Treg Taylor

Treg Taylor
Born	Tregarrick Taylor 19 5, 1976
Nationality	American
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Education	Brigham Young University (BA, JD)
Spouse(s)	Jodi Taylor
Children	6

Tregarrick R. "Treg" Taylor (born May 19, 1976) is an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 33rd Attorney General of Alaska from 2021 to 2025 under Governor Mike Dunleavy. Initially appointed in an acting capacity on January 30, 2021, Taylor was confirmed by the Alaska Legislature on May 11, 2021, following a contentious confirmation process that included objections and debate among legislators. Taylor assumed the position after the abrupt departure of Ed Sniffen, who resigned just two weeks after being appointed to the role amid reports of past misconduct. During his tenure as attorney general, Taylor led the Alaska Department of Law in a range of legal actions, including efforts to defend Alaska's resource development interests and address public safety concerns. He announced his resignation on August 21, 2025, effective August 29, 2025, and subsequently entered the 2026 race for governor of Alaska in September 2025.

Education

Taylor attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Juris Doctor degree. Brigham Young University's law school, known as the J. Reuben Clark Law School, is located on the university's main campus. Taylor's dual education at the same institution provided him with both an undergraduate foundation and professional legal training before he embarked on his career in law.

Career

Early Legal Career

Prior to his appointment as attorney general, Taylor worked in both the private and public sectors of the legal profession. He served within the Alaska Department of Law in the Civil Division, gaining experience in state government legal affairs. His background included work on matters related to state legal representation and regulatory issues. Governor Dunleavy's office noted Taylor's prior experience with the Department of Law when announcing his appointment as attorney general in January 2021.

Appointment as Attorney General

Taylor's appointment as attorney general came under unusual circumstances. Governor Dunleavy had initially appointed Ed Sniffen to serve as attorney general. However, Sniffen resigned from the position only approximately two weeks after being named to the post, following the emergence of reports concerning past sexual misconduct allegations. The sudden vacancy prompted Dunleavy to quickly name a replacement, and on January 29, 2021, the governor announced Taylor as his new choice for attorney general.

The transition was reported on by several Alaska media outlets, with some characterizing the rapid succession of attorneys general as a "switcheroo." Taylor initially served in an acting capacity beginning January 30, 2021, pending confirmation by the Alaska Legislature. The confirmation process proved to be contentious, with some legislators raising objections during debate. Despite the opposition, Taylor was ultimately confirmed on May 11, 2021, becoming the 33rd Attorney General of Alaska.

Tenure as Attorney General

During his tenure as attorney general, which spanned from January 2021 to August 2025, Taylor led the Alaska Department of Law across a variety of legal matters. His office was involved in litigation and advocacy related to Alaska's natural resource interests, federal-state disputes, and public safety initiatives.

Resource Development and Federal Disputes

A significant aspect of Taylor's tenure involved legal actions related to Alaska's natural resource development. The state under Taylor's leadership engaged in disputes with the federal government over land use and resource extraction policies. One notable matter involved the federal government's use of a veto to block a copper and gold mine plan in Alaska, a decision that prompted legal and political responses from the state.

Taylor's Department of Law also pursued legal actions related to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). In July 2024, the department issued a press release concerning legal efforts to defend oil and gas leasing in ANWR, an issue of long-standing importance to Alaska's economy and energy policy.

Additionally, in July 2025, Taylor's office addressed matters related to Alaska's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), further reflecting the department's engagement with federal maritime and resource jurisdiction issues during his tenure.

Public Safety

Taylor's tenure also encompassed efforts related to crime and public safety in Alaska. In July 2025, Taylor publicly stated that crime rates in Alaska were declining, though the claim was met with some wariness given the complexity of crime statistics in the state. Reporting by Alaska's News Source noted that while Taylor pointed to decreasing crime rates, some Alaskans remained cautious about drawing conclusions from the available data.

Legal Services

Under Taylor's leadership, the Department of Law continued to provide legal services to state agencies and the executive branch. The department's Legal Services section handled advisory opinions, contract review, and other governmental legal functions throughout his time in office.

Resignation

On August 21, 2025, Taylor announced his resignation from the position of attorney general, effective August 29, 2025. In his announcement, Taylor highlighted what he described as a record of defending Alaska's interests during his four-and-a-half-year tenure. Governor Dunleavy accepted the resignation and acknowledged Taylor's service, noting that he had been the state's longest-serving attorney general in recent years. Upon Taylor's departure, Stephen J. Cox was appointed as acting attorney general.

Taylor's resignation was widely reported as a precursor to a gubernatorial campaign. The Alaska Beacon noted that Taylor was expected to enter the race for governor following his departure from the Department of Law. Alaska's News Source similarly reported that the resignation opened questions about a gubernatorial run, describing Taylor as the second Dunleavy cabinet official to resign under such circumstances.

2026 Gubernatorial Campaign

On September 17, 2025, Taylor formally entered the 2026 Alaska gubernatorial election, filing as a candidate for governor of Alaska. In his announcement, Taylor referenced his four-and-a-half-year record as attorney general as a foundation for his candidacy. Alaska Public Media reported that Taylor was the tenth Republican to enter the race, reflecting a crowded primary field. The Alaska Beacon counted him as the eleventh candidate overall to announce a gubernatorial bid.

In December 2025, Taylor signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge organized by Americans for Tax Reform, a commitment not to raise taxes if elected governor. The organization publicly commended Taylor for signing the pledge, alongside another Republican candidate, Bernadette Wilson.

Taylor's candidacy and campaign finance activity were subjects of media scrutiny. In early 2026, The Alaska Landmine published an analysis of campaign finance reports for gubernatorial candidates, which included discussion of Taylor's campaign alongside those of other Republican candidates.

Personal Life

Taylor is married to Jodi Taylor. The couple has six children. Taylor is a member of the Republican Party. He attended Brigham Young University for both his undergraduate and law degrees. Taylor has resided in Alaska, where he has built his legal and political career. Specific details about his personal interests and activities outside of his professional life are not extensively documented in available public sources.