By SUZANNE DOWNING
May 14, 206 – Just hours after the Alaska Legislature rejected Stephen Cox’s confirmation as attorney general, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday that Cox will remain in the administration as the new Counsel to the Governor.
The move keeps Cox in a senior legal advisory role after a contentious joint session vote in which all Democrats and a handful of Republicans voted against confirming him as the state’s top law enforcement officer.
In a statement released Thursday, Dunleavy praised Cox’s legal background and explained the appointment.
Legislature votes down confirmation of Stephen Cox as Alaska Attorney General
“Stephen Cox has a strong understanding of Alaska law and the challenges facing our state,” Dunleavy said. “His experience, professionalism, and commitment to public service make him a valuable asset as Counsel to the Governor.”
According to the governor’s office, Cox will advise Dunleavy on legal, regulatory, and constitutional issues affecting the state and will continue working closely with the Department of Law and executive branch agencies on legislation, policy initiatives, and executive actions.
Cox had served as attorney general since last fall after the resignation of former Attorney General Treg Taylor. His confirmation failed Thursday during the first of several confirmation votes before the House and Senate meeting in joint session.
Lawmakers opposing Cox raised concerns ranging from his role in creating a solicitor general position within the Department of Law to legal briefs involving election law and transgender policies filed before he came to Alaska. Some legislators also argued he lacked deep ties to the state.
Following the failed confirmation vote, Dunleavy named longtime Department of Law official Cori Mills as acting attorney general. Mills has worked for the department for 14 years and most recently served as deputy attorney general.
Cox said he intends to continue serving the administration in his new capacity.
“I am honored to serve Governor Dunleavy and the people of Alaska in this new role,” Cox said in the statement. “I look forward to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to promote responsible resource development, governance and opportunities for Alaskans across the state.”
The appointment takes effect immediately.
Earlier coverage of the confirmation vote can be found at The Alaska Story.
9 thoughts on “Breaking: Dunleavy names Stephen Cox his new Counsel to the Governor”
Dunleavy’s Revenge.
Good medicine for Democrats with habitual diarrhea.
What about the Republicans who can’t see a quality candidate when they’re face to face with one?
I’m sick to death of the Republican Party. I begin to loathe them more than the Democrats. At least with the Dems, you can count on their consistency.
Republicans turn out to be hypocrites and turncoats more often than not.
Give us your reasons, Republicans who voted against Cox. Why is he so scary you couldn’t abide him until December? Or was it the fear that the next Governor might have the brains to keep him on? Do you have someone more qualified waiting in the wings?
Maybe the next Governor should appoint Scott Kendall as attorney general. Then the Republicans would undoubtedly be dumb enough to confirm him without question.
Sally, quit hyperventilating. There’s only a handful of turncoat Republicans. Unfortunately, that handful is enough to tilt our state government to the Left. Get involved. You need to be proactive. Identify the numbs, work hard to get them removed at election time. As for Scott Kendall: fight fire with fire.
He’s a crooked little man. Suzanne does a great job investigating his crooked little schemes. And don’t forget……Kendall screws up often. He and Byron Mallot (the pedophile Lt. Governor) were the prime reasons why Bill Walker removed himself from the governors office.
I’m one of them, Ted. I’ve had diarrhea for nearly 50 years. Between that and my love for hard spirits, I can’t tell if I’m coming or going. But another snort and fart with my wonderful writing keeps a few donations in my piggy bank. Still, liberal Democrats are the stingiest donors on the planet.
Derm.
Tit for Tat: Governor Dunleavy please veto the pension bill.
Dunleavy has given examples of the importance of knowing the rules of the game and beating your opponents/enemies
The next Republican governor will also need to be politically savvy, politically perceptive, and politically shrewd; so she or he can move through a potentially contentious 2027 legislature.
Thanks, Tina, for reminding me about
Dunleavy’s ability to play chess while the Democrats are still learning about checkers. I now understand the necessity of this new position for Mr. Cox.
There are thousands of unnecessary jobs created in state and local government by Democrats. That’s how they maintain power. I guess I need to write a more balanced article next time. All of that high-octane booze keeps me off balance. At least that’s what my psychiatrist told me.
Cheers,
Derm
Dermutt,
Your psychiatrist is only half correct. There’s obviously more. Long-term mental health care for old lefty guys like you is problematic because let’s face it, for old schmucks, it’s all down hill from here. But if you want to talk about it, my office is taking appointments.
Leave your bottle at home.
Corruption, right out in the open. How can any thinking Alaskan support the creation of new jobs out of thin air, just to keeps ones political cronies on a high paid government job.
A bigger question is, ‘why does the governor have so much money in his office slush fund that he can hire highly paid aids on a whim’? This part of the budget needs to be trimmed down, way down. In the past, loyal Republicans have threatened to stop all cooperation with the majority if the governors budget was trimmed. Where are the fiscally conservative Republicans?