Update 5:10 p.m.:
Governor Mike Dunleavy has responded in a press release, ordering U.S. and Alaskan flags to be flown at half-staff for a week.
Governor Mike Dunleavy, First Lady Rose Dunleavy, Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer and Marty Meyer are sending their deepest sympathies today to the family and friends of former Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott. Mallott, 77 years old, passed away this morning in Anchorage.
“The First Lady and myself want to extend our condolences to the Mallott family during this time of great personal loss,” said Governor Dunleavy. “It didn’t matter if it was in the native community, the business sector or public office – Byron was a leader who worked to improve our state for the people of Alaska.”
“Marty and I offer our sincere condolences to the family of former Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott in this time of mourning. Byron had a long history of service to our great state,” said Lt. Governor Meyer.
Governor Dunleavy has ordered the United States flag and Alaska state flag to be flown at half-staff for seven days starting today through sunset Friday, May 15.
Update 3:15 p.m.:
Former Governor Bill Walker took to Twitter to address the death of Mr. Mallott.
Today I lost a dear friend, Byron Mallott, whose love for Alaska and Alaskans knew no bounds. We started out as rivals and soon became close friends. I will miss him greatly. To Toni Mallott and family, our hearts are breaking with yours. Farewell, dear friend, farewell. pic.twitter.com/9NLUdNjYbs
— Bill Walker (@BillWalkerAk) May 8, 2020
Original Article:
Former Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott has died at the age of 77. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the cause of death was a heart attack on Thursday evening.
Mr. Mallott was born and raised in Yakutat. He was active in both the public and private sectors in Alaska since 1965, when he was elected mayor of Yakutat at age 22.
He was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Alaska in 2014, until he agreed to merge his campaign with that of Independent candidate Bill Walker and become Walker’s running mate. Walker and Mallott won the election and were sworn in on December 1, 2014. In 2018, Mallott abruptly resigned.
Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, told ADN: “I think the work that he did outweighed any of the mistakes he may have made, and I hope people will remember him for just the tireless work he put in serving his people, the greater community of Alaska. He believed in our state and wanted the best for our state, and he did his best to see that happen.”
Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon released the following statement: “Byron Mallott was a strong leader in the Alaska Native community for many years, serving as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, President and chairman of Sealaska Corporation, and as Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2018. He was instrumental in the passing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act among other accomplishments. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to his wife Toni, his children and grandchildren and his home communities of Yakutat and Juneau.”
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.