The Landmine has confirmed that Senator Mike Shower (R – Wasilla) submitted his resignation to Senate President Gary Stevens (R – Kodiak), effective November 3. Shower’s resignation is not a surprise as he is Republican gubernational candidate Bernadette Wilson’s running mate. Being in Juneau from January to May for the legislative session would not be practical while running a statewide campaign.   

Shower’s vacancy will trigger a political process in which the Alaska Republican Party submits up to three names to Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) to choose from to replace Shower. Dunleavy must choose a replacement within 30 days of the vacancy, and he is not required to choose anyone from the list. The replacement just needs to be a registered Republican who meets the requirements to serve in the Senate. The replacement then needs to be confirmed by a majority of Republicans in the Senate. 

Shower was chosen by former Governor Bill Walker to replace Dunleavy when Dunleavy resigned from the Senate in January 2018 to run for governor. 

Shower’s most likely replacement will be Representative George Rauscher (R – Sutton), who announced in early September that he would run for Shower’s vacant seat. Rauscher is widely respected and has a good relationship with Dunleavy. 

If Dunleavy chooses Rauscher and he is confirmed (which should not be an issue), the vacancy process will repeat for Rauscher’s open seat. 

Representative Kevin McCabe (R – Big Lake) and Republican Doug Massie could also be considered. Massie, the former head of the Wildlife Troopers, unsuccessfully challenged Shower in 2022. He filed to run again in June, but has not announced whether he plans to run for the Senate seat or challenge McCabe. 

Shower also serves as the minority leader in the Senate. The six-member Republican minority will need to choose a new leader before the next legislative session starts on January 20. 

Senator Shelley Hughes (R – Palmer), who is running for governor, told the Alaska Political Report that she will also resign her Senate seat, though she has not yet said when. Like Rauscher, Representative Cathy Tilton (R – Wasilla) is running for Hughes’ open seat. Tilton would likely be chosen as Hughes’s replacement, though Representative DeLena Johnson (R – Palmer) could also be considered.

If Tilton’s is chosen to replace Hughes when she resigns, the vacancy process will repeat for Tilton’s open seat.