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Governor of Alaska
Seal of the State of Alaska.svg
Mike Dunleavy official photo (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Mike Dunleavy

since December 3, 2018
Government of Alaska
Residence Alaska Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder William A. Egan
Formation January 3, 1959
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Alaska
Salary $145,000 (2022)

The governor of Alaska is the main leader of the state government in Alaska. This important job is like being the chief boss of the state. The governor is also in charge of Alaska's state military forces. The Iñupiaq name for the governor is Alaaskam kavanaa.

Alaska has had twelve different people serve as governor since it became a state. Some governors, like William A. Egan and Wally Hickel, served more than one term. Only two governors, William A. Egan and Bill Walker, were born in Alaska. Wally Hickel even won an election as a member of a smaller, "third" political party. The longest-serving state governor was William A. Egan, who served for almost 12 years.

Before Alaska became a state, it had many other leaders. These included military officers and officials from the U.S. government.

The current governor is Mike Dunleavy. He is a Republican and started his term on December 3, 2018.

Alaska's Leaders Before Statehood

The United States bought Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867. This event is now celebrated as Alaska Day. Before 1867, Alaska was called Russian America. It was controlled by the Russian-American Company.

Early Leaders of Alaska

After the U.S. bought Alaska, it was first called the Department of Alaska. The U.S. Army was in charge until 1877. Then, the U.S. Treasury Department took over. The main official was the Collector of Customs. In 1879, the U.S. Navy became responsible for Alaska.

Some people think the first American leader of Alaska was Włodzimierz Krzyżanowski. He was a Polish immigrant. However, there is no clear proof to support this idea.

Governors of the District of Alaska

On May 17, 1884, Alaska became the District of Alaska. This meant it had a civil government. The president of the United States chose the governor for the district.

Governors of the Territory of Alaska

Alaska became an official Territory on August 24, 1912. The president of the United States still appointed the governors. The longest-serving territorial governor was Ernest Gruening, who served for over 13 years.

Governors of the State of Alaska

Alaska officially became a U.S. state on January 3, 1959.

The state's constitution says that the governor and lieutenant governor are elected together. They serve for four years. A governor can serve two terms in a row. After two terms, they must wait four years before running again. If the governor's office becomes empty, the lieutenant governor takes over. The role of lieutenant governor used to be called "secretary of state" until 1970.


Governors of the State of Alaska
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 William A. Egan.jpg   William A. Egan
(1914–1984)
January 3, 1959

December 5, 1966
(lost election)
Democratic 1958   Wade, HughHugh Wade
1962
2 Hickel.gif Wally Hickel
(1919–2010)
December 5, 1966

January 24, 1969
(resigned)
Republican 1966 Miller, Keith HarveyKeith Harvey Miller
3 Keith H. Miller.jpg Keith Harvey Miller
(1925–2019)
January 24, 1969

December 7, 1970
(lost election)
Republican Succeeded from
secretary
of state
Ward, Robert W.Robert W. Ward
1 William A. Egan.jpg William A. Egan
(1914–1984)
December 7, 1970

December 2, 1974
(lost election)
Democratic 1970 Boucher, H. A.H. A. Boucher
4 Jay Hammond 1975.jpg Jay Hammond
(1922–2005)
December 2, 1974

December 6, 1982
(term-limited)
Republican 1974 Thomas Jr., LowellLowell Thomas Jr.
1978 Miller, TerryTerry Miller
5 Bill Sheffield 1989 (cropped).jpg Bill Sheffield
(1928–2022)
December 6, 1982

December 1, 1986
(lost nomination)
Democratic 1982 McAlpine, SteveSteve McAlpine
6 Steve Cowper 1990 (cropped).jpg Steve Cowper
(b. 1938)
December 1, 1986

December 3, 1990
(did not run)
Democratic 1986
2 Hickel.gif Wally Hickel
(1919–2010)
December 3, 1990

December 5, 1994
(did not run)
Alaskan
Independence
1990 Coghill, JackJack Coghill
7 GovTonyKnowles (1).jpg Tony Knowles
(b. 1943)
December 5, 1994

December 2, 2002
(term-limited)
Democratic 1994 Ulmer, FranFran Ulmer
1998
8 Frank Murkowski, 105th Congress photo.jpg Frank Murkowski
(b. 1933)
December 2, 2002

December 4, 2006
(lost nomination)
Republican 2002 Leman, LorenLoren Leman
9 Sarah Palin by Gage Skidmore 2 (cropped 3x4).jpg Sarah Palin
(b. 1964)
December 4, 2006

July 26, 2009
(resigned)
Republican 2006 Parnell, SeanSean Parnell
10 Former Governor of Alaska Sean Parnell.jpg Sean Parnell
(b. 1962)
July 26, 2009

December 1, 2014
(lost election)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
Campbell, CraigCraig Campbell
(took office August 10, 2009)
2010 Treadwell, MeadMead Treadwell
11 Bill Walker.jpg Bill Walker
(b. 1951)
December 1, 2014

December 3, 2018
(withdrew)
Independent 2014 Mallott, ByronByron Mallott
(resigned October 16, 2018)
Davidson, ValerieValerie Davidson
12 Mike Dunleavy official photo.jpg Mike Dunleavy
(b. 1961)
December 3, 2018

Incumbent
Republican 2018 Meyer, KevinKevin Meyer
2022 Dahlstrom, NancyNancy Dahlstrom

See also

  • Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Alaska
  • List of Alaska State Legislatures
  • List of governors of dependent territories in the 19th century
  • List of governors of dependent territories in the 20th century

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