Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy announced changes to his senior staff: Tuckerman Babcock will assume the role of Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Affairs and Ben Stevens will become the Governor’s new Chief of Staff, Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Matt Shuckerow/State of Alaska)

Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy announced changes to his senior staff: Tuckerman Babcock will assume the role of Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Affairs and Ben Stevens will become the Governor’s new Chief of Staff, Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Matt Shuckerow/State of Alaska)

Babcock moves from chief of staff to senior policy advisor

Babcock said he’s excited to serve in his new role.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Wednesday Tuckerman Babcock will be moved from his role as the chief of staff, replaced by former state Sen. Ben Stevens.

Babcock, who has served as the governor’s chief of staff since Decemeber, will now assume the role of senior policy advisor for strategic affairs, a release from the governor’s office said.

“It’s been a privilege to have Tuckerman Babcock serve as my Chief of Staff, and I’m grateful for his continued service and commitment to the State of Alaska,” Dunleavy said in the release. “I’m confident that both Ben and Tuckerman’s leadership will continue to help us carry out this administration’s goals and agenda.”

In the release, Babcock said he’s excited to serve in his new role.

“This is a move I requested of the Governor; which allows me to concentrate on the areas I can best serve the Governor’s agenda,” Babcock said in the release. “This will be a smooth internal transition. I have enjoyed working with Ben these past eight months and know he is more than qualified to serve as Chief of Staff to Governor Dunleavy.”

In August 2001, Stevens was appointed by Gov. Tony Knowles to the Alaska State Senate, where he went on to serve as the Alaska Senate Majority Leader and later Senate President.

“I’m honored that the Governor would ask me to serve as his Chief of Staff.” Stevens said in the release. “I appreciate the leadership Tuckerman has shown since the transition and I look forward to continue working with him as we move the Governor’s agenda forward.”

The staff changes were announced Wednesday during a meeting of the governor’s cabinet and staff. A staff transition will begin immediately and take place over the next week.

More in News

The Kenai Peninsula College main entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chiappone and Dunstan to speak at the KPC Showcase

Kenai Peninsula College continues its showcase with two new speakers this week and next

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, talks about issues of concern regarding the proposed merger of supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons during a floor speech in the House chamber on Wednesday. (Screenshot from official U.S. House of Representatives video feed)
Begich leads in early results, but Alaska’s U.S. House race won’t be immediately decided

About 245,000 ballots had been counted by 11:32 p.m., and Peltola trailed by about 5 percentage points

The Alaska governor’s mansion on Wednesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is considered a contender for a post in Donald Trump’s second presidential administration. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Election summary: Trump wins, GOP takes over U.S. Senate, Alaska may get new governor

Begich and repeal of ranked choice voting narrowly lead; GOP may lose control of state House.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Voters line up at the polling site at Anchorage City Hall on Nov. 4, 2024. City Hall was one of the designated early voting sites in Alaska’s largest city. It is not a designated site for Election Day voting. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Republicans lose two seats in state House, increasing odds of leadership switch

Rural Alaska precincts had reported few results by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Donald Trump won or was leading as of Wednesday morning in all seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election. (Doug Mills / The New York Times)
Donald Trump returns to power, ushering in new era of uncertainty

He played on fears of immigrants and economic worries to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris.

A voter is handed as ballot at Woodworth School in Dearborn, Mich., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. One of the most consequential presidential elections in the nation’s modern history is well underway, as voters flocked to churches, schools and community centers to shape the future of American democracy. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)
Trump verges on victory, picking up Pennsylvania

Donald Trump has captured Pennsylvania, the biggest prize of the seven battleground… Continue reading

Signs and supporters line the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Unofficial results for the 2024 general election

Preliminary, unofficial election results as of 9:55 p.m.

Poll worker Carol Louthan helps voters submit ballots at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Bjorkman, Ruffridge, Elam and Vance lead in election night results

Several residents said that they came out to vote because they knew this election was “a big one.”

Most Read