"Recall Dunleavy"

To some observers, the cash going toward the recall signifies a deeply partisan political climate where people have starkly different views on the pandemic.

DeWitt said the campaign gathered 62,373 signatures. It needed roughly 9,000 more to hold a recall election.

The ruling comes after the recall campaign sued and won when the Dunleavy administration refused to certify its application.

A special election would be held if Recall Dunleavy submits enough signatures after the general election deadline but before the middle of next April. 

The Alaska Public Interest Research Group submitted a letter to Attorney General Kevin Clarkson’s office on Tuesday asking for an investigation into whether the December fundraiser violated the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

The Alaska Supreme Court says that the recall campaign against Gov. Mike Dunleavy has a legally valid basis and can appear on the ballot.

Separately, the Alaska Alaska Supreme Court this week received new arguments on an appeal that could block the recall.

The justices asked the lawyers for more on whether Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of court funding related to abortions should be placed on a recall ballot.

Assistant Attorney General Margaret Paton-Walsh said if Dunleavy could be recalled for failing to appoint a judge in 45 days, then any governor could be recalled for violating any law. Justice Craig Stowers pushed back.

On Wednesday, the Alaska Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the lawsuit over the legality of the recall election effort against Gov. Mike Dunleavy.