vehicle while in her role, prompting Dunleavy to contract WilmerHale again for an independent probe into whether procedural lapses occurred. The review, set to conclude by December 2024 but extended, examined compliance with fiduciary duties, though Crum maintained the deal adhered to APFC protocols and benefited the fund's diversification strategy. Dunleavy's appointees to state boards and commissions have frequently encountered legislative opposition, with the Alaska Legislature rejecting or blocking several nominees on grounds of ethics concerns or ideological misalignment. In May 2024, the Legislature rejected Bob Griffin from the state Board of Education and Early Development due to alleged ethics violations stemming from undisclosed conflicts during his prior service. Similarly, in May 2025, unanimous votes blocked nominees to the State Medical Board and a teacher oversight commission, cited for "particularly disqualifying views" on professional standards, while a narrow majority halted another pick. Appointments to the Alaska Judicial Council, which nominates judicial candidates, drew lawsuits alleging constitutional violations; in July 2025, Alaskans for Fair Courts sued over Dunleavy's selection of Willow consultant Jennifer McConaha, claiming it bypassed statutory requirements for public members with legal expertise, as the Legislature had not confirmed her amid disputes over gubernatorial authority. The Alaska Legislature separately filed suit in October 2025 challenging Dunleavy's broader use of appointment powers, arguing it exceeded executive limits under the state constitution. Dunleavy defended such selections as fulfilling his duty to appoint qualified individuals aligned with Alaska's conservative values, amid ongoing tensions with a Legislature often viewing his choices as ideologically extreme.

Legacy and public perception

Approval ratings and electoral success

Mike Dunleavy was elected of in the 2018 general election, securing 51.5% of the vote (145,631 votes) against Democrat Mark Begich's 44.5% (125,739 votes) and incumbent independent Bill Walker's 2.0% (5,757 votes). This victory flipped the governorship from independent to Republican control following Walker's withdrawal from the race two weeks prior to . In the 2022 general election, Dunleavy won re-election outright with 50.3% of the vote, defeating Democrat Les Gara (41.1%), independent Bill Walker (6.6%), and Republican Charlie Pierce (1.2%). This result marked the first time since 1998 that an secured two consecutive terms, achieved under the state's top-four primary and ranked-choice voting system, where Dunleavy led after the first round and maintained his margin through redistributions. Dunleavy is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term in 2026. Dunleavy's approval ratings have varied across polls. A 2023 Morning Consult survey placed his job approval at 63%, ranking him fifth among U.S. governors. By July 2024, Morning Consult reported 55.2% approval and 35.8% disapproval, yielding a net positive of 19.4 points. More recent 2025 polling showed a decline: a March survey indicated 45.1% approval against 46.3% disapproval, while an August poll from Alaska Current found 42% approval and 46% disapproval, resulting in a net negative of 4 points. These fluctuations coincide with policy debates over budgets, education funding, and resource development, though Dunleavy retains strong support among Republican voters.
Election YearCandidatePartyVote PercentageOutcome
2018 GeneralMike DunleavyRepublican51.5%Won
2018 GeneralMark BegichDemocrat44.5%Lost
2022 GeneralMike DunleavyRepublican50.3%Won
2022 GeneralLes GaraDemocrat41.1%Lost

Achievements versus critiques

Governor Mike Dunleavy's tenure has featured notable achievements in , including the signing of the Alaska Reads Act on June 10, 2022, which mandates science-of-reading-based instruction for early literacy and provides teacher training and assessments to address reading deficiencies. This initiative correlated with statewide improvements in K-3 reading proficiency, rising from 2023 to 2024 and again in the 2024-2025 school year, as reported by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. On fiscal matters, Dunleavy has emphasized restraint amid volatile revenues, vetoing $122 million from the FY2026 operating signed June 12, 2025, to align expenditures with a reduced forecast projected at $3.6 billion in unrestricted general funds. His budgets have prioritized full statutory Permanent Fund Dividends, distributing $1,702 per eligible Alaskan in FY2025, while directing savings toward public safety and . Supporters credit these policies with stabilizing state finances post-COVID, alongside regulatory reductions via in 2025 aimed at spurring economic activity in resource sectors. In his January 28, 2025, , Dunleavy highlighted gains in employment and production as evidence of progress in resource-driven growth. Critiques center on Dunleavy's vetoes of allocations, such as slashing $200 million from a $700 million Base Student Allocation increase in the FY2026 budget and vetoing a bill on September 29, 2025, intended to fund school programs despite his support for the Reads Act. The Alaska Legislature overrode two such vetoes on August 2, 2025, restoring $50 million in school funding, with opponents arguing the cuts exacerbate teacher shortages and rural disparities even as overall K-12 funding rose over $1.5 billion since 2019. Opponents have also faulted executive actions, including 12 orders issued January 2024 that abolished regulatory boards and centralized , prompting concerns over diminished oversight and potential conflicts in licensing. A May 30, 2023, by pro-family adviser Jeremy Cubas followed revelations of his prior defenses of controversial figures and use of slurs, drawing to Dunleavy's processes. Critics in outlets like the Alaska Beacon portray these as patterns of prioritizing ideology over pragmatic governance, though Dunleavy maintains such measures enhance efficiency amid fiscal pressures from declining oil dependency.

Electoral history

Dunleavy was elected to the Alaska State Senate from District M in the 2012 Republican primary, receiving 10,640 votes (62.4 percent) against John Harris's 6,410 votes (37.6 percent). In the general election, he received 13,904 votes (97.7 percent) against write-in candidates.
PartyCandidateVotesPercentage
Republican primaryMike Dunleavy10,64062.4%
Republican primaryJohn Harris ()6,41037.6%
PartyCandidateVotesPercentage
RepublicanMike Dunleavy13,90497.7%
Write-inVarious3262.3%
He was reelected to the same in 2016, receiving 15,391 votes (75.2 percent) against Libertarian John 's 5,072 votes (24.8 percent).
PartyCandidateVotesPercentage
RepublicanMike Dunleavy (incumbent)15,39175.2%
LibertarianJohn 5,07224.8%
In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Dunleavy received 62,062 votes (44.4 percent), advancing ahead of former Governor Bill Walker (28.0 percent), former Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell (18.1 percent), and others. He won the general election with his running mate, Kevin Meyer, receiving 145,631 votes (51.4 percent) against Democrat (44.4 percent), independent Bill Walker (2.0 percent), and Libertarian William Toien (2.1 percent).
PartyCandidateVotesPercentage
RepublicanMike Dunleavy62,06244.4%
RepublicanBill Walker39,09428.0%
RepublicanMead Treadwell25,31018.1%
RepublicanJay Armstrong5,6664.1%
RepublicanScott Kawasaki2,5711.8%
RepublicanGerald Heikes1,4201.0%
RepublicanOthers4,0902.9%
PartyCandidate (running mate)VotesPercentage
RepublicanMike Dunleavy (Kevin Meyer)145,63151.4%
Democratic (Debra Call)125,73944.4%
IndependentBill Walker (Joe Gross)5,7572.0%
LibertarianWilliam Toien (Althea Blades)6,0222.1%
In the 2022 nonpartisan gubernatorial primary, Dunleavy received 91,919 votes (40.1 percent), advancing with Republican Charlie Pierce, independent Bill Walker, and Democrat Les Gara to the general election under Alaska's top-four system. With running mate Nancy Dahlstrom, he won the general election outright in the first round of ranked-choice tabulation, receiving 155,234 votes (50.3 percent) against Gara (24.5 percent), Walker (11.2 percent), and Pierce (10.0 percent).
PartyCandidateVotesPercentage
Nonpartisan primaryMike Dunleavy91,91940.1%
Nonpartisan primaryCharlie Pierce53,15223.2%
Nonpartisan primaryBill Walker32,93614.4%
Nonpartisan primaryLes Gara28,36512.4%
Nonpartisan primaryOthers~24,000~10% combined
PartyCandidate (running mate)VotesPercentage
RepublicanMike Dunleavy ()155,23450.3%
DemocraticLes Gara (Jessica Cook)75,53824.5%
IndependentBill Walker (Scott Slabaugh)34,66011.2%
Republican ()30,72210.0%
John Zellers (Shirin Kawas)8,1182.6%
IndependentCarolyn Clift Pruhs (Sharon Stevens)3,9281.3%

References

  1. https://westgov.org/about/our-governors-bio/mike-dunleavy
  2. https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Dunleavy
  3. https://gov.alaska.gov/meet-mike-dunleavy/
  4. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/mike-dunleavy-becomes-1st-alaska-governor-reelected-since-1998
  5. https://akleg.gov/100years/bio.php?id=1569
  6. https://gov.alaska.gov/home/year1/
  7. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2025-01-28/gov-dunleavy-offers-optimism-in-seventh-annual-state-of-the-state-address
  8. https://apnews.com/general-news-46178e236e9649fa97d8fef8d12b09e9
  9. https://www.standardspeaker.com/2018/11/08/scranton-native-paves-unique-path-to-become-alaskas-new-governor/
  10. https://gov.alaska.gov/meet-the-first-lady/
  11. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Member/Detail/28?code=DNL
  12. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/alaska-gov-a-career-educator-proposes-slash-and-burn-k-12-budget/2019/03
  13. https://www.ktoo.org/elections/alaska-2018/candidate/mike-dunleavy/
  14. https://www.dermotcole.com/reportingfromalaska/2019/7/31/outcomes
  15. https://www.anchoragepress.com/news/why-did-dunleavy-quit-as-northwest-arctic-s-schools-chief/article_000863a2-de01-11e8-8bbf-ef352b16e1c7.html
  16. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/7/18055506/midterm-election-results-alaska-governor-mike-dunleavy-winner
  17. https://www.adn.com/politics/2018/10/22/gops-dunleavy-campaigns-as-a-budget-hawk-and-tough-on-crime/
  18. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/30?Root=SB%2027
  19. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/30?Root=SB%2084
  20. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2019/05/17/as-special-session-begins-alaska-lawmakers-reach-deal-to-repeal-and-replace-sb-91/
  21. https://mustreadalaska.com/get-mike-dunleavy-power-to-the-people/
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/alaska-governor-primary-election
  23. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/18PRIM/data/results.htm
  24. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2018-08-22/by-substantial-margin-mike-dunleavy-claims-victory-in-republican-primary-for-governor
  25. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/19/alaska-governor-bill-walker-suspended-2103768
  26. https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_gubernatorial_and_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election%2C_2018
  27. https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=2&year=2018&f=0&off=5&elect=0
  28. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/18GENR/data/results18.htm
  29. https://www.politico.com/election-results/2018/alaska/governor
  30. https://www.cnn.com/election/2022/results/alaska/primaries/governor
  31. https://www.ktoo.org/2022/08/16/alaska-primary-election-results/
  32. https://www.adn.com/politics/2022/09/06/complaint-alleges-dunleavy-campaign-engaged-in-scheme-to-use-public-funds/
  33. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2022-11-23/alaska-governor-election-dunleavy
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-alaska-governor.html
  35. https://www.politico.com/2022-election/results/alaska/statewide-offices/
  36. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-signs-crime-fighting-legislation-into-law/
  37. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2019/07/09/gov-dunleavy-signs-legislation-to-repeal-replace-the-crime-reform-measure-sb-91/
  38. https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/handle/11122/10579
  39. https://www.cbpp.org/blog/budget-vetoes-will-increase-poverty-hardship-for-low-income-alaskans
  40. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2019/08/13/gov-dunleavy-reveals-new-state-funding-plan-for-university-of-alaska-a-70m-cut-over-three-years/
  41. https://gov.alaska.gov/home/covid19-healthmandates/
  42. https://gov.alaska.gov/home/covid-19-economic-plan/
  43. https://www.ktoo.org/2020/11/06/watch-gov-dunleavy-and-public-health-officials-to-give-covid-19-response-update/
  44. https://akfireinfo.com/2020/05/11/governor-dunleavy-urges-alaskans-to-prepare-for-prevent-wildfires/
  45. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-signs-disaster-relief-bill-into-law/
  46. https://gov.alaska.gov/moving-alaska-forward-dunleavy-administration-releases-fy24-budget/
  47. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2019/06/28/gov-mike-dunleavy-vetoes-444-million-from-alaska-state-operating-budget/
  48. https://www.ktoo.org/2019/06/28/it-wont-be-easy-universities-medicaid-hit-hard-as-dunleavy-vetoes-nearly-400-million-from-budget/
  49. https://gov.alaska.gov/this-is-the-year-to-save-the-pfd/
  50. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2019-12-11/in-new-budget-alaska-gov-dunleavy-proposes-big-pfds-and-sharp-reductions-but-less-than-last-years
  51. https://gov.alaska.gov/2022-permanent-fund-dividend-hits-a-record-3284-00/
  52. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-delivers-message-about-fiscal-responsibility-and-a-path-forward-to-lawmakers/
  53. https://www.juneauempire.com/opinion/opinion-on-fiscal-policy-dunleavy-is-a-governor-in-name-only/
  54. https://twitter.com/GovDunleavy/status/1334304867540631552
  55. https://x.com/GovDunleavy/status/1940888530433331401
  56. https://akfireinfo.com/2025/04/30/alaskans-are-you-ready-wildfire-prevention-week-kicks-off-may-3/
  57. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-concludes-trips-to-regions-affected-by-the-september-2022-western-alaska-storm/
  58. https://www.ktoo.org/2022/09/18/western-alaska-storm-state-takes-stock-damage/
  59. https://ready.alaska.gov/PublicInformation
  60. https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaDOTPF/posts/west-coast-storm-alaska-governor-dunleavy-has-declared-a-disaster-for-the-2025-w/1256065283230780/
  61. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2025/10/17/dunleavy-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-after-western-alaska-storm/
  62. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-amends-disaster-declaration-to-support-west-coast-storm-recovery/
  63. https://gov.alaska.gov/trump-administration-approves-disaster-declaration-for-west-coast-storm/
  64. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/10/22/house-speaker-governor-mike-dunleavy-dc-amid-pending-presidential-disaster-declaration/
  65. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Journal/Pages/31?Chamber=H&Bill=HB%252049&Page=00167
  66. https://www.juneauempire.com/news/heres-a-look-at-what-dunleavys-four-new-crime-bills-would-do/
  67. https://ambailcoalition.org/alaska-catch-and-release-bail-reform-plan-crafted-by-texas-bail-reform-guru-rolled-back-by-governor-backed-legislation/
  68. https://theappeal.org/alaska-passed-sweeping-criminal-justice-reforms-its-new-governor-just-unraveled-them/
  69. https://knom.org/2019/12/18/dunleavys-budget-proposal-funds-more-state-troopers-some-in-western-alaska/
  70. https://gov.alaska.gov/governors-budget-gives-single-largest-increase-to-public-safety-in-some-30-years/
  71. https://gov.alaska.gov/people-first-initiative-launches-addressing-safety-and-prevention/
  72. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavys-budget-amendments-highlight-public-safety-and-child-welfare/
  73. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-responds-to-decrease-in-crime-rate-in-2020-crime-in-alaska-report/
  74. https://www.ajc.state.ak.us/datacommission/docs/reports/DAC_2024_Annual_Report.pdf
  75. https://gov.alaska.gov/
  76. https://gov.alaska.gov/home/the-plan/
  77. https://gov.alaska.gov/education-reform/
  78. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/education/2025/04/17/gov-dunleavy-vetoes-school-funding-boost/
  79. https://www.ktoo.org/2025/05/20/alaska-legislators-override-dunleavys-veto-of-education-bill/
  80. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/2025-01-31/dunleavy-outlines-omnibus-education-bill-setting-stage-for-negotiations-with-lawmakers-on-school-funding
  81. https://glenfarneenergytransition.com/news/press-release-details/2025/-Glenfarne-becomes-lead-developer-for-the-ALASKA-LNG-PROJECT/default.aspx
  82. https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/03/alaska-gov-dunleavy-japanese-steel-being-considered-for-massive-alaska-lng-project-00227328
  83. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-clean-energy-week-4/
  84. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2023-12-14/gov-dunleavys-budget-includes-large-pfds-but-no-increase-to-per-student-education-funding
  85. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2024-12-12/dunleavy-introduces-first-draft-budget-with-1-5-billion-deficit-and-more-than-3800-pfd
  86. https://www.ktoo.org/2025/09/19/the-2025-alaska-permanent-fund-dividend-will-be-1000/
  87. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/06/28/gov-dunleavy-signs-budget-vetoes-more-than-230-million-in-spending/
  88. https://www.adn.com/politics/2025/08/05/gov-dunleavy-orders-reductions-in-state-spending-and-regulations/
  89. https://www.dermotcole.com/reportingfromalaska/2025/5/21/fiscals
  90. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-realizes-boost-in-early-literacy-following-alaska-reads-act-implementation/
  91. https://gov.alaska.gov/were-not-going-to-stop-pushing-for-better-alaska-student-outcomes/
  92. https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/news/dunleavy-signs-budget-with-most-education-funding-intact/
  93. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-introduces-education-reform-legislation/
  94. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2025-08-02/alaska-lawmakers-override-dunleavys-education-funding-veto
  95. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-legislature-deprives-alaskan-students-of-better-educational-opportunities/
  96. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/12/12/alaska-gov-dunleavy-proposes-budget-with-1-5-billion-deficit-points-to-resources-for-revenue/
  97. https://www.adn.com/politics/2024/12/12/dunleavy-proposes-budget-with-15-billion-deficit-projecting-12-billion-deficit-by-2035/
  98. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-creates-alaska-energy-security-task-force-to-create-comprehensive-statewide-energy-plan/
  99. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-mike-dunleavy-signs-alaska-energy-bills/
  100. https://www.eenews.net/articles/3-questions-answered-about-alaska-lng/
  101. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/10/15/alaska-lng-pipeline-company-expected-hit-2026-construction-target/
  102. https://gov.alaska.gov/dunleavy-administration-submits-transition-report-to-trump-transition-hq/
  103. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/12/18/dunleavy-wants-quick-action-by-trump-to-revoke-bidens-alaska-environmental-policies/
  104. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/us-reopens-alaska-wildlife-refuge-oil-gas-development-2025-10-23/
  105. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZKmrFwlND8
  106. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-signs-fiscal-year-2025-budget-prioritizing-education-energy-and-public-safety-for-alaskans/
  107. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2024-06-28/gov-dunleavy-trims-225-million-with-budget-vetoes-but-leaves-school-funding-boost-intact
  108. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-signs-fy2026-budget-vetoes-reflect-reduced-revenue-outlook/
  109. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/06/12/amid-bleak-state-revenue-forecast-alaska-gov-dunleavy-vetoes-millions-in-education-funding/
  110. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/09/29/alaska-gov-dunleavy-vetoes-corporate-tax-bill-intended-to-fund-public-education-programs/
  111. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/09/gov-dunleavy-veto-of-increase-for-alaska-child-care-and-infant-learning-funding-draws-concerns/
  112. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2025/05/09/gov-mike-dunleavy-opposes-tax-bills-and-urges-creation-of-joint-fiscal-plan-group-after-session-ends/
  113. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2025/08/02/alaska-legislature-briefly-delays-joint-session-amid-plans-to-vote-on-overriding-governors-vetoes/
  114. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-issues-two-administrative-orders-to-improve-government-efficiency-and-regulatory-reform/
  115. https://gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-360/
  116. https://www.chilkatvalleynews.com/2025/10/20/dunleavy-drive-to-reduce-regulation-could-reshape-many-parts-of-life-in-alaska/
  117. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/30/will-dunleavys-freeze-on-new-regulations-affect-paid-sick-leave-for-alaskans/
  118. https://gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-248/
  119. https://alec.org/article/alaska-shedding-regulatory-burdens/
  120. https://naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=418394
  121. https://gov.alaska.gov/home/pfd/
  122. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-highlights-competitive-strength-of-ak-lng-in-report/
  123. https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/trump-lng-pipeline-mike-dunleavy-alaska-governor-32858e9d
  124. https://gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-340/
  125. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-applauds-investment-decision-on-pikka-field/
  126. https://www.ktoo.org/2019/08/19/watch-dunleavy-to-announce-decisions-on-pfd-budget-vetoes/
  127. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/09/25/pfd-restoration-initiative-gains-thousands-support/
  128. https://alaskapublic.org/top-stories/2021-07-01/dunleavy-vetoes-pfd-funding-from-state-budget-says-dividends-must-be-funded-in-special-session
  129. https://gov.alaska.gov/fy26-governors-proposed-budget/
  130. https://alaskapublic.org/news/economy/2025-09-19/the-2025-alaska-permanent-fund-dividend-will-be-1-000
  131. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-pfd-applicants/
  132. https://gov.alaska.gov/how-alaskan-energy-can-power-the-u-s-japan-relationship/
  133. https://www.ktoo.org/2025/03/27/state-lng-project-gets-non-binding-support-letter-from-taiwan/
  134. https://nationalcleanenergyweek.org/alaska-gov-recognizes-clean-energy-week-2024/
  135. https://www.facebook.com/GovDunleavy/posts/the-level-of-global-interest-in-the-alaska-lng-project-continues-to-growglenfarn/1359285638896172/
  136. https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-touts-alaska-lng-as-a-top-priority-of-new-administration
  137. https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/president-trump-announces-joint-venture-on-alaska-lng-project-with-japan
  138. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-issues-statement-on-steps-to-unleash-alaskas-energy-potential/
  139. https://www.akbizmag.com/industry/oil-gas/lnginout/
  140. https://education.alaska.gov/akreads
  141. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/17/alaska-k-3-students-improve-in-reading-state-assessment-shows/
  142. https://www.facebook.com/GovDunleavy/posts/today-i-vetoed-the-education-funding-bill-hb-57-because-it-lacked-sufficient-edu/1264610795030324/
  143. https://law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2024/062824-CorrespondenceStudy.html
  144. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-mike-dunleavy-signs-landmark-omnibus-bill-to-combat-crime-and-protect-crime-victims/
  145. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/07/11/goals-for-new-alaska-crime-law-range-from-harsher-penalties-for-drug-dealers-to-reducing-recidivism/
  146. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-signs-three-bills-modernizing-and-increasing-alaska-public-safety-laws/
  147. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-signs-fy24-state-budget-prioritizing-public-safety-education-and-economic-development/
  148. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/01/29/education-public-safety-pfd-likely-be-addressed-dunleavys-state-state-address/
  149. https://reproductiverights.org/maps/state/alaska/
  150. https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/02/15/while-governor-aims-for-a-pro-life-state-abortion-rights-appear-entrenched-in-alaska/
  151. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-commemorates-right-to-life-day/
  152. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-reacts-to-the-u-s-supreme-court-decision-overturning-roe-v-wade/
  153. https://apnews.com/article/abortion-birth-control-dunleavy-alaska-303337cd7ebe6c4793afc24d3f56f1b4
  154. https://www.newsweek.com/governor-dunleavy-alaska-stops-birth-control-policy-senate-1949155
  155. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-upholds-second-amendment-right-to-bear-arms/
  156. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-applauds-todays-supreme-court-decision-protecting-second-amendment-rights/
  157. https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20181101/nra-endorses-mike-dunleavy-for-governor-of-alaska
  158. https://twitter.com/GovDunleavy/status/1380252138102644738
  159. https://mustreadalaska.com/speaker-cathy-tiltons-bill-signed-by-dunleavy-alaska-governments-cant-shut-down-gun-stores-during-declared-emergencies/
  160. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/05/19/legislature-passes-bill-that-protects-gun-shops-under-emergency-declaration/
  161. https://www.law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2022/050622-IFR.html
  162. https://mustreadalaska.com/dunleavy-signs-statement-of-support-for-gov-abbott-regarding-untenable-texas-border-crisis/
  163. https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-gov-dunleavys-office-says-state-has-no-plans-to-build-bear-alcatraz-to-jail-ice-detainees/
  164. https://www.youralaskalink.com/news/local/governor-dunleavy-responds-as-40-detainees-held-community-voices-concern/article_1caa9f18-ac0d-41d5-b047-2dc652529f23.html
  165. https://gov.alaska.gov/right-to-life-day-3/
  166. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gov-dunleavy-wants-make-ak-most-pro-life-state-us
  167. https://www.adn.com/politics/2019/06/30/dunleavy-vetoes-335000-from-alaska-judiciary-budget-over-courts-abortion-decisions/
  168. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2020-10-16/dunleavys-court-system-vetoes-because-of-abortion-funding-were-illegal-judge-says
  169. https://aul.org/law-and-policy/state-spotlight/alaska/
  170. https://www.rga.org/citing-strong-defense-second-amendment-freedoms-nra-endorses-mike-dunleavy-alaska-governor/
  171. https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20220719/nra-pvf-endorses-gov-dunleavy-in-alaska-primary
  172. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/second-amendment-advocates-celebrate-alaska-gov-dunleavy-signing-gun-store-law-protective-shield
  173. https://x.com/GovDunleavy/status/1770238865061924896
  174. https://guides.vote/guide/2022-alaska-governor-race-voters-guide
  175. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-releases-video-statement-on-us-southern-border-crisis/
  176. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-opposes-termination-of-title-42-by-the-cdc/
  177. https://alaskawatchman.com/2024/01/26/dunleavy-joins-24-governors-in-support-of-texas-border-security-standoff-with-biden-admin/
  178. https://www.adn.com/politics/2024/01/26/dunleavy-backs-texas-decision-to-ignore-us-supreme-courts-border-ruling/
  179. https://www.newsweek.com/alaska-governor-send-troops-texas-border-mike-dunleavy-1868169
  180. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2024-02-08/alaska-governor-says-hed-like-to-send-troops-south-to-aid-texas-but-cost-is-a-hurdle
  181. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/06/11/gov-dunleavy-addresses-ice-detainees-held-alaska/
  182. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/06/11/alaska-detained-42-men-arrested-by-ice-and-flown-in-from-out-of-state-amid-federal-crackdown/
  183. https://www.acluak.org/en/news/not-our-names-aclu-alaska-joint-statement-against-texas-cruelty-border
  184. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-issues-statement-on-biden-administrations-action-to-stop-developing-anwr/
  185. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/01/22/gov-dunleavy-and-administration-officials-applaud-trumps-alaska-policies/
  186. https://resourceworld.com/alaska-governor-backs-northern-dynastys-pebble-project/
  187. https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/03/16/state-lawsuit-claims-federal-government-owes-alaska-700-billion-for-quashing-pebble-mine/
  188. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/12/in-court-filing-trump-administration-hints-at-a-lifeline-for-embattled-pebble-project/
  189. https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/climate-change-report-removed-alaska-dec-website
  190. https://gov.alaska.gov/admin-orders/administrative-order-no-238/
  191. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/salmonstate-wary-of-alaska-governor-s-order-to-reduce-regulations-amid-budget-crisis
  192. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/07/813193015/alaskas-republican-gov-mike-dunleavy-faces-a-recall-campaign
  193. https://law.justia.com/cases/alaska/supreme-court/2021/s-17706.html
  194. https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/why-alaskans-are-trying-to-recall-their-governor
  195. https://apnews.com/article/business-alaska-d60018aa574e2be0048fd5f00eaa238c
  196. https://alaskapublic.org/2020-01-10/judge-rejects-effort-by-alaska-gov-dunleavys-administration-to-block-recall-effort
  197. https://www.axios.com/2021/07/17/alaska-supreme-court-says-recall-campaign-against-governor-can-proceed
  198. https://www.ktoo.org/2021/08/25/recall-dunleavy-campaign-ended/
  199. https://alaskapublic.org/news/2021-08-25/the-campaign-to-recall-gov-mike-dunleavy-has-ended
  200. https://alaskasnewssource.com/2021/08/25/recall-dunleavy-effort-ends-due-lack-signatures-force-vote/
  201. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-vetoes-hb69-and-will-introduce-legislation-with-bsa-increase-and-education-policy-reform/
  202. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-vetoes-education-funding-bill-due-to-insufficient-education-policy/
  203. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/08/02/alaska-lawmakers-override-governors-veto-of-public-school-funding-restoring-services-and-teachers/
  204. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2025-08-02/lawmakers-override-gov-dunleavys-veto-of-oil-tax-transparency-bill
  205. https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/dunleavy-administration-hires-firm-for-alaska-permanent-fund-review/
  206. https://gov.alaska.gov/alaska-permanent-fund-corporation-governance-study-released/
  207. https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/20250317-alaska-governor-mike-dunleavy-releases-governance-recommendations-prepared-by-wilmerhale-for-the-alaska-permanent-fund-corporation
  208. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2025-10-09/crum-defends-use-of-alaskas-savings-for-private-equity-investment-as-governor-orders-review
  209. https://www.adn.com/politics/2025/10/23/dunleavy-administration-contracts-national-law-firm-to-review-investment-of-state-savings/
  210. https://www.dermotcole.com/reportingfromalaska/2025/10/25/s8vr0iufa8ga7c2gca88gfspq4uzq3
  211. https://www.dermotcole.com/reportingfromalaska/2025/10/24/dunleavys-office-pleads-ignorance-on-digitalbridge-review
  212. https://www.ktoo.org/2024/05/08/legislature-rejects-dunleavy-appointees-to-state-school-board-and-commercial-fishing-agency/
  213. https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2025/05/14/alaska-legislature-rejects-gov-dunleavys-picks-for-medical-board-and-teacher-oversight-board/
  214. https://www.akmemo.com/legislators-unanimously-reject-dunleavy-appointee-with-particularly-disqualifying-views/
  215. https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/19/dunleavy-violated-alaska-constitution-with-appointment-to-judge-picking-board-lawsuit-alleges/
  216. https://www.adn.com/politics/2025/07/17/group-sues-to-halt-gov-dunleavys-latest-appointment-to-alaska-judicial-council/
  217. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/alaska-legislature-files-lawsuit-challenging-005833200.html
  218. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2018-election/midterms/ak
  219. https://www.cookpolitical.com/governor/race/479451
  220. https://newjerseyglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Governor-Approval-Outlook-April-2025.pdf
  221. https://247wallst.com/politics/2024/08/15/this-republican-is-the-most-popular-state-governor/
  222. https://www.juneauempire.com/news/statewide-poll-trump-murkowski-provoke-strongest-feelings-sullivan-most-popular-among-delegation/
  223. https://thealaskacurrent.com/2025/08/05/poll-alaskans-are-broadly-unhappy-with-dunleavy-murkowski-and-sullivan/
  224. https://gov.alaska.gov/statewide-public-opinion-poll-finds-overwhelming-support-for-education-reform-in-alaska/
  225. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AKDEED/bulletins/3e7cfbd
  226. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/12/13/gov-dunleavy-unveils-proposed-budget-which-includes-full-pfd/
  227. https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/2025-10-17/dunleavy-drive-to-reduce-regulation-could-reshape-many-parts-of-life-in-alaska
  228. https://www.juneauempire.com/news/dunleavy-vetoes-200-of-700-bsa-increase-as-he-signs-state-budget-for-coming-year/
  229. https://gov.alaska.gov/governor-dunleavy-issues-statement-ahead-of-special-session/
  230. https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/01/29/some-skepticism-as-gov-mike-dunleavy-proposes-biggest-use-of-executive-power-in-decades/
  231. https://www.apmreports.org/story/2023/05/30/jeremy-cubas-alaska-policy-adviser-resigns
  232. https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_State_Senate_elections%2C_2012
  233. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/22PRIM/ElectionSummaryReportRPT.pdf
  234. https://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/22GENR/ElectionSummaryReportRPT.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.