Fall is in the air and the NFL season has officially started! The November 3 general election is just over three weeks away. The main candidates in the governor’s race, U.S. House race, and U.S. Senate race all participated in the Kodiak fisheries debate for their races this week. Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) held a press conference with Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R – Alaska) and other state officials about the decision to put Republican Treg Taylor back on the ballot. The House and Senate Resources held a joint hearing at the Anchorage LIO on the Cook Inlet gas situation. And the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) held a hearing to consider expedited consideration for complaints against Republican Bernadette Wilson and independent Zac Johnson (Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins‘ running mate).
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Governor’s field finally set
The following is an excerpt from this week’s edition of the Alaska Political Report. You can click here for more information about the Political Report. A subscription is $1,299/year per organization. Discounted pricing is available for non-profits and government entities. Our coverage of the budget starts with the governor’s proposed budget, and we track everything in detail through the entire process. If you have any questions or would like to subscribe, please email jeff@akpoliticalreport.com.
After a tumultuous ten days, the Alaska governor’s field is set — unless the Alaska Supreme Court says otherwise.
On Aug. 31, following an Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) recommendation, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-AK) declined to certify Republican Treg Taylor, the fifth-place primary finisher who had moved into the fourth general-election slot after Democrat Tom Begich withdrew. The issue was Taylor’s financial disclosure: he did not list the full last names of tenants at rental properties that are a major source of income.
Taylor’s running mate, Republican Candi English, then became the gubernatorial candidate and named Taylor’s wife, Jodi Taylor, as her running mate. They filed minutes before the 5 p.m. Aug. 31 deadline. That ticket was certified even though Jodi Taylor’s financial disclosure had the same deficiencies as her husband Treg’s.
Four days later, Dahlstrom reversed course and put Treg Taylor back on the ballot, citing a Dept. of Law review that found “widespread potential discrepancies” in other candidates’ filings.
On Labor Day, Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) appeared with Dahlstrom, counselor Stephen Cox (the former attorney general), and Civil Division Director Rachel Witty. They said the department reviewed legislative and gubernatorial candidates’ financial disclosures and flagged potential issues on 91 of more than 120. Several candidates have since said those findings are wrong.
Dunleavy said that absent a Supreme Court order, the ballot is set.
Taylor joined Republicans Bernadette Wilson and Dave Bronson and Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins at the Kodiak fisheries forum on Wednesday night.
This afternoon, APOC took up a request for expedited review of new complaints against Wilson and Zac Johnson, Kreiss-Tomkins’ running mate, regarding their financial disclosures. Staff were directed to investigate and report back by Sept. 21.
Other Happenings
Due to high oil prices and a windfall provision built into the budget, the surplus in FY2026 will be distributed as follows:
$127.9 million to the dividend fund. This will pay a $200 per person energy relief payment alongside the $1,000 PFD in October.
$115 million distributed to school districts based on adjusted average daily membership. This works out to the rough equivalent of a one-time $457 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase.
$15 million will be deposited to the bulk fuel revolving loan fund.
The remaining $341 million will be deposited into the Statutory Budget Reserve (SBR), where it can be accessed by the next Legislature with a simple majority vote.
ANS crude went over $100/barrel on September 9 for the first time since June 10. On September 10, it went from $101/barrel to over $107/barrel.
ANS crude back above $100/barrel. #akleg pic.twitter.com/qDiL9wMrFd
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) September 12, 2026
The long-running Kodiak fisheries debate took place this week for the three statewide races. You can watch the [governor’s debate here](•$127.9%20million to the dividend fund. This will pay a $200 per person energy relief payment alongside the $1,000 PFD in October. •$115 million distributed to school districts based on adjusted average daily membership. This works out to the rough equivalent of a one-time $457 Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase. •$15 million will be deposited to the bulk fuel revolving loan fund. •The remaining $341 million will be deposited into the Statutory Budget Reserve (SBR), where it can be accessed by the next Legislature with a simple majority vote.) and the U.S. House and U.S Senate debates here.
The Joint Resources Committee held a hearing on Thursday (9/10/2026) at the Anchorage LIO on the Cook Inlet gas situation. Presenters included the Division of Oil & Gas and officials from Hilcorp, HEX, and Chugach Electric. Bluecrest was supposed to be there but did not show. They are probably concerned about a letter the state sent them on August 14 telling them if they don’t start developing their leases they are not going to like the consequences. John Hendrix came with the same big talk and no action nonsense he is known for. At one point he even told the committee, “If you want me to run Enstar, I will,” in response to a question about why Enstar didn’t buy gas from Furie in February. All I can say is I hope it’s not a cold winter.
This Week’s Loose Unit
This week’s designee is a real doozy. This week’s Loose Unit is Pennsylvania-based attorney Zach Wallen. Wallen, who is not even licensed to practice in Alaska, appeared before APOC on Thursday on behalf of Bernadette Wilson. Wilson did not show up for the hearing. She probably hired Wallen because she could not find an Alaska attorney to represent her. The word is out that she is not big on paying her bills.
The hearing was to determine if expedited consideration was warranted for a complaint filed against Wilson for not disclosing her ownership in Denali Disposal and list customers who paid the company more than $1,000 in 2025 on her financial disclosure.
Wallen started bad and got worse. He admitted she owns 75% of Denali Disposal but gave a bizarre reason for not listing her interest or customers – she does not drive the trucks, do sales, or even know the customers! Super loose. She did list personal income on her financial disclosure from Denali Disposal in 2025 between $100,000 and $200,000. It’s magic!
Wallen actually needed a five-minute break to look up the law when he was asked by a commissioner why he thought Wilson was not required to list her interest in the business or their customers. You can’t make this shit up. The law is clear on this – Wilson is absolutely required to list her ownership and customers who paid the company more than $1,000. The Commission directed staff to look into the matter and report back by September 21.
The same person who filed a complaint against Wilson for her financial disclosure issue also filed one against Zac Johnson. Unlike Wilson, Johnson showed up to the hearing and had an attorney licensed to practice in Alaska, Scott Kendall.
If you have a nomination for this week’s Loose Unit, or if you have any political news, stories or gossip (or any old pics of politicians or public officials) please email me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.