Gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy has named three campaign co-chairs: Dick Randolph of Fairbanks, Kristie Babcock of Kenai, and John Moller of Juneau.
“I am honored that these distinguished Alaskans have stepped forward to offer their experience, knowledge, and leadership skills to help advance my campaign,” said Dunleavy. “I couldn’t ask for a better mix of experience in business, politics, and knowledge of Alaska’s diverse communities than Dick Randolph, John Moller, and Kristie Babcock. All three share my strong commitment to bring back economic prosperity for the people of Alaska, to protect the Permanent Fund, and to ensure our state government abides by Constitutional principles.”
Randolph is a business owner and former state lawmaker from Fairbanks, who has worked as a school teacher, miner, and a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay. Randolph ran as a Libertarian candidate for Governor in 1982, and as a Republican primary candidate for Governor in 1986. He is known as the “Father of the Income Tax Repeal,’ since he spearheaded the successful effort to repeal the state income tax in 1979-80.
John Moller is a Juneau commercial fisherman and former Dutch Harbor crab boat skipper. Moller served nearly six years as senior rural affairs advisor under Gov. Sean Parnell. He also served as the general manager of a community development quota (CDQ) group for more than a decade, working from Adak to Nome, and Juneau to Washington, D.C. Moller is a partner with Parnell in Navigate North Consultants, providing executive leadership and public policy advice for businesses, local governments and non-profits. He owns his own consulting business, providing advice on matters related to rural and Arctic Alaska. Moller is married with four children.
Kristie Babcock is a business owner and soccer mom from Kenai. Raised in Anchorage, she has also lived in Wasilla, Juneau, Ninilchik and Soldotna. Babcock served as director of Boards and Commissions for Gov. Frank Murkowski and for Gov. Walter Hickel, managing and advising on gubernatorial appointments to the state’s 150 boards and commissions, judicial appointments, and exempt state positions. She was the youngest member of Gov. Hickel’s senior staff (1991-1994). Babcock served on the 2004 Conference of Alaskans, a group of 55 Alaskans convened to discuss the state’s budget challenges, where she stood out as an unwavering defender of the Permanent Fund dividend.
