McGuire campaign says Sara Rasmussen will replace Elizabeth Rexford as lieutenant governor candidate

Lesil McGuire's campaign says former state Rep. Sara Rasmussen will replace Elizabeth Rexford as McGuire's candidate for lieutenant governor, a late-June reshuffle in Alaska's crowded race for governor.

The campaign announced Saturday that Rexford will move from the lieutenant governor slot into a senior policy adviser role. McGuire's campaign said the change followed conversations about "the demands of a statewide campaign, family and how each person can best contribute to Alaska's future."

The announcement is a campaign statement, not yet a verified state ballot update. Alaska Public Offices Commission records surfaced by Alaska News show McGuire and Rexford had filed letters of intent for the 2026 state primary. As of Saturday afternoon, McGuire's campaign website still described the ticket as McGuire and Rexford, while the campaign release provided to Alaska News announced the Rasmussen change.

McGuire framed the change as a team-building decision.

"This campaign has never been about ego," McGuire said in the release. "It has always been about building the strongest possible team for Alaska."

Rasmussen served in the Alaska State House and represented House District 22, an Anchorage district, in the 31st and 32nd Alaska Legislatures as a Republican. In a biography included with the release, the campaign described her as a fifth-generation Alaskan, former state legislator and advocate for pro-business policies, responsible resource development, education and rural broadband.

"It is an honor to join Lesil McGuire in this campaign for Alaska's future," Rasmussen said in the release. "Lesil has the experience, vision and courage to lead our state through the challenges ahead. She is a proven leader and [her] ability to work across party lines to make real and lasting change is unprecedented, and I am proud to stand beside her."

Rasmussen also thanked Rexford, saying she looked forward to working with both McGuire and Rexford as the campaign tries to "bring people together, earn the trust of Alaskans and help elevate Alaska through principled, collaborative leadership."

Rexford said in the release that she decided to serve as senior policy adviser after conversations with McGuire about how she could best contribute to the campaign. She said her work will focus on policy and stakeholder engagement. McGuire said Rexford will advise on housing, energy and affordability and continue voter-engagement work.

Rexford offered what the release described as enthusiastic support for Rasmussen, calling her "an accomplished leader with a proven record of service" and saying she would be an "outstanding partner to Lesil and a strong advocate for Alaskans."