Mike Dunleavy today received the endorsement of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, a major Native corporation doing business in and outside of Alaska.
At a special meeting of the board of directors in Utqiagvik (Barrow), today, the corporation sealed the endorsement after incumbent Bill Walker dropped out of the race.
When it came down to considering the policies and priorities of each of the two remaining top candidates, the choice became clear, said Rex Rock Sr. ASRC president and CEO.
“As a state, we must continue our progress toward advancing opportunities for safe and responsible resource development, as well as a push toward more sustainable state spending. We believe Mike Dunleavy is closely aligned with our values, which will create additional stability in our communities as well as opportunities for our shareholders,” he said.
The group met with Dunleavy in Barrow earlier this week said Crawford Patkotak, ASRC board chairman. “We need his strong leadership now more than ever in Juneau.”
Earlier in the week, Dunleavy had also won the endorsement of Calista Corp., another major Native corporation.
With ASRC on board, that means two of the 12 Alaska-based Regional Native Corporations have thrown their support to the Republican nominee.
ASRC has returned over $1 billion in dividends to shareholders since its inception, and has distributed over $90 million to support socioeconomic opportunities in the North Slope region, including scholarships and training programs to Iñupiat.
The company is one of the largest private landowners in Alaska, with ownership of 5 million acres of land, much of which has a high potential for development of petroleum, timber, fish, game, and tourist development. Among its land holdings is the Alpine Oil Field.