Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy Has Discussed Becoming Interior Secretary With Trump’s Transition Team

Not only is Dunleavy close with Trump, but he’s also close with Trump transition co-chair Linda McMahon, whom he spent the Madison Square Garden rally with in a private box.

Mike Dunleavy
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference on his proposed budget. Becky Bohrer/AP

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Donald Trump’s transition team have discussed the prospect of him becoming the next secretary of the interior, three sources familiar with the conversations told NOTUS.

Trump and Dunleavy have a strong relationship dating back to 2018, when he first ran for governor. The then-president endorsed Dunleavy when he was facing a recall in 2019 and when he was up for reelection in 2022. The Alaska governor was an early endorser of Trump in August of 2023, when Trump was facing a full GOP primary field.

But it’s not just Trump and Dunleavy who are close; the Alaska governor also has a strong relationship with Linda McMahon, the co-chair of Trump’s transition team, the three sources told NOTUS. At Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally last month, Dunleavy spent the majority of his time in a private box with McMahon.