(The Center Square) – Alaska’s new attorney general has committed to upholding the law and protecting the rights of Alaskans, this following a lengthy background of public service that includes a role as a U.S. attorney and a time as a senior official in the Department of Justice, the latter responsibility taking place during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Thursday in a statement of his appointment of Stephen J. Cox to the state’s position of attorney general: “Stephen Cox brings a wealth of experience to the Attorney General’s office, and I am confident in his ability to serve Alaskans well.”
“From his service in the U.S. Department of Justice to his leadership on complex work here in Alaska, Stephen has demonstrated a wide breadth of experience and steadfast dedication to the rule of law,” Dunleavy said.
Cox said in the release that he is “honored” the governor invited him “to be a part of the Alaska story” and is grateful to both Dunleavy and the Alaskan people for the “opportunity to serve.”
“The duties are broad, but the role of the Attorney General begins and ends in Alaska and with its people,” Cox said. “It is a privilege to step into this role, and I am committed to serving with fairness and justice.”
“Since 2011, I have been privileged to work on Alaska’s development, and my family and I were blessed with the opportunity to move to Anchorage and make Alaska our home,” Cox said.
“I commit to work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of all Alaskans, and ensure that our state’s laws are enforced with integrity,” Cox said.
In addition to serving as deputy associate attorney general and chief of staff at the Department of Justice, Cox has served as a United States attorney and a lawyer in the private sector, according to the news release.
While serving as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Cox “launched initiatives addressing violent crime, child exploitation, and drug trafficking, and strengthened efforts to combat money laundering and public corruption,” the release said.
Cox also worked as a principal attorney earlier on in his career for Apache Corporation’s Alaska operations, where he focused on “new oil-and-gas ventures and coordinating regulatory efforts in the Cook Inlet region.”
Most recently, Cox served as senior vice president, chief Legal and Strategy officer at investment platform Bristol Bay Industrial (BBI), where he “led the company’s legal and strategic initiatives on major utility, energy, and resource projects that benefited [Bristol Bay Native Corporation’s] Alaska Native shareholders.”
Cox was a part of the William H. Webster Commission on the FBI’s counterterrorism and intelligence operations “in the wake of the 2009 Fort Hood attack,” and he served “as a senior advisor to the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” for a portion of the Bush administration.
Cox resides in Anchorage with his wife and three children.
Cox’s involvement in the Anchorage community includes attending Holy Family Old Cathedral, supporting the Dominican friars of the Western Province “through their Mission Alaska outreach ministry,” as well as serving as a member of the founding board of a “new classical school in South Anchorage,” the release said.
Dunleavy said in the release that Cox “brings a proven record of service and commitment to Alaska.”
“I am pleased that he has agreed to continue his public service as Alaska’s Attorney General, and I look forward to working with him to uphold justice and ensure freedom and opportunity for all Alaskans,” Dunleavy said.
