By SUZANNE DOWNING
April 28, 2026 – The Alaska Legislature is preparing to take up the confirmation of Acting Attorney General Stephen Cox, with a series of hearings scheduled in the coming days before a final vote in joint session next week.
Cox, who has served in the role for the past eight months, will first appear before the Senate State Affairs Committee on Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 pm, followed by a hearing in Senate Judiciary on Friday at 1:30 pm. His confirmation process will then move to the House Judiciary Committee on May 4 at 1 pm, before lawmakers convene in a joint session on May 7 for a final up-or-down vote.
The confirmation hearings come as Cox builds a record focused on public safety, consumer protection, and coordination with federal agencies, areas that have taken on heightened importance during the final stretch of the Dunleavy administration.
A review of his career shows that Cox entered the job with significant federal and private-sector experience, including service as a former US Attorney and Deputy Associate Attorney General, where he handled complex civil and criminal matters and helped shape national enforcement policy. That background has translated into a governing approach that emphasizes coordination across agencies and jurisdictions, particularly in areas like drug interdiction, retail theft, and repeat offenders.
During his time as acting attorney general, Cox prioritizes what he describes as “quality-of-life” enforcement, working with Anchorage law enforcement and prosecutors to target repeat offenders and close jurisdictional gaps. His office has also elevated drug interdiction efforts, focusing on supply routes such as air cargo, mail, and maritime transport, while partnering in multi-agency efforts targeting sex trafficking.
Consumer protection has emerged as another central focus. Under Cox’s leadership, the Department of Law secured settlements with tobacco companies totaling more than $7 million and pursued enforcement actions against deceptive pricing practices in the private sector. The office has also taken steps to address grocery pricing discrepancies and unauthorized fundraising platforms, positioning consumer enforcement as a more visible function of the department.
Cox’s tenure has also included direct engagement with major corporations and industries operating in Alaska, including efforts to address airline cooperation with law enforcement and a statewide review of insurance underwriting practices affecting Alaskans. At the same time, he has led a broader regulatory reform initiative aimed at reducing discretionary rules by 25 percent and improving permitting timelines.
His longtime work with federal agencies is also a key asset, citing coordination with departments such as Justice, Interior, and Energy to advance Alaska priorities and reduce regulatory friction. That engagement has included resolving long-standing disputes, such as a federal-state agreement involving the Fortymile River, and participating in multi-state litigation, including a recent US Supreme Court case in which Alaska’s position prevailed.
Cox has also emphasized ethics and institutional integrity, reviewing outside counsel relationships for conflicts of interest and taking corrective actions where concerns were identified. His approach to the role has been described as measured and restrained, with an emphasis on legal grounding and long-term outcomes rather than short-term political wins.
With the confirmation vote approaching, lawmakers will weigh whether to keep Cox in the role through the remainder of the administration, which ends in December, or open the position to a new appointee. The final decision will come May 7.
