Alaska Governor Sean Parnell

About the Governor:

Alaska’s 10th Governor Sean Parnell was elected as lieutenant governor in November 2006 and became governor in July 2009.

Governor Parnell was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1992 at the age of 29. He was re-elected in 1994 and served one term in the Alaska State Senate from 1996 to 2000. Governor Parnell served on the House Finance Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the Energy Council, and chaired numerous budget subcommittees. Since 1987, he has been an attorney and licensed to practice law in Alaska and Washington, D.C.

In 1973, Governor Parnell came to Alaska at the age of 10, when his father, Pat, was stationed at Fort Richardson. Pat served as an Anchorage assembly member and as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives. Governor Parnell was inspired to run for public office by his father and mother who are guided by strong ethical values.

Governor Parnell graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1980. He went on to earn a bachelor of business administration degree from Pacific Lutheran University. He also earned a Juris Doctorate from University of Puget Sound School of Law (now known as Seattle University School of Law). For many years, Governor Parnell owned a small law practice located in Anchorage.

Sean Parnell married his wife, Sandy, in 1987. They have two daughters, Grace and Rachel, and a yellow lab, Annie.

The Parnell administration is focused on two priorities: creating economic opportunities and safe, healthy families. Governor Parnell is devoted to ensuring a stable economy and helping Alaskans build a positive future in the 49th state.