JUNEAU EMPIRE
The race for lieutenant governor has a new contender. On Thursday morning, Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, filed his application with the Alaska Division of Elections.
The filing took place at the division’s Anchorage office.
In a press release announcing his candidacy, Meyer said Alaska has suffered from a “leadership deficit” under the administration of Gov. Bill Walker.
Meyer is employed by ConocoPhillips and served as Senate President between 2014 and 2016. He was Senate Majority Leader from 2011 to 2012. He has been in the Senate since 2008 and served in the House from 2000 to 2008.
Meyer’s decision to run for lieutenant governor leaves his seat open for a new senator. Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, represents one of the House seats in Meyer’s district and has already filed to run for Meyer’s seat. Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, represents the other House seat; she has not yet applied but has previously expressed interest.
The race for lieutenant governor is more competitive so far than the one for governor. On the Republican side, former Rep. Lynn Gattis and sitting Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, have either filed with the Division of Elections or indicated their interest with the Alaska Public Offices Commission.
Incumbent independent Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott has also filed for re-election.
No Democrats have filed, according to the the Division of Elections.
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