The state attorney general in each of the 50 U.S. states and territories is the chief legal advisor to the state government and the state's chief law enforcement officer. In some states, the attorney general serves as the head of a state department of justice, with responsibilities similar to those of the United States Department of Justice.
The current party composition of the state Attorneys General are:
- 27 Republicans
- 22 Democrats
- 2 Nonpartisan
The composition for territories and districts are:
- 2 Democrats
- 2 Nonpartisan
- 1 Republican
Selection
The most prevalent method of selecting a state attorney general is by popular election. 43 states have an elected attorney general. Elected attorneys general serve a four-year term, except in Vermont, where the term is two years.
Seven states do not elect an attorney general. In Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wyoming, the attorney general is a gubernatorial appointee. The attorney general in Tennessee is appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court for an eight-year term. In Maine, the attorney general is elected by the state Legislature for a two-year term.
The District of Columbia and two U.S. territories, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, elect their attorneys general for a four-year term. 2014 marked the first year that the District of Columbia and Northern Mariana Islands held an election for the office. In American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the attorney general is appointed by governor. In Puerto Rico, the attorney general is officially called the secretary of justice, but is commonly known as the Puerto Rico attorney general.
Table
List of attorneys general by U.S. states and territories:
Rows of the Attorney General table below are color coded indicating the political party of the office holder.
- Blue indicates Democratic Party
- Pink indicates Republican Party
- Yellow indicates Independent (unaffiliated with a political party)
- Light blue indicates New Progressive Party
See also
- State constitutional officer (United States)
- National Association of Attorneys General
References
External links
- Listing of official State Attorney General websites
