By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 25, 2026 – Former Alaska Rep. Carl Morgan, a lifelong Alaskan and longtime advocate for communities along the Kuskokwim River, has died. He was 76.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and First Lady Rose Dunleavy extended their condolences Tuesday to Morgan’s family, friends and the Western Alaska communities he served throughout his public career.
“Rose and I are saddened by the passing of Carl Morgan,” Dunleavy said. “Carl dedicated his life to serving the people of Western Alaska and the state he called home. He was a strong advocate for his community and a committed public servant, and his contributions to Alaska will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Morgan, a Republican, served three terms in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 through 2004, representing a sprawling rural district that included communities across the Yukon-Kuskokwim region. He chaired the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee and also served on committees dealing with transportation, public facilities and the state budget.
His first election to the House was among the closest in Alaska history. Morgan defeated Democrat Irene Nicholia by six votes in 1998 following a recount. Two years later, he defeated Nicholia again, this time by 54 votes, according to an Alaska Division of Elections historical account.
Born Jan. 21, 1950, in Upper Kalskag, Morgan spent his early childhood in the Kuskokwim River community before living in Wrangell and attending Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. He later studied at the Northrup Institute of Technology and completed an electrical apprenticeship.
Morgan worked as an electrician before entering the Legislature. His public service began closer to home, where he served as mayor of Aniak and held leadership positions with the Aniak Traditional Council, the Kuskokwim Native Association and Calista Corporation.
The Alaska Legislature’s historical biography lists Morgan’s wife as Angela and his children as Mona, Mary, Carl (known as Buddy), Sophia, and Philip. At the time the biography was published, the couple had nine grandchildren.
After completing his House service, he remained involved in issues affecting rural Alaska, including subsistence fishing and management of the Kuskokwim River salmon runs.
Dunleavy will order state flags lowered in Morgan’s honor on a date to be determined in coordination with his family.
