Alaska Lt. Gov. Meyer announces he will not run for reelection

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer announced during a press conference on Tuesday that he will not be running for reelection along with Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2022, signaling an end to 30 years in politics.

Meyer, who has served as lieutenant governor since Dunleavy took office in 2018, announced his decision at the end of a Tuesday press conference in Anchorage that was about a bill soon to be introduced dealing with election integrity in the state. Meyer said that in order to remain impartial on that subject, he would not be running for reelection.

“I need to be impartial so I can meet these challenges head on, without any appearance at bias or conflict,” he said. “I think that’s extremely important as far as voter trust and confidence in our election process.”

Dunleavy announced his bid for reelection in August. Meyer had also initially filed a letter of intent to run again in 2022 with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.

Meyer served on the Anchorage Assembly for eight years, and another eight years in the Alaska House of Representatives. He served another 10 years in the Alaska Senate and is in his fourth year as lieutenant governor.

He said on Tuesday that the announcement was difficult.

“Didn’t think it’d be this tough,” Meyer said while choking up. “It’s a job I really love and I cherish the time I’ve had with you, governor, to do that. But, you know, frankly after 30 years of elected service — and I just counted up before this press conference, 19 elections that I’ve been in if you count the primary and the general — I’m kind of looking forward to sitting this one out, frankly.”

Meyer said he’s looking forward to focusing his time on “having the best election we could possibly have in 2022.”

“During my time in public service, I have met some of the most incredible people, received wise counsel from other leaders, and had the extreme honor of working with some of the most dedicated public servants,” Meyer wrote in a press release later Tuesday.

Dunleavy thanked his fellow Republican for their four years working together.

“We have enjoyed a good, professional relationship and I wish him nothing but the best,” the Dunleavy campaign said through a prepared statement. “I certainly understand his desire to move on and do other things. I think his focus on this election integrity bill will be his legacy. I wholeheartedly support his decision to focus on making sure this election has the outcomes Alaskans expect and can trust. He knows what’s at stake.”

Andrew Jensen, a volunteer spokesperson for the campaign, said, to his knowledge, that Dunleavy doesn’t have a shortlist for a new running mate and doesn’t have someone chosen out. He said it was “premature” to speculate what type of person Dunleavy would like as running mate as Meyer had only made the announcement on Tuesday.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information.

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