After speculation he’d join Trump administration, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says he’ll finish term

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy says he is not taking a job in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and will instead serve out the rest of his second term as governor.

For months, Alaska lawmakers and others involved with politics have openly discussed the possibility that Dunleavy could join Trump’s cabinet. Dunleavy himself did not rule that option out in a televised interview shortly after the Nov. 5 election.

But, one by one, Trump picked other nominees to positions that Dunleavy was rumored to be in contention for, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior secretary.

On a conservative talk radio show hosted by Mike Porcaro, Dunleavy said Monday that he would serve out his second term as Alaska governor.

“I’m staying for the next two years,” he said. “I know there has been some talk, but the president and I have not had a discussion about a job. I really enjoy the job I have, and I look forward to helping Alaskans over the next two years.”

[Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US public land: ‘Drill’]

Dunleavy was enthusiastic about the prospects of working with Trump over the next few years.

“I can’t imagine another time in human history that’s going to be more exciting than this, to be honest with you,” he said to Porcaro.

Dunleavy said Trump has supported resource development projects in Alaska, including removing restrictions on logging and roadbuilding in the Tongass National Forest, and advancing oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Dunleavy has also been bullish on constructing a gas line from the North Slope. On Monday, he pointed to Trump’s recent public support for the contentious and long-awaited megaproject.

In 2022, Dunleavy became the first Alaska governor to be reelected since 1998. He is set to serve his second and final term as governor until December 2026.