2 minute read
January.09.2023
In the 2022 midterm elections, 31 states had contested Attorneys General elections, producing 14 new state AGs. In addition, there are three other new AGs, in Hawaii, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, for a total of 17 new state AGs. The Arizona AG race was decided by just 510 votes, triggering an automatic recount. On December 29, 2022, Judge Timothy Thomason confirmed that Kris Mayes won the race for attorney general by a 280-vote margin. In Missouri, AG Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate; his successor recently was appointed by the Governor to fill out his term. In Pennsylvania, AG Shapiro was elected governor and First Deputy Attorney General Michelle Henry (a former Republican county district attorney) will begin serving as AG when she is sworn in on January 17, 2023. In Hawaii, Gov. Green announced that health care executive Anne Lopez will become attorney general after former AG Holly Shikada’s term expired in December 2022.
Below, you will find a table summarizing all of these changes. It is one of several charts that are included in the Orrick Public Policy Group's report, "The New State Attorneys General: Profiles and Priorities.” The report provides an overview of each new AG's background and a summary of their stated priorities as their states' top legal officers. The report is easy to navigate: use the bookmarks feature in your PDF app or simply click on the new AG's name in the table of contents.
State AGs are more active and influential than ever, and it's crucial to know who they are and how they're prioritizing their offices' resources. We hope this report will be a useful resource for your colleagues and you.
State |
Incumbent |
Open Seat? |
Newly Elected |
Arizona |
Mark Brnovich |
Yes |
Kris Mayes |
Arkansas |
Leslie Rutledge |
Yes |
Tim Griffin
|
Hawaii |
Holly Shikada |
Yes |
Anne Lopez[1] |
Idaho |
Lawrence Wasden |
No |
Rául Labrador |
Iowa |
Tom Miller |
No |
Brenna Bird |
Kansas |
Derek Schmidt |
Yes |
Kris Kobach |
Maryland |
Brian Frosh |
Yes |
Anthony Brown |
Massachusetts |
Maura Healey |
Yes |
Andrea Campbell |
Missouri |
Eric Schmitt |
Yes |
Andrew Bailey[2] |
Nebraska |
Doug Peterson |
Yes |
Mike Hilgers |
New Mexico |
Hector Balderas |
Yes |
Rául Torrez |
North Dakota |
Wayne Stenehjem |
Yes |
Drew Wrigley[3] |
Oklahoma |
John O'Connor |
No |
Gentner Drummond |
Pennsylvania |
Josh Shapiro |
No |
Michelle Henry[4] |
South Dakota |
Mark Vargo |
Yes |
Marty Jackley |
Vermont |
T.J. Donovan[5] |
Yes |
Charity Clark |
Washington, D.C. |
Karl Racine |
Yes |
Brian Schwalb |
[1] On December 2, 2022, Governor Josh Green announced that he is appointing health care executive Anne Lopez as Hawaii’s next Attorney General. Ms. Lopez will succeed AG Holly Shikada whose term expired in December 2022. AG Shikada was appointed to succeed former AG Clare Connors who resigned as AG to accept an appointment as the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii.
[2] On November 23, 2022, Governor Parson announced that he is appointing his general counsel, Andrew Bailey, to become Missouri’s next Attorney General. Mr. Bailey will serve out the remaining two years of Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s term. General Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate in this past election cycle. Mr. Bailey has already indicated that he plans to run for a full four-year term in 2024.
[3] Interim Attorney General Drew Wrigley (R), a former U.S. Attorney and Lieutenant Governor, defeated attorney Timothy Lamb (D). Wrigley was nominated by Governor Burgum to serve out the remainder of the term of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (R), who unexpectedly passed away at the beginning of 2022.
[4] On January 17, 2023, AG Josh Shapiro will be sworn in as Pennsylvania’s Governor. On that day, First Deputy Attorney General Michelle Henry, will begin serving as Attorney General
[5] Attorney General T.J. Donovan (D) stepped down on June 20, 2022, to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Outgoing Attorney General Susanne R. Young (R) was appointed to complete the remainder of General Donovan’s term and did not seek election to the office.