Palin nominates Sullivan as attorney general

SOLDOTNA, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin on Tuesday appointed a former Anchorage lawyer with White House and State Department service to be Alaska’s new attorney general after her earlier choice was rejected by state lawmakers.

Daniel S. Sullivan, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in the Bush administration, must be confirmed by the Legislature but will serve in the role until lawmakers reconvene in January.

A blue chip resume — including a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and law degree from Georgetown — coupled with his professional experience were hailed as a boon for the state’s law department, which had been the focus of tensions between Palin and lawmakers since she was the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Sullivan is Palin’s third selection for attorney general since taking office. Palin’s last pick was Wayne Anthony Ross, an Anchorage attorney and National Rifle Association director who became the first-ever gubernatorial pick rejected by Alaska lawmakers.

Ross had been nominated to replace Talis Colberg, a prominent figure in Troopergate, the Alaska Legislature’s investigation into Palin’s firing of her former public safety commission.

The legislative probe sought to determine if Palin dismissed the commissioner after he refused to fire a trooper who went through a bitter divorce from Palin’s sister.

Palin had initially agreed to cooperate with the investigation, but then changed her mind after she became Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate, saying the process had become too political.

Colberg filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven of nine state employees challenging legislative subpoenas in the investigation. A judge rejected the lawsuit and the workers later testified.

In February, the Legislature found the governor’s husband, Todd Palin, and nine state workers in contempt for ignoring subpoenas. Colberg resigned four days later, saying it was in the best interest of the state to move on. He’s now mayor of a suburban borough north of Anchorage.

Sullivan was quick to allay any lingering suspicions some lawmakers had with both Colberg and Ross and whether they viewed the attorney general’s position as tacitly being the governor’s attorney.

Sullivan said he has a very clear sense of the responsibilities of the position, as dictated by state statute.

Sullivan said he’s not only the governor’s top legal adviser, but also works closely with the state Legislature. He planned to send a letter Tuesday to all 60 lawmakers underscoring the seriousness in which he views working with everyone.

“As attorney general, the ultimate responsibility and duty is to the laws and the constitution of the state of Alaska,” he said.

Sullivan, 44, would make $122,640 a year as attorney general. In 2002, he became a director on the National Security Council and National Economic Council of the White House. In 2006, he was confirmed as an assistant secretary of state for economic, energy and business affairs.

At the State Department, Sullivan focused on international energy issues, including the Office of the Federal Coordinator for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. He said energy issues would remain a top concern.