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January 13, 2026 – As Alaska braces for a heated gubernatorial election, the glare falls squarely on the gubernatorial hopefuls. Yet the Lieutenant Governor position, frequently dismissed as a mere understudy or political prop, could be the linchpin for reclaiming our state's sovereignty and efficiency. In this rugged expanse of untamed wilderness and resilient spirit, we must elevate this office to its rightful place: a vigilant defender of liberty, not a placeholder for ambition.

Lieutenant Governor's Key Responsibilities (Alaska Constitution and Statutes)

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From the Alaska Constitution (Article III, Section 7):

The Lieutenant Governor performs duties prescribed by law and delegated by the Governor, with the same qualifications and term as the Governor. The office is first in the line of succession.

From Alaska Statutes (primarily AS 44.19.020 and related provisions):

• Administer and supervise state election laws (chief election official, oversee Division of Elections, certify results, qualify candidates, supervise ballot initiatives and referenda, conduct hearings).

• Appoint notaries public.

• Review, file, and adopt regulations (publish the Alaska Administrative Code and maintain the Online Public Notice System).

• Regulate use of the state seal (custodian).

• Certify elections and swear in new legislators; call the legislature to order on organization day.

• Chair or serve on assigned commissions (e.g., Alaska Historical Commission, Alaska Workforce Investment Board).

• Perform other duties delegated by the Governor (e.g., diplomatic representation, intergovernmental advocacy).

These form a clear, focused framework. A committed Lieutenant Governor prioritizes them while receiving a transparent, publicly announced portfolio that enhances, rather than replaces, the core role.

 

The Challenge: Governors Too Often Pick Lt. Governors for Political Expediency, Not True Competence

Over a dozen candidates are now jostling for the Governor's seat in 2026. Some have named running mates or are in the process, but selections often hinge on superficial factors: bolstering ticket appeal, patching the Governor's weaknesses, or leveraging name recognition for fundraising in a crowded race where donations are reportedly harder to secure.

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Historically, this mindset has yielded Lt. Governors who, while often capable statesmen or community leaders, arrive ill-equipped for the role's constitutional duties. They may harbor unspoken gubernatorial aspirations, treating the position as a waiting room rather than a battlefield.

 

Take past examples like the Walker-Mallott ticket in 2014, where co-governance blurred lines but sidelined core Lt. Governor duties. The outcome? Passive oversight, neglected advocacy, and a failure to confront entrenched problems like federal encroachments.

 

This libertarian-leaning state deserves a paradigm shift. We need Lt. Governors who crave the job itself – warriors committed to executing its constitutional mandates with unyielding conviction, profound knowledge, honed skills, and deliberate intent. They must campaign squarely on these responsibilities, proving mastery beyond mere political stances. Only then can they stand ready as Governor if fate demands, without ever compromising their primary oath.

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Why It Matters: Defending Alaska's Core Freedoms Against Overreach and Inefficiency

The Lieutenant Governor stands as Alaska's premier diplomat and outspoken champion – the external voice battling for our interests. This demands razor-sharp expertise in forging alliances with tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and federal bureaucracies, while wielding the authority to challenge Washington, D.C., head-on. For too long, we've misused the Attorney General, dragging that office into political skirmishes that distract from pure law enforcement. It's time to restore balance: let the Lt. Governor lead the charge in advocacy and diplomacy, freeing the AG to uphold justice without partisan taint.

 

At Alaska's soul lies a fierce commitment to self-reliance, bountiful resources, and unbridled freedom – values imperiled by federal overreach that the Lt. Governor must fiercely guard. Despite incremental progress, like the 2025 conveyance of nearly 28,000 acres to NANA Regional Corporation by the Interior Department, millions of acres pledged at statehood in 1959 remain locked away, violating our statehood compact and costing us untold billions in economic potential. Federal grip on vast lands – over 60% of Alaska – dwarfs even Nevada's, stifling private enterprise and innovation.

 

Add intrusive management of fish and wildlife, unique to our state, that hampers achieving the maximum sustainable yields mandated by our Constitution.

 

Reports, including the 2015 ASLAG review, document over 2,000 ANILCA violations since 1980, from preempting state hunting rules to ignoring rural priorities – issues that fester because Lt. Governors have been absent from the fight.

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Elections anchor the Lt. Governor's statutory authority, yet our system groans under strain. As of October 2025, bloated voter rolls, with 58% unaffiliated, invite scrutiny and doubt. Prolonged counts drag on for weeks in our modest electorate, in contrast to Florida's same-night results for millions more voters. Mail-in ballots, criticized since the Carter Commission's 1982 findings for fraud risks, compound vulnerabilities. Ranked-choice voting, implemented in 2020, has led to rejection rates as high as 4% in the 2022 special U.S. House election, disenfranchising thousands and eroding confidence.

 

A bold Lt. Governor would overhaul this, adopting proven efficiencies from states like Virginia to ensure swift, verifiable outcomes. Trustworthy elections aren't optional; they're the foundation of liberty, preventing special interests from hijacking our voice.

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Fiscal vigilance is in urgent need of attention amid looming shortfalls and oil volatility. Legislators' penchant for district pork – akin to endless handouts – burdens our sparse population, prompting tax threats. The Lt. Governor must push for an Inspector General dedicated to relentless forensic audits that expose waste and enforce accountability before it bankrupts us.

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Governors often dilute the role by assigning flashy portfolios in areas like economic development or fisheries – tasks better suited to commissioners or cabinet experts. These distractions cannibalize core duties and must be curbed. Any delegated responsibilities should amplify, not eclipse, the Lt. Governor's mandate, with a transparent, publicly declared portfolio outlined during the campaign for voter oversight.

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A Vision Forward: Rallying for a Fearless Guardian

As the 2026 horizon sharpens, Alaskans must roar for a Lieutenant Governor forged for the fray: armed with intricate election acumen, diplomatic prowess, an intimate grasp of lands and ANILCA intricacies, seamless collaboration with tribes and corporations, business savvy to unleash resource wealth, auditing tenacity, and a libertarian fire for advocacy. This transcends party lines; it's a crusade to revive our pioneering ethos.

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Demand a leader who brandishes the state seal as a banner of defiance – safeguarding justice, fueling prosperity, and fortifying sovereignty. Our boundless frontiers demand no less than this indomitable sentinel.

 

In conclusion, given the current political limitations of Rank Choice Voting ( RCV) it is essential that Governor candidates select a Lt. Governor running mate who will execute fully the office to protect, both election integrity but as important, our sovereign rights to promote unimpeded commerce. Look at the State seal. It is an icon which symbolizes a commitment to fully unleashing our resource potential while promoting a viable private economy. These are the essential roles of a Lt. Governor.