2024 State Elections Toolkit
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Key Takeaways:

  • The attorney general (AG) serves as the state’s chief legal officer and is a statewide position in all 50 states. Recently, politically aligned AGs have worked together to target federal policy and large companies. These lawsuits have become an important part of the regulatory landscape in the U.S.
  • The 10 AG seats up for election this year are evenly split between seats currently held by Democrats and Republicans. The two states most likely to see a change in party control are in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
  • The attorney general is elected statewide in 43 states and is appointed in the remaining seven states. The AG is appointed by the governor in five states, the legislature in Maine, and the state supreme court in Tennessee.


The attorney general (AG) serves as the state’s chief legal officer and is a statewide position in all 50 states. This year, the AG seats in 10 states are up for election. Recently, politically aligned AGs have worked together to target federal policy and large companies. In this role, “AG-led lawsuits have become a crucial part of the American regulatory landscape.” Therefore AG seats in each state along with multi-state AG groups (i.e., NAAG, RAGA, DAGA) have become increasingly important.


How Are State Attorney Generals Selected?

The attorney general is elected statewide in 43 states and is appointed in the remaining seven states. The AG is appointed by the governor in five states (Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wyoming), the legislature in Maine, and the state supreme court in Tennessee. 





Partisan Breakdown of Current State Attorneys General

Republicans currently hold AG seats in 27 states, while Democrats hold seats in 22 states, and Hawaii Governor Joshua Green (D) appointed Anne Lopez — an Independent — as AG in 2022.





Attorney General Elections in 2024

The 10 AG seats up for election this year are evenly split between seats currently held by Democrats and Republicans. The two states most likely to see a change in party control are the AG seats in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, both of which are currently held by Democrats. The remaining seats up for reelection are in pretty safe states.  

Six of the ten AG seats on the ballot this year are open races, while incumbents are running for reelection in the other four seats. There is a partisan lean here too, as three of the four incumbents running are Republicans and four of the six open seats are currently held by Democrats. In addition to the rising profile of state AGs, the AG position is a popular office for aspiring governors. 


Need a Plan for Engaging State Attorneys General?

MultiState's Stakeholder Engagement Practice helps clients develop a strategic plan for engaging with policymaker and policy influencer organizations — groups that can move the needle in policy discussions across the country. Read more about our Stakeholder Engagement practice here to learn more about how we can engage and activate stakeholders to support your advocacy agenda.