Rena Delbridge photo

Gov. Sean Parnell talks to media in his Anchorage office as he nears a milestone of 100 days in office.

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Nearly 100 days have passed since Gov. Sean Parnell was sworn into office, stepping up as Sarah Palin left the job with nearly a year and a half to go in her first term.

Up until then, Parnell had served as Alaska's elected lieutenant governor and, earlier, made a mark as a fiscally conservative legislative leader. People with their eyes on Alaska politics wondered if the former lieutenant governor would differentiate his administration from his predecessor's, or if he would toe the Palin line.

While fielding media questions from his Anchorage office on Thursday, Parnell said he's thankful the chaotic days of the Palin administration are past, and that he's able to focus on the issues without distractions, like the wave of national media that sometimes swept in on Palin, even at home in Alaska.

"I think I have a calmer existence here than Gov. Palin experienced," Parnell said. "I'm thankful to be here -- I'm thankful that we're in this moment where we're focused on Alaskan issues for Alaskans. Frankly, I think she would be -- she's thankful, too."

Palin has said she resigned in part because she felt politics and the national spotlight could thwart her effectiveness during the rest of her term.

Same values, new style

Taking office at the end of July, Parnell said right off the bat he held many of the same values as his former boss, but that Alaskans would see a different leadership style that's all his.

And they have. That style is pretty calm and somewhat quiet, and that's not passing without notice.

"We're actually kind of excited about the comparative lack of drama," said House Minority Leader Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau. "It's really a true thing. Sean has brought a calmness, and a work-with-you instead of taking-all-the-limelight approach. That's really appreciated by everybody."

When he makes himself available to the press, it's usually solo, without the retinue of commissioners reporters grew accustomed to seeing with Palin. He hasn't begun communicating state plans or his activities via Twitter, and legislative leaders say he's initiated a respectful relationship with that branch of government.

"Normally before these decisions come out, (Parnell) has had the courtesy to call me and inform me of what he's doing ... so we're not caught cold-footed," House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said.

That's a far cry from the relationship between Palin and lawmakers during the 2009 session, when press releases served as the main conduit for information from the governor's third-floor office.

"It is a breath of fresh air when I have the governor calling me, telling me what his plans are, versus us having to see it in a press release," Chenault said. "I think it's just common courtesy. I certainly do appreciate it. We will reciprocate."

Parnell's addresses to chambers of commerce and other groups have been brief, the time filled taking questions instead of making speeches. He's kept a busy schedule traveling the state, talking with community and business leaders, making use of his high-profile position to encourage kids to stay in school and be healthy, and advocating before national audiences for Alaska's right to develop its resources.

His style netted a strong response in a recent survey of several hundred people in Anchorage. In the Dittman Research and Communications poll, 81 percent of those surveyed said Parnell, who hopes to retain the office in next year's election, is doing a good job.

Rebuilding relationships

The new governor is also mending fences with lawmakers, who endured a difficult relationship with Palin through the 2009 session.