Mike Dunleavy is the 12th and current Governor of Alaska, serving since December 2018. Born on May 5, 1961, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dunleavy moved to Alaska in 1983 seeking opportunity, initially working in a Southeast Alaska logging camp before pursuing a career in education[2][3]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks[3][5]. For nearly two decades, Dunleavy worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in northwest Arctic communities, deeply embedding himself in Alaska’s rural and urban educational systems[1][2]. In 2004, Dunleavy and his family moved to Wasilla, where he founded an educational consulting firm and engaged in statewide education projects. He served on the Mat-Su Borough School Board, including two years as president, and later represented District E in the Alaska State Senate from 2013 to 2018[1][4]. As a state senator, Dunleavy was known for his focus on education and fiscal policy. Dunleavy was first elected governor in 2018 as a Republican and won re-election in 2022, becoming the first Republican governor in Alaska to secure a second term since 1978[1][2]. His tenure began amid significant challenges, including a major earthquake in Southcentral Alaska and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his administration, Dunleavy has prioritized economic health and job growth, advocating for Alaska’s business community and seeking to attract new investment[1][2][6]. He has also emphasized restoring trust in government and maximizing Alaska’s resource potential. Dunleavy is married to Rose, who is from the Kobuk River Valley community of Noorvik, and they have three daughters. The family is known for enjoying outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and camping[1][2]. Recently, Dunleavy has continued to focus on state preparedness, economic development, and commemorating significant Alaskan figures, such as mourning the passing of former Representative Brenda Itta-Lee, the first Alaska Native woman to serve in the state House[6]. As of late 2025, Dunleavy remains a central figure in Alaska politics, actively shaping policy and responding to both ongoing and emerging state challenges[6].