Today, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the Alaska State Legislature voted on the confirmation of Attorney General Stephen Cox. Cox was not confirmed, receiving 31 nays to 29 yeas.
Stephen Cox was appointed by Governor Dunleavy to fill the vacancy left by Candidate for Governor Treg Taylor. The Legislature was originally scheduled to vote on Cox’s confirmation on Thursday, May 7, but delayed the vote by a week after a contentious set of confirmation hearings.
Representative Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage) spoke in opposition to the confirmation of Stephen Cox. His opposition focused on AG Cox’s creation of Solicitor General position and the hiring of Jenna Lorence. Gray emphasized that Lorence had no previous relationship with the State of Alaska. “I believe Stephen Cox would make a good Attorney General in a state, just not our State.”
Representative Garret Nelson (R-Sutton) spoke in support of the confirmation of Stephen Cox. Nelson emphasized Cox’s qualifications.
Representative Steve St. Clair (R-Wasilla) also spoke in support of Cox’s confirmation. St. Clair also emphasized Cox’s qualifications and called out the “politicization” of those in opposition.
Representative Julie Coloumbe (R-Anchorage) also spoke in support of Cox’s confirmation, highlighting Cox’s Quality of Life initiative in Anchorage, focused on addressing Anchorage’s public safety needs.
Representative Prax (R-North Pole) emphasized Cox’s administrative competency, his humility in recognizing disagreement, and his love of the law.
Senator Loki Tobin spoke in opposition, claiming Cox has spent his time as acting Attorney General fighting culture wars, expanding the Department of Law by creating the Solicitor General position, and hiring out-of-state lawyers. Tobin said the biggest issue for her is Cox’s signing Alaska onto the amicus brief opposing birthright citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. transiently.
Senator Forrest Dunbar spoke in opposition, also focusing on Cox’s signing onto the amicus brief opposing birthright citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. transiently. Dunbar claimed the amicus brief is immoral.
The vote was 19-21 in the House and 10-10 in the Senate.
