FORMER GOV. SEAN PARNELL IS SPECIAL ADVISOR ON AK-LNG PROJECTS
Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy held his second press conference since the Nov. 6 election, announcing key members of his team. Still hoarse and sucking on a lozenge with an obvious head cold, he left most of the comments to Chief of Staff Tuckerman Babcock and two of his Transition Team policy advisors: Brett Huber and John Moller.
Former Gov. Sean Parnell was named the special adviser to the Alaska LNG project. He was governor from 2009 to 2014 and he will be analyzing the Alaska LNG project as it stands today and making recommendations on the next steps.
Dick Randolph, the “father of the income tax repeal” was named the special adviser on constitutional amendments. He ran as a Libertarian candidate for governor in 1982 and as a Republican primary gubernatorial candidate in 1986. He is known for his efforts to repeal the state income tax in 1980. He will advise Dunleavy on which public policy issues should be considered for protection or clarification in Alaska’s constitution.
The Transition Policy Council will be co-chaired by Huber and Moller. Both will also be joining the administration as senior policy advisers to the governor after Dec. 3.
Huber was the campaign manager for Dunleavy. His role was announced earlier this week. He has served in numerous staff roles in the Alaska Legislature and has broad knowledge of Alaska’s key issues.
Moller is the former rural affairs advisor under Gov. Parnell. He is a commercial fisherman who lives in Juneau and he will be advising the governor-elect on rural issues during the transition, and will likely continue in a similar role in the Dunleavy Administration.
Rep. Dan Saddler, who is leaving the Legislature, will serve as the executive director of the Transition Policy Council.
The next formal press conference will be at the Resource Development Council meeting in Anchorage next Wednesday, Saddler said.
Dunleavy will head to Fairbanks for the Alaska Outdoor Council banquet on Saturday, where he will be giving remarks.
