Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy Plans 2028 Senate Run Against Lisa Murkowski
Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy is reportedly gearing up to launch his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2028, aiming to challenge incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski. This development comes amid whispers from various sources close to the governor, highlighting a contentious relationship between Murkowski and former President Donald Trump.
A source close to Dunleavy mentioned that he has no intention of stepping down from his position, emphasizing his commitment to Alaska. Dunleavy intends to run alongside Republican Dan Sullivan in the state’s next Senate election in 2026. The last governor to leave office for higher ambitions, Sarah Palin in 2008, did so only to face significant political fallout, which seems to weigh on Dunleavy’s decision-making process.
As for his feelings about Washington, Dunleavy seems a bit perplexed about why anyone would prefer life there over Alaska’s natural beauty, expressing a genuine love for his state. Yet, he recognizes that achieving his goals requires being in the political arena, especially in D.C.
Additionally, there’s recognition that Dunleavy’s stance aligns more closely with Trump’s views than Murkowski’s, which, according to insiders, could be a significant advantage. In 2016, he was one of the initial governors to support Trump, even hosting his former aide during a visit that involved a notable summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Interestingly, although Alaska leans Republican, the road to re-election for a governor can be quite challenging. The last Republican to achieve this was Jay Hammond back in 1978. In more recent times, Sean Parnell, who filled the position after departing in 2009, did not technically win reelection.
It seems people close to Dunleavy recognize the growing dissatisfaction with Senator Murkowski, suggesting that his candidacy is seen as a viable opportunity. There’s a sentiment that Dunleavy could resonate with voters due to his established rapport across different political circles, extending beyond traditional conservative supporters.
People in remote Alaskan communities appreciate his focus on energy development and the allocation of resources for education and infrastructure improvement. Political analysts agree that Dunleavy’s candidacy could excite conservative voters who are eager for a change.
However, there’s also an acknowledgement of the complexity surrounding native voting in Alaska, which tends to lean left but can cross party lines in support of candidates like Dunleavy and Murkowski. It’s a nuanced dynamic; many voters may feel torn between their support for Dunleavy and their historical connections to Murkowski.
Murkwoski, who comes from a political family, previously reclaimed her seat in a notable write-in campaign in 2010. This history, combined with Dunleavy’s conservative backing, suggests that whatever race unfolds will be closely contested. With Alaska set to hold its gubernatorial race in December—earlier than many other elections—the landscape is increasingly intriguing.
Efforts to reach both Dunleavy’s and Murkowski’s campaigns for comment have so far been unfruitful.
