Dahlstrom reverses course, will certify Taylor for the November ballot

Treg Taylor will appear on the November ballot for governor. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom reversed a decision she had announced four days earlier.

Dahlstrom said Friday the Division of Elections will certify both nominations. On Aug. 31, she declined to certify them, citing the Alaska Public Offices Commission's recommendation.

The change followed an initial, independent review of candidates' public official financial disclosure statements by the Alaska Department of Law. That informal review found numerous potential discrepancies between filed statements and public records, according to Dahlstrom's office. The department said the review is preliminary and does not determine that any specific candidate violated the law.

"The Department of Law's informal review has raised questions about the recommendations made on August 31," Dahlstrom said. "I will not withhold certification from two candidates on recommendations that, in light of this additional information, I cannot apply with confidence across the field of candidates. Certification decisions have to rest on a process that can be defended as to every candidate."

The department gave the commission an initial working draft of the same information Thursday evening, Dahlstrom's office said. The commission has not acted to reconsider its recommendations, despite the need to finalize the ballots, her office said.

APOC voted 4-1 that Taylor's 2026 disclosure did not substantially comply with state law within 30 days of its due date, which fell July 1. The commission issued its written order on the Taylor matter Aug. 28. Under 2 AAC 50.850(h), the commission may recommend noncertification when it finds a candidate failed to supply required information on a significant source of income.

Alaska News previously covered Dahlstrom's Aug. 31 announcement that she would not certify Taylor's nomination for governor over a late financial disclosure.

The Division of Elections will update the certified candidate list, including the governor and lieutenant governor pairing. The general election is Nov. 3.