In this Sept. 5 file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday agreed to allow a group seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a second signature-gathering phase. (AP Photo | Mark Thiessen)

In this Sept. 5 file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday agreed to allow a group seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a second signature-gathering phase. (AP Photo | Mark Thiessen)

Alaska court allows recall group to begin next phase

A briefing schedule on the appeal is pending

The Alaska Supreme Court agreed Friday to allow a group seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a second signature-gathering phase while it weighs an appeal in the case.

Last month, Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth put a hold on his ruling that would have allowed the Recall Dunleavy group to advance to that next phase. In issuing the stay, Aarseth agreed with arguments from recall opposition group Stand Tall With Mike, which argued that voter confusion could arise if the signature-gathering began and the high court subsequently invalidated part of the recall application.

The order from the Supreme Court Friday said Aarseth “did not expressly consider the harm to Recall Dunleavy resulting from a stay.”

“The loss of several months of signature-gathering in this process is at least a ‘not inconsiderable’ injury,” the order states.

In this Sept. 26 file photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy listens during a news conference in Anchorage. (AP Photo | Mark Thiessen)

In this Sept. 26 file photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy listens during a news conference in Anchorage. (AP Photo | Mark Thiessen)

The order directs the state Division of Elections to prepare petition booklets “forthwith” for issuance to the recall group. The division previously stated that process would take a week, division Director Gail Fenumiai said by email Friday.

A briefing schedule on the appeal is pending.

Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, in a statement, said the division awaits notice on the briefing schedule and “is prepared to proceed according to the order” issued Friday. The Department of Law, which Clarkson oversees, is representing the division in this case.

The division in November rejected the recall application, a decision Fenumiai has said was based on a legal opinion from Clarkson. That opinion found the reasons listed for recall were “factually and legally deficient.” Clarkson is a Dunleavy appointee.

In this Jan. 10 file photo, Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth listens to arguments over an effort to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes | Anchorage Daily News via AP)

In this Jan. 10 file photo, Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth listens to arguments over an effort to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in Anchorage. (Loren Holmes | Anchorage Daily News via AP)

A message seeking comment was left for an attorney with Stand Tall With Mike.

Claire Pywell, who manages the Recall Dunleavy campaign, said the group was grateful for the decision. The group will need to gather 71,252 signatures in seeking to force a recall election.

Dunleavy, a Republican, took office in late 2018, and public anger over deep budget cuts he proposed during his first year helped fuel the recall effort. He has said the recall effort is political.

Grounds for recall in Alaska are lack of fitness, incompetence, neglect of duties or corruption.

Recall Dunleavy, among its claims, said the governor violated the law by not appointing a judge within a required time frame, misused state funds for partisan online ads and mailers, and improperly used his veto authority to “attack the judiciary.”


• This is an Associated Press report by Becky Bohrer.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears boys basketball team pose outside Kodiak High School during their sweep over the Bears this weekend. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
JDHS boys topple Kodiak on the road

Crimson Bears sweep island Bears in two-game series.

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read