It will be a busy election year in 2022 for state Attorneys General (AGs) with races in 31 of the 43 states with elected AGs, including the District of Columbia (which we count among the states in this report). The Orrick State Attorney General Team’s election preview provides a snapshot of the races in 2022, including the current slate of candidates.

Currently, there are 27 Republican AGs and 24 Democratic AGs. In 2022, elections will be held in 14 states with Republican AGs and 16 states with Democratic AGs. The following states will likely be “in play” (toss-up, lean Democratic, or lean Republican): Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, and Wisconsin. In those states, there are presently 5 Democratic AGs and 3 Republicans.

The Orrick State AG Team will provide timely election updates, including reports on key primary elections throughout the spring and summer. In the fall, we’ll provide a final pre-election update and after the November election, we’ll provide a post-election report and analysis.

Alabama

• Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) was first appointed to this position in 2017 and was elected in 2018 with 58.8 percent of the vote. Attorney General Marshall is seeking reelection in 2022. There are currently no other candidates. Alabama is traditionally a strong Republican state and will likely remain that way in 2022.

Arizona

• Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) is finishing his second term and is term limited under Arizona law. General Brnovich has announced that he is running for U.S. Senate to challenge Senator Mark Kelly. The open AG seat is garnering significant interest, with six Republicans expressing strong interest and three of those already running. Although Arizona leans Republican, Arizona will likely be in play in 2022 and is one of the AG races to watch.
• The primary election will be held on August 2, 2022.

Democratic Candidates
Kris Mayes (former state Corporation Commission member)
Robert McWhirter (criminal defense attorney in private practice)
Diego Rodriguez (former State Rep.)

Republican Candidates
Lacy Cooper (former Assistant U.S. Attorney)
Rodney Glassman (former Democrat who challenged Sen. McCain in 2010)
Andrew Gould (former Arizona Supreme Court Justice)
Dawn Grove (former Tucson City Councilmember)
Abraham Hamadeh (former deputy county prosecutor)
Tiffany Shedd (former U.S. House candidate)

Arkansas

• Like Attorney General Brnovich, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) is finishing her second term, is term limited, and is seeking another statewide office. General Rutledge is running for lieutenant governor. Currently, there are two Republicans and one Democrat running to succeed her. Arkansas has become a more solid Republican state and will remain Republican in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on June 21, 2022.

Democrat Candidate
Jesse Gibson (trial lawyer)

Republican Candidates
Tim Griffin (Lt. Governor, former U.S. House member, former U.S. Attorney)
Leon James (executive director of State housing commission)

California

• Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) is up for election. Bonta was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and was sworn in on April 23, 2021, after Attorney General Xavier Becerra was appointed as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. California is traditionally a strong Democratic state and will remain so in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on June 7, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Steven Bailey (retired Superior Court judge)
Eric Early (former U.S. House candidate)
Nathan Hochman (former Assistant U.S. Attorney)

Independent Candidate
Anne Marie Schubert (Sacramento County District Attorney)

Colorado

• Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) was first elected in 2018 with 51.6 percent of the vote. Last week, District Attorney John Kellner (R) announced his candidacy to challenge General Weiser in the November elections.

Republican Candidate
John Kellner (18th Judicial district attorney)

Connecticut

• Attorney General William Tong (D) was first elected in 2018 with 52.5 percent of the vote and is running for reelection. He currently is unopposed. Connecticut is traditionally a strong Democratic state and will remain so in 2022.

Delaware

• Attorney General Kathy Jennings (D) was first elected in 2018 with 61.3 percent of the vote and is running for reelection. Currently, there are two Republican candidates. Delaware is a strong Democratic state and will remain so in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on September 13, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Julianne Murray (former gubernatorial candidate)
Charles Welch (former State Rep. and judge)

Florida

• Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) was first elected in 2018 with 52.1 percent of the vote and is running for reelection. Currently, there is one Democrat running to oppose her. Florida has become a stronger Republican state and will likely remain that way in 2022.

Democrat Candidate
Jim Lewis (criminal defense attorney)

Georgia

• Attorney General Chris Carr (R) was first elected in 2018 with 51.3 percent of the vote and is running for reelection. Currently, there is one Democrat running against him and (unlike Gov. Kemp and Secretary of State Raffensperger) he has no Trump-backed primary challenger. Georgia traditionally has leaned Republican, however, recently it has become more of a toss-up state. Georgia will be one of the key states to watch in 2022.

Democrat Candidate
Jen Jordan (State Senator)

Idaho

• Attorney General Lawrence Wasden (R) was first elected in 2002 and is running for reelection. Currently, there are three Republican primary candidates challenging General Wasden and no Democratic candidates. Idaho is a strong Republican state; therefore, the winner of the primary will likely be the next attorney general.
• The primary election will be held on May 17, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Dennis Boyles (attorney)
Raul Labrador (former U.S. Representative)
Arthur Macomber (attorney)

Illinois

• Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D) was first elected in 2018 with 54.7 percent of the vote and is running for reelection. Currently, General Raoul has no challengers. Illinois is a strong Democratic state and will likely remain that way in 2022.

Iowa

• Attorney General Tom Miller (D) was first elected in 1978 and is running for reelection in 2022. He was re-elected in 2018 with 76.5 percent of the vote, up from 56.1 percent in 2014. Currently, he faces one Republican challenger. Iowa is becoming a stronger Republican state, but AG Tom Miller has held his office as a Democrat despite the rise of the Republican Party in that state.

Republican Candidate
Brenna Bird (County Attorney)

Kansas

• Attorney General Derek Schmidt (R) was first elected in 2010 and is not seeking reelection in 2022 but is running for governor instead. Currently, one Democratic candidate and three Republican candidates are running to succeed AG Schmidt. Despite Kansas electing a Democrat Governor in 2018, Kansas is traditionally a strong Republican state and will likely remain that way in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on August 2, 2022.

Democrat Candidate
Chris Mann (former deputy county prosecutor)

Republican Candidates
Kris Kobach (former Secretary of State)
Tony Mattivi (former Assistant U.S. Attorney)
Kellie Warren (State Senator)

Maryland

• Attorney General Brian Frosh (D) was first elected in 2014 and is not seeking reelection in 2022. Currently, two Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate are running to succeed him.
• The primary election will be held on June 28, 2022.

Democratic Candidates
Anthony Brown (U.S. Representative and former Lt. Governor)
Katie O’Malley (retired district court judge and former First Lady of Maryland)

Republican Candidate
Jim Shalleck (former prosecutor and former NY Assistant AG)

Massachusetts

• Attorney General Maura Healey (D), first elected in 2014, is not seeking reelection. She has announced that she is running for governor instead. Currently, there are two Democratic candidates for AG and no announced Republican candidates. Massachusetts is a strong Democratic state and will likely remain that way in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on September 20, 2022.

Democratic Candidates
Quentin Palfrey (former Assistant AG and candidate for Lt. Governor)
Shannon Liss-Rioridan (trial lawyer, former U.S. Senate candidate)

Michigan

• Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) was first elected in 2018 with 49 percent of the vote and is running for reelection in 2022. Currently, there are two Republican candidates and one Independent who is also running. Michigan has for several election cycles been a toss-up state and will be one of the key battleground states in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on August 2, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Tom Leonard (former State House Speaker who opposed Nessel in 2018)
Ryan Berman (State Rep.)

Independent
Matthew DePerno (attorney)

Minnesota

• Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) was first elected in 2018 with 49 percent of the vote and is running for reelection in 2022. Currently, there are four Republican candidates. Although Minnesota traditionally leans Democratic, General Ellison won in 2018 with only 49 percent of the state. Minnesota is one of the key states to watch in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on August 9, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Jim Schultz (attorney)
Dennis Smith (former State Rep.)
Lynne Torgerson (attorney)
Doug Wardlow (former State Rep. who opposed Ellison in 2018)

Nebraska

• Attorney General Doug Peterson (R) was first elected in 2014 and is not seeking reelection in 2022. Currently, there is one Republican candidate and no Democratic candidates. Nebraska is strong Republican state and will remain that way in 2022.

Republican Candidate
Mike Hilgers (State legislator)

Nevada

• Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) was first elected in 2018 with 47.2 percent of the vote and is seeking reelection in 2022. Currently, there is one Republican candidate opposing him. Nevada is typically a toss-up state and could be a key state to watch in 2022.

Republican Candidate
Sigal Chattah (attorney)

New Mexico

• Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) was first elected in 2014 and is term limited. Currently, there are two Democratic candidates competing to succeed him and no announced Republican candidates. New Mexico has traditionally been a strong Democratic state and will likely remain that way in 2022
• The primary election will be held on June 7, 2022.

Democratic Candidates
Brian Colón (State Auditor)
Raul Torrez (County District Attorney)

New York

• Attorney General Letitia James (D) was first elected in 2018 with 62.4 percent of the vote and is running for reelection in 2022. Currently, there are three Republican candidates competing to oppose her. New York is traditionally a strong Democratic state and will likely remain that way in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on June 28, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Michael Henry (attorney)
Joseph Holland (attorney)
John Sarcone (attorney)

North Dakota

• Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (R) who was first elected AG in 2000 passed away on January 28th. According to the state’s constitution: “The governor may fill a vacancy in any office by appointment if no other method is provided by this constitution or by law. If, while the senate is recessed or adjourned, a vacancy occurs in any office that is filled by appointment with senate confirmation, the governor shall make a temporary appointment to the office. When the senate reconvenes the governor shall make a nomination to fill the office. Except on request of the senate, no nominee rejected by the senate may again be nominated for that office at the same session, nor may the nominee be appointed to that office during a recess or adjournment of the senate.” Currently, there is one Republican candidate running for a four-year term and no Democratic candidates. North Dakota is traditionally a strong Republican state and will remain so in 2022.

Republican Candidate
Drew Wrigley (former U.S. Attorney and former Lt. Governor)

Ohio

• Attorney General Dave Yost (R) was first elected in 2018 with 52.2 percent of the vote and is seeking reelection in 2022. There is one Democratic candidate. Ohio has leaned Republican in recent years and will likely continue to trend that way in 2022.

Democratic Candidate
Jeffrey Crossman (State Rep.)

Oklahoma

• Attorney General John O’Connor (R) was appointed on July 23, 2021, by Governor Kevin Stitt after former Attorney General Mike Hunter resigned during his first term. Currently, there is one Republican candidate and no Democratic candidates. Oklahoma is traditionally a strong Republican state and will remain so in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on June 28, 2022.

Republican Candidate
Gentner Drummond (attorney, rancher; ran for AG in 2018, narrowly losing to Mr. Hunter)

Rhode Island

• Attorney General Peter Neronha (D) was first elected in 2018 with 79.8 percent of the vote and is running for reelection in 2022. Currently, there is one Republican candidate. Rhode Island is traditionally a strong Democratic state and will likely remain so in 2022.

Republican Candidate
Charles Calenda (former Assistant AG; trial attorney)

South Carolina

• Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) was first elected in 2010 and is running for reelection in 2022. Currently, there are no other candidates. South Carolina is traditionally a strong Republican state and will remain that way in 2022.

South Dakota

• Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) was first elected in 2018 with 55.2 percent of the vote and is seeking reelection in 2022. Currently, there is one other Republican candidate and no Democratic candidates. South Dakota is a strong Republican state and will remain so in 2022. Former Attorney General Marty Jackley is running in the Republican primary against General Ravnsborg. The winner of that primary will be the next Attorney General.
• The primary election will be held on June 7, 2022.

Republican Candidate
Marty Jackley (former attorney general and U.S. Attorney)

Texas

• Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) was first elected in 2014 and is seeking reelection in 2022.Currently, there are three Republican candidates, and two Democratic candidates. The primary election will be held on March 1, 2022. Texas has been a strong Republican state and will likely remain that way in 2022. However, Democrats have begun to make gains in the state and the elections have become closer. In 2018, AG Paxton was re-elected with 50.6 percent of the vote.

Republican Candidates
George P. Bush (Texas Land Commissioner)
Louie Gohmert (U.S. Representative)
Eva Guzman (former Texas Supreme Court justice)

Democratic Candidates
Joe Jaworski (former Galveston mayor)
Lee Merritt (attorney)

Vermont

• Attorney General T.J. Donovan (D) was first elected in 2016 and is seeking reelection in 2022 (attorneys general are elected every two years in Vermont). Currently, there are no announced candidates challenging General Donovan. Vermont is a strong Democratic state and will likely remain that way in 2022.

Wisconsin

• Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) was first elected in 2018 with 49.4 percent of the vote and is seeking reelection in 2022. Currently, there are two Republican candidates. Wisconsin traditionally is a toss-up state and will be one of the key states to watch in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on August 9, 2022.

Republican Candidates
Adam Jarchow (former state assemblyman)
Eric Toney (county District Attorney)

Washington, D.C.

• Attorney General Karl Racine (D) was first elected in 2014 and is not seeking reelection. There are currently four Democratic candidates, and no Republicans. Washington, D.C. is a strong Democratic jurisdiction and will remain that way in 2022.
• The primary election will be held on June 21, 2022.

Democratic Candidates
Ryan Jones (attorney)
Kenyan McDuffie (D.C. city councilmember)
Brian Schwalb (attorney)
Bruce Spiva (attorney)