Don't be surprised if Dunleavy dumps Kevin Meyer from the ticket

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is searching for a new running mate to replace Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, the Alaska Landmine reports, quoting anonymous sources.

If so, it would not be a surprise. With the new ranked choice voting process, governor and lieutenant governor candidates run as a team. This replaces the primary system that was the political equivalent of Forrest Gump—you never knew what you were going to get.

With the lack of diversity represented by Dunleavy/Meyer, someone other than Meyer is likely to take on the task of guarding the state seal and saying that Dunleavy is doing a great job.

Perhaps Meyer, 65, is ready to retire from the “dream team” on his own. In any case, he will say it is his decision to leave.

In an interview two months ago with Alaska Public Media, it was already clear that Dunleavy was looking elsewhere when reporter Nat Herz asked him if Meyer would be on the ticket.

“Kevin Meyer is our lieutenant governor and unless there’s a change, if there is a change or unless there’s a change, I’ll let you know,” Dunleavy said.

“Are you 100 percent committed to running with him?” Herz asked.

“As of now, yes,” said Dunleavy.

All of which means that Dunleavy won’t be running with Meyer.