AK-Gov: Former AK governor backs Mike Dunleavy over Mead Treadwell — his own former lieutenant gov.

Former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate and former Republican state Sen. Mike Dunleavy this week.

The catch? Former Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell is also vying for the governor's seat, and formerly served as Parnell's own running mate and lieutenant governor.

What are the details?

Dunleavy announced Parnell's endorsement on his Facebook Tuesday night.

Dunleavy wrote, "I am honored to have Governor Sean Parnell's support! 'When Mike Dunleavy tells you something, you can believe it. He doesn’t tell you one thing in a campaign and do another. Mike Dunleavy puts every Alaskan first. That’s why I’m voting for him.' -Governor Sean Parnell."

According to KTVA-TV, Dunleavy spokesperson Brett Huber declined to elaborate on the endorsement.

Mike Robbins, a spokesperson for the Treadwell campaign, said that Parnell's endorsement was "unfortunate," and downplayed the former governor's support.

“Sean is a good man and everybody has a right to endorse who they choose,” Robbins said in a statement. “[Treadwell] has been endorsed by thousands of Alaskans. Sean is one person who chose to endorse Dunleavy.”

Anything else?

A new poll from Patinkin Research has Alaskan incumbent Gov. Bill Walker (I), who is seeking a second term, improving his standing in the hotly contested race.

A previous poll, presented by the Alaska Correctional Officers Association and conducted by Alaska Survey Research, had Walker at a position of “distant third” in the race for governor. The latest poll shows him coming in second behind Dunleavy, but ahead of Democrat Mark Begich, a former Alaska senator.

The poll did not test a hypothetical three-way matchup among Walker, Begich, and Treadwell.

The general election in November will be a three-way race between Walker, Begich (D), and an as-yet determined Republican. The filing deadline for candidates was June 1.

You can read more about the other gubernatorial candidates here.

The primary is set to be held on Aug. 21.