Gov. Mike Dunleavy, the Republican governor of Alaska, has been reelected. This marks the end of a long campaign season that lasted more than 40 years and the start of four more years of Dunleavy as the head of state government.
After completing the final ballot count Wednesday, he stated that “it brings some finality” and allowed him to move forward and plan for the next four-years. It’s a positive day for us. It’s also a good day in Alaska, I believe.”
However, observers don’t expect that the next four years will repeat many of the events in the previous four. Dunleavy’s first term was unusually turbulent due to a major earthquake, and a pandemic. Dunleavy’s governorship was also marked by a rigid approach to governance that has been criticized by others.
Alaskan weather prevented the governor from taking off for his first term.
He was due to take his oath in Noorvik, his wife’s Northwest Alaska village. However, the fog made it impossible to land.
While he waited for the weather clear, he ended up swearing in an unplanned manner at Kotzebue. These were just the beginning of many surprises.
Dunleavy’s first full year as governor was fraught with controversy and chaos. However, he soon settled into his position. Dunleavy was immediately confronted with the recovery of the November 2018 earthquake that struck Southcentral Alaska and a sharp decline in oil prices.
“And then, very shortly after that, there were dismissals and there was some animony in the transition process,” stated Tom Begich, a Democratic state senator who served during Dunleavy’s time in the legislature. All of this led us to believe that it could be a difficult four years.
Begich stated that he knew Dunleavy to be conservative, with a libertarian streak, and indicated there was an expectation that Dunleavy would take a hardline approach when governing.
Begich stated that he was not prepared for how hardline.
He said, “I think that we were all quite surprised at the absolute extent of cuts and ideology that appeared.”
Dunleavy’s transition group was assisted by Tuckerman Babcock, chief of staff. This move went beyond the normal turnover between administrations. After firing two transition doctors, a judge found that Babcock and Dunleavy had acted illegally and settled for half of a million.
After just a few months, Dunleavy made massive budget cuts, which slashed $444 millions from the state’s operating funds. This included a 41% reduction to the University of Alaska and a 75% decrease to the marine highway network. Also, cuts to Medicaid and the village public safety officers program.
Begich attributes some of the most extreme first-year measures to the hawkish members Dunleavy’s team, including Babcock, and a budget director from Outside, Donna Arduin.
Begich stated that he believed he had received bad advice. You can’t help but feel excited when you first start a job. Before you know it, you have to learn to get along with everyone.
Many Alaskans saw these proposed cuts as a brutal attack on state services. A campaign to recall Dunleavy was launched in the summer 2019.
Jim Lottsfeldt, a political advisor who worked for a super PAC that elected Lisa Murkowski this election year, stated, “And I believe he would have had to be recalled. While Dunleavy was in the Legislature, he also worked as an lobbyist.
The pandemic lasted for the majority of Dunleavy’s term. Its effects on the long-term economy and health are still being discovered.
Dunleavy found a middle ground for his pandemic response. He removed all restrictions on business capacity early in the pandemic. He declined to issue another emergency declaration in 2021, as hospitals were overwhelmed and he resorted to crisis care.
Lottsfeldt stated that Dunleavy ignored conservative calls to fire Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer.
Lottsfeldt stated that he never considered firing Anne Zink. She saved his political career. She is the one who brought stability and order to this whole response. He let her be his, and she was able to be him.
Begich stated that Dunleavy was a better governor because he had to deal with a pandemic. Lottsfeldt stated that Dunleavy, a former senator from Mat-Su, became more moderate with experience.
Lottsfeldt stated, “I’m being generous, but that is how I choose to think.”
Dunleavy stated in interviews that his second term would build on his first. Dunleavy lists his top priorities as marketing natural gas and planning for Arctic shipping lanes. He also mentions improving public safety. Lottsfeldt warns that there is a lot of turnover among Dunleavy’s commissioners. This makes it difficult to attract talent and will mean that newcomers to administration will need to learn a lot.
Begich stated that Dunleavy had built trust with legislators after a difficult first year. The communication between the governors and the Legislature has improved. He said that although many new legislators will be in session next year, he is optimistic about the outcome.
Begich stated, “It is absolutely clear to me” that 2019 will be different.
Dunleavy stated last week that he was open to working with any legislator “who wants to move Alaska forward.”
The governor stated that “I think the part of this election is that people don’t care about the personalization, politicalization of some relationships.”
Begich stated that he believes the conditions exist for a productive legislative session. However, it will come down to the cooperation from all involved, including the governor.
