[2] He became Head of Altai Krai in 2005, replacing Mikhail Kozlov, who assumed the post of acting head after the death of Mikhail Yevdokimov.

In December 2007, the administration changed the title of the position to the Governor of Altai Krai.

In July 2014, he resigned from his post, but was immediately appointed as the acting governor and ran in the September 2014 elections.

In the election, he took 73% of the vote, defeating Sergey Yurchenko, who managed on 11%.

[2] On August 13, 2010, Alexander Karlin made a controversial decision to fire the mayor of Barnaul who was legitimately elected in 2008.