It was a busy 2022 election year for state Attorneys General (AGs) with races in 31 of the 43 states with elected AGs, including the District of Columbia. The Orrick State Attorney General Team’s election results report provides a readout from the races in 2022, including the more competitive races (see elections preview report from September).
Leading up to the election, there were 27 Republican AGs and 24 Democratic AGs. This year, we witnessed elections in 14 states with Republican AGs and 17 states with Democratic AGs, a combined total of 31 states. As previously reported, the states that were “in play” (toss-up, lean Democratic, or lean Republican) included: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, and Wisconsin. Those 9 states had 6 Democratic and 3 Republican AGs among them. The only race which flipped control of an AG office was in Iowa, where Republican Brenna Bird defeated incumbent Democrat Tom Miller. The race in Arizona – where Republican AG Brnovich was term limited -- remains too close to call.
In January 2023, 16 Democratic AGs and 14 Republican AGs will be sworn in, plus the eventual winner in Arizona. Because Pennsylvania AG Shapiro was elected Governor and Missouri AG Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate, we will see their replacements appointed by Gov. Shapiro and Gov. Parson, respectively. Depending on the outcome in Arizona, there will either be 27 or 28 Republican AGs and 24 or 23 Democratic AGs in 2023.
Alabama
Arizona
- This race remains too close to call. Latest results show that State Corporation Commission member Kris Mayes (D) is leading former Maricopa County prosecutor Abraham Hamadeh (R) 50.1% to 49.9% with 70% of the votes in. Outgoing two-term Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) was term limited. Arizona’s AG race was one of the key races to watch in 2022.
Arkansas
- Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin (R), who is also a former U.S. House Member and U.S. Attorney, defeated attorney and Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission member Jesse Gibson (D) and write-in candidate Gerhard Langguth. Outgoing two-term Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) is term limited and was elected Lieutenant Governor this election cycle.
California
Colorado
- First-term Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) defeated District Attorney John Kellner (R) and attorney William Robinson (L). Formerly a swing-state, Colorado’s AG and gubernatorial races were won by Democrats once again, cementing its blue state status.
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
- First-term Attorney General Chris Carr (R) defeated State Senator Jen Jordan (D) and Martin Cowen (L). General Carr fended off a primary challenge after defeating Trump-backed Republican candidate John Gordon by 3-1. Georgia traditionally has leaned Republican but has recently become more of a toss-up state. Georgia’s AG race was one of the key races to watch in 2022.
Idaho
- Former U.S. Representative Raúl Labrador (R) defeated attorney Tom Arkoosh (D). Earlier this year, Labrador defeated five-term Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in the Republican primary.
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
- First-term Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) defeated attorney Matthew DePorno (R) and Joe McHugh (L). Michigan has for several election cycles been a toss-up state and the AG race was one of the key races to watch in 2022.
Minnesota
- First-term Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) has been declared the winner over business attorney Jim Schultz (R). Although Minnesota traditionally leans Democratic, it has seen legislative chambers and statewide seats flip in midterm elections. This year, however, the Democrats maintained their majority in the State House and flipped the State Senate. Minnesota’s AG race was one of the key races to watch in 2022, and the margin is less than one percent with over 95% of votes counted.
Nebraska
- State House Speaker Mike Hilgers (R) defeated Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate, Larry Bolinger (a Democratic candidate did not run for the seat). Outgoing two-term Attorney General Doug Peterson (R) did not seek re-election in 2022.
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
- 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.
Ohio
Oklahoma
- Attorney and decorated Air Force Captain Gentner Drummond (R) defeated Army National Guard veteran Lynda Steele (L). Drummond successfully challenged outgoing Attorney General John O’Connor in the Republican primary. AG O’Connor was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2021, after former Attorney General Mike Hunter (R) resigned during his first term.
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
- Former Attorney General and U.S. Attorney Marty J. Jackley (R) won after running unopposed in the general election. Outgoing Attorney General Mark Vargo (R) served out the remainder of the term of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R), who was impeached and removed from office on June 21, 2022.
Texas
Vermont
- Charity Clark (D) defeated H. Brooke Paige (R). Clark served as Chief of Staff to former Attorney General T.J. Donovan (D), who 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.
Wisconsin
- First-term Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) defeated Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney (R). Wisconsin is traditionally a toss-up state, and the AG race was one of the key races to watch in 2022.
Washington, D.C.
- Brian Schwalb (D), partner-in-charge of Venable’s Washington, D.C. office won after running unopposed in the general election. Outgoing two-term Attorney General Karl Racine (D) did not seek re-election.
