Bill Walker (American politician)
William Martin Walker (born April 16, 1951) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 11th governor of Alaska, from 2014 to 2018. He was the second Alaska-born governor, after William A. Egan.
Bill Walker | |
|---|---|
| 11th Governor of Alaska | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – December 3, 2018 | |
| Lieutenant | Byron Mallott Valerie Davidson |
| Preceded by | Sean Parnell |
| Succeeded by | Mike Dunleavy |
| Mayor of Valdez | |
| In office 1979–1980 | |
| Preceded by | Mac MacDonald |
| Succeeded by | Stephen McAlpine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Martin Walker April 16, 1951 Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (from 2014) |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (until 2014) |
| Spouse | Donna Walker |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Lewis and Clark College (BS) Seattle University (JD) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Walker was born in Fairbanks to Frances (Park) and businessman Ed Walker; he was raised in Delta Junction and Valdez, Alaska. He obtained a J.D. degree from Seattle University and served as mayor, city councilor, and city attorney for Valdez, and as general counsel for the Alaska Gasline Port Authority. Walker ran for governor of Alaska in the Republican Party primary election in 2010, losing to incumbent Sean Parnell.
Walker ran as an independent in the 2014 election, merging his campaign with that of Democratic nominee Byron Mallott, who became Walker's running mate. Both candidates' prior respective running mates withdrew from the race and the Walker/Mallott ticket defeated Parnell and his running mate, former Anchorage mayor Dan Sullivan. Walker ran for reelection in 2018, but facing low polling numbers and Lieutenant Governor Mallott's resignation, he dropped out of the race on October 19, 2018, and endorsed Democrat Mark Begich. Walker ran in the 2022 election as an independent, but lost to Republican incumbent Mike Dunleavy and Democratic candidate Les Gara.