Big money flows into state attorney general races as legal battles shape American politics

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, listens at the Capitol in Washington, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) 2026-03-21T12:05:31Z With control of Congress on the ballot in November, state attorney general races can get lost in the shuffle. But just outside the election spotlight, there are partisan groups, corporate interests and advocacy networks revving up campaigns for offices that are playing a growing role in American politics. The group of Republican organizations dedicated to these contests reported raising a record amount of money last year, pulling in $29 million in preparation for the 2026 midterms. Democratic counterparts said they brought in $28 million, twice as much as usual at this stage of the election cycle. Some 30 seats are on the ballot this year. Money is pouring in from technology companies, tobacco companies and others, all of which could face scrutiny from states’ top legal officers. The money includes millions from law firms, unions and ideological groups, and it reflects the rising stature of the job in national policy and as a springboard for higher office. “Because we try to solve so many of our problems with lawsuits, the office of attorney general has become more important,” said James Tierney, a former Maine attorney general who and teaches about the position at Harvard. Attorneys general are key to political benches At least six current attorneys general are running for governor this year. Ten current governors first won the position as they wrapped up their attorney general terms, including three elected in 2024. When Kamala Harris, a former California attorney general, ran for president in 2024, three of the finalists to be her running mate — Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania — were each a former attorney general serving as governor. On the Republican side, President Donald Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, used to have t

原文链接: AP News