List of governors of Alaska

Governor of Alaska
The Seal of the State of Alaska
Incumbent
Mike Dunleavy
since December 3, 2018
ResidenceAlaska Governor's Mansion
Term lengthFour years, renewable once
Inaugural holderWilliam A. Egan
FormationJanuary 3, 1959
DeputyKevin Meyer
Salary$145,000
Websitegov.alaska.gov

The Governor of Alaska is the leader of Alaska's government and the state's military. The governor has the right to make state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Alaska Legislature, to meet the legislature, and grant pardons, not for impeachment.

The current Governor of Alaska is Mike Dunleavy.

Governors of Alaska

Governors of the State of Alaska
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1   William A. Egan January 3, 1959
–
December 5, 1966
(term limited)		 Democratic 1958   Hugh Wade
1962
2 Wally Hickel December 5, 1966
–
January 29, 1969
(resigned)		 Republican 1966 Keith Harvey Miller
3 Keith Harvey Miller January 29, 1969
–
December 7, 1970
(lost election)		 Republican Succeeded from
Secretary
of State		 Robert W. Ward
1 William A. Egan December 7, 1970
–
December 2, 1974
(lost election)		 Democratic 1970 H. A. Boucher
4 Jay Hammond December 2, 1974
–
December 6, 1982
(term limited)		 Republican 1974 Lowell Thomas Jr.
1978 Terry Miller
5 Bill Sheffield December 6, 1982
–
December 1, 1986
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1982 Steve McAlpine
6 Steve Cowper December 1, 1986
–
December 3, 1990
(not candidate for election)		 Democratic 1986
2 Wally Hickel December 3, 1990
–
December 5, 1994
(not candidate for election)		 Alaskan
Independence		 1990 Jack Coghill
7 Tony Knowles December 5, 1994
–
December 2, 2002
(term limited)		 Democratic 1994 Fran Ulmer
1998
8 Frank Murkowski December 2, 2002
–
December 4, 2006
(not candidate for election)		 Republican 2002 Loren Leman
9 Sarah Palin December 4, 2006
–
July 26, 2009
(resigned)		 Republican 2006 Sean Parnell
10 Sean Parnell July 26, 2009
–
December 1, 2014
(lost election)		 Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor		 Vacant
Craig Campbell
(took office August 10, 2009)
2010 Mead Treadwell
11 Bill Walker December 1, 2014
–
December 3, 2018
(withdrew from election)		 Independent 2014 Byron Mallott
(resigned October 16, 2018)
Valerie Davidson
12 Mike Dunleavy December 3, 2018
–
present		 Republican 2018 Kevin Meyer

Living former Governors of Alaska

As of February 2026, there are six living former Governors of Alaska, the oldest being Frank Murkowski (served 2002-2006), at 92. The most recent death of a former governor was that of Bill Sheffield (served 1982-1986) on November 4, 2022.

Notes

  1. ↑ Data is sourced from the National Governors Association, unless supplemental references are required.
  2. ↑ The office of lieutenant governor was named secretary of state until 1970.
  3. ↑ Lieutenant governors have all represented the same party as their governor.
  4. ↑ Hickel resigned to become United States Secretary of the Interior.
  5. ↑ Hickel was elected as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, and switched to the Republican party in April 1994.
  6. ↑ Palin resigned, citing the costs of ethics investigations.
  7. ↑ Campbell's position was termed "Temporary Substitute Lieutenant Governor until he was confirmed by the Alaska Legislature on August 10, 2009.
  8. ↑ Dunleavy's first term expires on December 5, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "The Governors: Compensation, Staff, Travel and Residence" (PDF). The Council of State Governments. April 3, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ AK Const. art. II, § 15
  3. ↑ AK Const. art. III
  4. ↑ "Walter J. Hickel". National Governors Association. Retrieved November 24, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ "Alaska". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  6. ↑ "Alaska's Gov. Hickel Rejoins Gop Amid Speculation Over Another Term". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. April 15, 1994. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Legal Bills Swayed Palin, Official Says". The New York Times. July 5, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  8. ↑ "2014 General Election November 4, 2014 Official Results". elections.alaska.gov. November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ Forgey, Pat (July 28, 2009). "Alaska gets first ever 'temporary substitute' lt. governor". Juneau Empire. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  10. ↑ "House Journal, Alaska State Legislature, Twenty-Sixth Legislature, First Special Session". legis.state.ak.us. State of Alaska. August 10, 2009. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  11. ↑ Zak, Annie (2018-10-19). "Gov. Bill Walker drops out of campaign for Alaska governor". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. ↑ Zak, Annie; Hanlon, Tegan; DeMarban, Alex (October 16, 2018). "Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott abruptly resigns following "inappropriate comments"". Anchorage Daily News.