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TLDR:
An Anchorage Superior Court judge has ordered backers of Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s reelection campaign to respond to subpoenas. Two Alaska watchdog organizations filed a complaint alleging that the Republican Governors Association (RGA) created a shell entity to improperly spend money in violation of campaign finance laws. The complaint accused the RGA of donating $3 million to an independent expenditure group shortly before new campaign disclosure rules came into effect. The Alaska Public Officers Commission investigated the alleged violations, and both the RGA and the independent expenditure group denied any wrongdoing. The judge has ordered the defendants to respond to the subpoenas within 15 days.
Key Points:
- Anchorage Superior Court orders Governor Dunleavy’s reelection backers to comply with subpoenas in campaign finance case
- Alaska watchdog organizations alleged that the Republican Governors Association violated campaign finance laws
- Groups accused of creating a shell entity to improperly spend money and coordinate with Dunleavy’s campaign
- Judge orders defendants to respond to subpoenas within 15 days
An Anchorage Superior Court judge has ordered supporters of Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s reelection to comply with subpoenas in a campaign finance case. The order comes after two Alaska watchdog organizations, the Alaska Public Interest Research Group and the 907 Initiative, filed a complaint alleging that the Republican Governors Association (RGA) violated campaign finance laws during the lead-up to the 2022 election. The complaint claimed that the RGA created a shell entity called A Stronger Alaska to improperly spend money in Alaska. The RGA had donated $3 million to A Stronger Alaska, an independent expenditure group, shortly before new campaign disclosure rules came into effect.
The complaint also alleged that there was little separation between the RGA and A Stronger Alaska, including shared bank statements and the same key personnel. The Alaska Public Officers Commission (APOC), the state’s political campaign regulator, launched an investigation into the alleged violations. The RGA and A Stronger Alaska denied any wrongdoing and declined to respond to subpoenas issued by APOC. The groups have continued to fight in court to avoid producing requested documents.
Anchorage Superior Court Judge Una Gandbhir recently ordered the defendants to respond to the subpoenas within 15 days. She dismissed some broader subpoenas issued by APOC against the Republican Governors’ Public Policy Committee but said they could be resubmitted with narrower scope. The order highlights the judge’s skepticism regarding arguments made by the RGA and A Stronger Alaska that the requested information had already been provided in testimony before APOC. While the RGA and A Stronger Alaska have not commented on the order, the Alaska Public Interest Group applauded the judge’s decision and emphasized the importance of upholding fair campaign laws.
Scott Kendall, attorney for the watchdog organizations, noted that APOC had waited over a year to receive the requested documents, calling the case “fascinating.” APOC’s executive director, Heather Hebdon, has yet to comment on the order. As the defendants prepare their responses to the subpoenas, the outcome of the case could have significant implications for campaign finance regulations and the transparency of political spending in Alaska.
