Another leader in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration is leaving her post.
According to a Friday news release, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Price has resigned.
In a Facebook post — first reported by The Alaska Landmine — Price says she was forced to resign.
She says she was told that the administration is “taking public safety in a different direction.”
Whoa. Check out this Facebook post from Amanda Price. “Candidate Dunleavy and his philosophies are not how Governor Dunleavy governs.” Wild. #akleg pic.twitter.com/O6H7fOpVhj
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) February 12, 2021
Price says she believed she was removed because she advocated to improve 911 dispatch services in rural communities in ways that Dunleavy opposed and because she made a decision to remove a person that was “untenable to the Governor.”
Price goes on to say that she is disappointed in the governor and that “Candidate Dunleavy and his philosophies are not how Governor Dunleavy governs.”
A spokesperson for Dunleavy’s office says they won’t respond to Price’s assertions because they don’t comment on personnel issues.
Price faced a contentious confirmation vote in 2019 when Dunleavy nominated her for the post. She had been accused of chronic absenteeism at her previous job.
This is the second abrupt departure from the administration this month. Ten days ago, acting Alaska Attorney General Ed Sniffen resigned as the Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica were reporting on allegations of sexual misconduct.
Dunleavy has appointed Kelly Howell to act as an interim commissioner until Price can be replaced.
