APOC declines to fast-track political ambush complaints against Bernadette Wilson and Zachary Johnson

THE ALASKA STORY

Sept. 11, 2026 – The Alaska Public Offices Commission on Thursday refused to give immediate attention to financial disclosure complaints targeting gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson and lieutenant governor candidate Zachary Johnson, ruling that complainant Joel Borgquist had not justified putting either case on an expedited track.

Commissioners also questioned the timing and circumstances surrounding the complaints, indicating concern that the APOC process was being used less as a corrective process and more as a political hammer to generate opposition during an election.

Borgquist, a political operative, brought both requests, and the commission rejected them during separate hearings Thursday afternoon.

The political overtones were particularly apparent in the complaint against Wilson. She was served with the complaint late at night while attending the Alaska State Fair, and a photographer was conveniently present to document the encounter. Photographs of the service then became exclusive material for a political blog that has written in near-constant opposition to Wilson’s candidacy.

Commissioners pressed Borgquist about when he first obtained the information underlying his allegations and why he waited until that point in the election cycle to file. The questioning amounted to a familiar inquiry: What did Borgquist know, when did he know it, and why did the complaint become an emergency only when it could generate maximum political attention?

The commission’s decision does not dispose of either underlying complaint. It means only that neither case qualifies for an accelerated investigation and hearing.

In the Johnson case, Commissioner Eric Feige said the request had “failed to meet the applicable standard for expedited consideration.”

Commission staff was ordered to issue a report on the Johnson complaint by Sept. 21. Johnson has until Sept. 25 to respond, and Borgquist has until Sept. 28 to reply. A hearing on the merits is to be scheduled by Oct. 8.

The complaint alleges Johnson, who is running with gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, understated rental and business income and failed to disclose fully several limited liability companies and trusts.

Johnson’s attorney, Scott Kendall, told commissioners that an affidavit filed Wednesday night answered the allegations.

“Every business interest Mr. Johnson has has been disclosed,” Kendall said, along with every source of income Johnson received during 2025.

One allegation involves Wild Air Farm, an Indiana property associated with the estate of Johnson’s grandmother. Kendall said Johnson does not own the property and receives no income from it, but rather manages the property without compensation, he said.

Another allegation concerns a lease involving Coyote Lake LLC, which Johnson owns. Kendall said the lease did not take effect until Jan. 1, placing it outside the disclosure’s 2025 reporting period. He also said no rent had been paid.

Kendall said Johnson disclosed both the annual distribution he receives from the Weist Trust and his 25% beneficial interest in it. Johnson marked the trust’s management as “N/A,” Kendall said, because he does not direct its investments.

Borgquist, representing himself, maintained that questions involving the trust and LLC remained unresolved. He argued that voters need complete information about candidates’ financial interests before casting their ballots.

He asked APOC to consider how a non-blind trust could be affected by an officeholder’s actions. He also argued that an LLC’s disclosure obligations may depend upon a person’s involvement in management rather than ownership percentage alone.

Commissioner Dan LaSota asked which allegations remained active following Johnson’s affidavit. Borgquist identified the trust and LLC issues, saying it was for the commission to determine whether the documents were accurate and legally sufficient.

Kendall rejected Borgquist’s effort to compare Johnson’s filings with the recent disclosure case involving former Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. APOC recommended against certifying Taylor before Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom reversed course and certified him.

“I’m not even sure that’s apples and oranges,” Kendall said. “I think that’s apples and king salmon.”

To obtain expedited consideration, Borgquist had to present evidence giving reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred. He also had to demonstrate that, unless immediately restrained, the alleged violation could materially affect the election or cause irreparable harm that could not be adequately addressed through ordinary penalties.

The commission found that he failed to carry that burden in either case.

It is still not clear who Borquist is working on behalf of in filing these complaints, but candidate Dave Bronson would be the beneficiary of such a complaint. Borquist says he is not associated with the Bronson campaign. It’s still possible, and even likely, that a third-party support group for Bronson is his client, as the Bronson campaign has been actively attacking Wilson for many months behind the scenes and through surrogates.

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