Trump Ally Gov. Mike Dunleavy Reportedly Planning 2028 Senate Challenge to Murkowski

Alaska’s Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, is reportedly preparing to launch a 2028 campaign for the U.S. Senate—setting up a major showdown with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken GOP critics.

According to several sources close to Dunleavy who spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, the Alaska governor has quietly begun laying the groundwork for a bid once his term ends.

“He’s not going to quit his term,” one source familiar with his plans said, noting that Dunleavy intends to finish his tenure before pursuing higher office. “She [Palin] never recovered,” the source added, referencing former Gov. Sarah Palin’s early resignation in 2009 to chase national ambitions.

A Governor with Results, Not Rhetoric

Dunleavy has built a reputation as a results-driven executive who avoids the political spotlight and D.C. theatrics. “He’s not about an ego and pushing himself in front of the cameras. He gets stuff done,” one source said. “He doesn’t like the cocktail parties and photo ops.”

Still, those close to him say he understands that serving in Washington may be necessary to advance Alaska’s interests. Though he’s joked that he prefers the state’s Arctic wilderness to “all this concrete,” Dunleavy recognizes the need for a strong, America First voice in the U.S. Senate.

Trump’s Longtime Ally in Alaska

Dunleavy was one of the first governors to endorse Donald Trump during the 2016 election and has since become one of the president’s most trusted allies. “Trump has talked to him before about running and wants him to run,” a source told Fox News Digital.

The Alaska governor also attended President Trump’s August 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson—underscoring his growing influence in Trump’s inner circle.

A Serious Challenge for Murkowski

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, often described as one of the most moderate Republicans in the Senate, has clashed repeatedly with President Trump on key issues, including judicial nominations and impeachment. That friction has alienated much of the conservative base in Alaska, making her increasingly vulnerable to a challenge from a Trump-aligned candidate.

“Obviously there are a lot of frustrations with Sen. Murkowski,” a source said. “Gov. Dunleavy has been not only a successful governor, but a strong ally for him. So it’s only natural that he’d be hearing that from Alaskans — but also from folks in the broader MAGA movement.”

Political analysts agree Dunleavy would pose Murkowski’s most formidable challenge yet. “Conservatives would welcome an opportunity to unseat Murkowski,” one Alaska-based analyst said. “The fact that Trump and Murkowski have had such a strained relationship and Dunleavy and the president have a good relationship is really what has led us to this point.”

Broad Support Across Alaska

Unlike some previous challengers, Dunleavy has built wide-ranging support—even beyond traditional conservative circles. He’s gained respect among Native communities and rural voters through his work on energy development, infrastructure, and education. Those ties could prove decisive in a state where the Native vote often determines close elections.

“Murkowski has never faced a challenger like him,” another source said. “He’s built support that goes beyond just conservatives.”

Murkowski’s Record and the Coming Battle

Murkowski’s political resilience is well known—she famously won re-election in 2010 through a write-in campaign after losing the GOP primary. But with Alaska shifting further toward the Trump-aligned right, and with ranked-choice voting increasingly controversial among conservatives, 2028 could be her toughest race yet.

The contest would pit two of Alaska’s most prominent figures head-to-head:

• Lisa Murkowski — the entrenched moderate senator from a powerful political dynasty.
• Mike Dunleavy — the America First governor backed by President Trump and energized by MAGA voters.

If confirmed, the race would likely become one of the nation’s most closely watched Republican primaries—and a key test of the continuing power of the Trump movement inside the GOP.