Gubernatorial candidate Shelley Hughes has chosen Blake Gettys as her lieutenant governor running mate.

“Blake is a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General who has spent his life serving our country – not in politics, but in uniform,” Hughes announced on April 30. “He brings leadership, discipline, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right.”

Hughes said she chose Gettys because of his “strong leadership” and understanding of “what it means to serve.”

Gettys served as Director, Joint Staff – Alaska Joint Force Headquarters at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. He was also the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, 11th Air Force.

After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, he served on active duty, including as an assistant football coach at the Academy (1988–1989). He later transitioned to the Alaska Air National Guard, joining the 176th Wing.

His key assignments include being appointed by Gov. Sean Parnell to serve as commander of the 176th Wing for the Alaska Air National Guard. Prior to this, he served as Commander of the 176th Operations Group and as Director of Operations for Alaska Joint Force Headquarters-Air.

He was later promoted to Brigadier General.

As a command pilot, he has extensive flight experience. His service includes deployments and support for Alaska’s defense and civil authority missions. He retired from the Alaska National Guard in August 2018 after approximately 30 years of service.

Gettys played college football at the U.S. Air Force Academy as a center on the 1987 roster.

He has deep roots in Alaska, living primarily in the Anchorage area with connections to the Kenai Peninsula, and is married to April Gettys. The couple has been active in local community and faith-based activities.

In 2012, while tending a trap line near his cabin on the Kenai Peninsula, Gettys survived a horrific grizzly bear attack that resulted in severe wounds to his left leg and face. A detailed account of the incident appeared in a 2024 article from American Hunter magazine.

Gettys is also a deeply committed Christian. He shared his testimony on YouTube, where he discussed personal hardships and challenges, including the bear attack, and how his faith has supported him through life’s difficulties.

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