Trump Ally Mike Dunleavy Preparing Senate Run Against Lisa Murkowski
Alaska’s political scene is bracing for a major showdown that could reverberate across the nation. According to multiple sources speaking to Fox News, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy is preparing to announce a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2028, positioning himself directly against incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski.The potential matchup would pit one of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies against one of his most persistent critics, setting the stage for a battle that could reshape Republican politics in Alaska and beyond.Governor Mike Dunleavy, first elected in 2018, has built a reputation for pragmatic governance while avoiding much of the partisan theater that dominates Washington.
Those close to him say he is determined to complete his current term as governor before seeking higher office, making clear that he does not intend to repeat the mistake of former Governor Sarah Palin, who resigned in 2009 to pursue national ambitions and never recovered politically.“He’s not going to quit his term,” a top source told Fox News Digital, stressing that Dunleavy has no interest in cutting short his gubernatorial responsibilities. Yet the same source acknowledged that the governor recognizes the limitations of state leadership.“Being in Washington is the only way to get things done,” the source added, noting Dunleavy’s growing awareness of the national implications of Alaska’s resources, energy policies, and strategic location.Unlike Murkowski, who has repeatedly clashed with Trump over issues ranging from impeachment to judicial appointments, Dunleavy has remained firmly in Trump’s corner.
He was the second governor in the nation to endorse Trump in 2016 and has maintained regular communication with him since. Despite the 3,500-mile distance between Juneau and Washington, Dunleavy has been one of the most frequent governors to visit the White House.
“Trump has talked to him before about running and wants him to run,” a source confirmed. This encouragement adds significant weight to Dunleavy’s potential candidacy, given Trump’s enduring influence within the Republican Party and especially among Alaska conservatives.Dunleavy’s presence at Trump’s August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson further cemented his role as one of Trump’s key allies in Alaska.The symbolism of that moment underscored the governor’s national stature and close alignment with Trump’s foreign and domestic agenda.
Lisa Murkowski, the daughter of former Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski, has been a fixture in Alaska politics since her appointment to the Senate in 2002. She has cultivated an image as a centrist willing to buck her party on key votes.While this independence has earned her support among moderates and Democrats in Alaska’s unique political environment, it has also left her vulnerable to criticism from conservatives who view her as out of step with the Republican base.Murkowski famously survived a 2010 challenge from Tea Party candidate Joe Miller by mounting a successful write-in campaign, one of the most remarkable political comebacks in modern U.S. history.But analysts caution that Dunleavy represents a different caliber of challenger—one with both broad conservative support and credibility among moderates and Alaska Native communities.
“Murkowski has never faced a challenger like him,” one source told Fox News. “He’s built support that goes beyond just conservatives.”
Alaska’s adoption of ranked-choice voting in 2020 has complicated the state’s political dynamics. The system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, making it more difficult for polarizing figures to win outright.Critics argue that this has benefited Democrats and moderates, including Murkowski, who won re-election in 2022 thanks in part to crossover support from independents and Democrats.Dunleavy, however, has shown that he can succeed under the ranked-choice system. His strong relationships with Alaska Native communities, particularly in the North Slope and rural regions, have broadened his coalition beyond traditional conservative circles.His emphasis on energy development, infrastructure, and rural education has resonated with voters who often feel overlooked by Washington.
These ties could prove decisive in a Senate race where the Native vote has historically played a crucial role.Supporters of Dunleavy point to his record in Alaska as evidence of his viability as a Senate candidate. Despite the state’s fiscal challenges, he has prioritized economic development, energy independence, and public safety.His administration has been marked by efforts to expand oil and gas production, invest in renewable energy, and strengthen Alaska’s role in America’s strategic defense.“He’s not about an ego and pushing himself in front of the cameras. He gets stuff done,” one close aide said. “He doesn’t like the cocktail parties and photo ops.”
This no-nonsense approach has earned him credibility among voters who value pragmatism over partisanship. While he has avoided the spotlight compared to Palin or Murkowski, those who know him say he is quietly building a base of support that could translate into electoral strength.A Dunleavy–Murkowski matchup would effectively become a proxy battle between Trump’s MAGA movement and the centrist wing of the Republican Party.Murkowski has been one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, voting to convict him in his second impeachment trial and opposing some of his judicial nominees. Trump, in turn, has repeatedly attacked her, even calling for her defeat in previous elections.Conservatives frustrated with Murkowski’s independence see Dunleavy as the ideal candidate to finally unseat her. “Conservatives would welcome an opportunity to unseat Murkowski,” an Alaska political analyst observed.“The fact that Trump and Murkowski have had such a strained relationship and Dunleavy and the president have a good relationship is really what has led us to this point.”Despite Dunleavy’s strong positioning, unseating Murkowski will not be easy. Her resilience is well-documented, and her ability to attract cross-party support in Alaska’s unique political environment has kept her in office for over two decades.Furthermore, the ranked-choice system provides her with a cushion, allowing her to rely on second- and third-choice votes from independents and Democrats who may not support Dunleavy.
Still, Dunleavy’s broad support and Trump’s backing represent a formidable challenge. His connections with Native communities, his record as governor, and his pragmatic style make him more difficult to caricature as an extremist than Murkowski’s past challengers.The potential 2028 Senate race in Alaska carries implications far beyond the state. If Dunleavy enters the race, it will highlight the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party between Trump-aligned conservatives and centrist moderates.A Dunleavy victory would strengthen Trump’s influence in the Senate and signal that even entrenched moderates like Murkowski are vulnerable to MAGA challengers.For Democrats, the race presents both opportunities and risks. While Murkowski has often sided with Democrats on key issues, a fractured Republican Party could open a path for a Democrat to compete in Alaska.At the same time, the state’s conservative leanings make it difficult for Democrats to mount a serious challenge without significant crossover support.As 2028 approaches, Alaska may become the stage for one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. Mike Dunleavy, the pragmatic governor with strong ties to Trump, is preparing to challenge Lisa Murkowski, the entrenched moderate who has survived past insurgencies but now faces her most serious threat yet.The contest will test the durability of Murkowski’s brand of independence, the strength of Trump’s influence within the GOP, and the ability of Alaska’s unique ranked-choice system to navigate an intensely polarized matchup.
What is certain is that this race will not only determine who represents Alaska in the U.S. Senate but also serve as a referendum on the future direction of the Republican Party itself.