Campbell, in his mid-50s, has been the department's commissioner and head of the state's National Guard since 2003, when the previous governor, Frank Murkowski, also a Republican, appointed him.
Before, Campbell was the executive director of the Anchorage Public Works Department.
His military background includes nine years of active duty in the Air Force, seven years in the California Air National Guard, being vice commander of the 168th Refueling Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, and more than a decade of Guard service in Alaska, according to previous media reports.
He was elected to the Anchorage Assembly in the mid-1980s. He was re-elected twice more.
Campbell took a trip last month with Palin to visit U.S. troops in Kosovo.
Campbell was a vocal supporter during Palin's gubernatorial campaign.
As lieutenant governor, Campbell's chief responsibility will be overseeing statewide elections.
A phone call to Campbell was not immediately returned.
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