Rep. Mike Chenault, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2001 and was the body’s longest-serving Speaker, has filed a letter of intent to run for governor.
Chenault stepped down from the speakership after four terms in 2017, and the House reorganized under Democrat leadership with Bryce Edgmon.
Born in New Mexico, he moved to the Kenai Peninsula as a child, graduated from Kenai Central High School, and started a career in construction. He was president of the North Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
He represents House District 29, which is the eastern Kenai Peninsula from Nikiski to Seward.
He told Must Read Alaska that filing his letter of intent would allow him to gauge support around the state for a candidacy.
“I am looking at all the options to see if the support is there to run for Governor in 2018,” said Chenault, in a statment released this afternoon. “I’m not satisfied with the direction of the current administration and where the state is headed. We need to resolve our fiscal issues, create a climate where businesses can thrive, and continue to develop an educational system that will enable our children to learn and be part of our future work force.”
Earlier today, former Sen. Charlie Huggins filed a letter of intent and Sen. Mike Dunleavy suspended his campaign for governor.
(Must Read Alaska is in travel status in Fairbanks and will update this story.)
