Once Alaska was granted the status of United States District civilian leadership could be appointed by the current president of the United States.

President Chester A. Arthur appointed Alaska's first territorial governor.

He was a Republican named John Henry Kinkead.

[4] Martha Ried of Petersberg was the Chair of the Republican Party of Alaska.

[5] After Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski voted to impeach Donald Trump over his role in inciting a pro-Trump mob to attack the U.S. Capitol, the Alaska Republican Party censured her, called for her resignation, and endorsed challenger Kelly Tshibaka against her in the Republican primary in 2022.