Alaska Gov. Dunleavy temporarily replaces chief of staff

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s chief of staff has been temporarily replaced due to family health issues, the governor’s deputy communications director said Wednesday.

Chief of Staff Randy Ruaro has been Dunleavy’s lead administrator since Ben Stevens left the governor’s administration in February 2021. Jeff Turner, the governor’s deputy communications director, said he does not know how long Ruaro will be out of the office.

In Ruaro’s place, the governor has named Tyson Gallagher the acting chief of staff. Normally a deputy chief of staff, Gallagher was hired by the governor in February 2021 from GCI, where he worked as a government-relations specialist. He previously served as an aide to former Rep. Lynn Gattis, R-Wasilla, and former Gov. Sean Parnell. Parnell and Dunleavy are both Republicans.

Gallagher is listed on campaign finance documents as a deputy treasurer for Dunleavy’s re-election campaign and is one of several state officials who hold roles in the campaign.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Lynn Gattis’ hometown is Wasilla.