Group seeking Alaska governor recall sues over rejected application
The group seeking to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has sued over the rejection of its recall application.
Recall Dunleavy filed the lawsuit in Anchorage Superior Court on Tuesday against the state Division of Elections and its director, Gail Fenumiai.
Fenumiai relied on the advice of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, who rejected each of the four grounds for recall listed on the application.
Recall Dunleavy lawyer Scott Kendall said in a statement that Clarkson’s position was expected.
“After all, he was one of Governor Dunleavy’s chief advisors as he took the radical and unacceptable actions that gave rise to the recall,” Kendall said. “Rather than provide the Division of Elections with independent counsel as he should, Clarkson took it on himself to essentially grade his own homework. It should come as no surprise he gave himself a passing grade.”
The lawsuit said Fenumiai “unlawfully denied Recall Dunleavy and the citizens of Alaska the opportunity to exercise their constitutional and statutory right to recall public officials by refusing to certify the recall application” on Monday.
A Department of Law spokesperson said the department represents the Division of Elections and will review and respond in a timely fashion to the recall lawsuit.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Portfolios announced for cabinet ministers in Canada’s Northwest Territories, CBC News
Finland: Finnish Parliament debates Rinne govt’s first budget proposal, Yle News
Norway: Faced with Trump’s wavering support for NATO, Nordic nations stick together, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Donald Trump backs Alaska governor on Twitter amid recall effort, Alaska Public Media
