Listen to the article
State Attorney General Races Draw Record Funding as Political Influence Grows
With control of Congress at stake in November, state attorney general races often receive less public attention. However, behind the scenes, partisan groups, corporations, and advocacy networks are investing heavily in these increasingly influential offices that shape American politics.
Republican organizations dedicated to these races reported a record $29 million in fundraising last year in preparation for the 2026 midterms. Their Democratic counterparts raised $28 million, double their usual amount at this stage in the election cycle.
The surge in funding reflects the growing importance of these positions, with approximately 30 seats on the ballot this year. Money is flowing from technology companies, tobacco corporations, law firms, unions, and ideological groups – all stakeholders that could face scrutiny from these top legal officers.
“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 teaches about the position at Harvard.
The attorney general position has increasingly become a springboard to higher office. At least six current attorneys general are running for governor this year. Ten current governors first held the attorney general position, including three elected in 2024.
The significance of this career path was underscored in the recent presidential campaign. When Kamala Harris, a former California attorney general, ran for president, three of her potential running mate finalists – Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania – were all former attorneys general serving as governors. On the Republican side, Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, previously held that position in Florida.
“The AGs used to be the underdogs in the races for top-of-the-ballot offices,” said Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association. “Now, they’re the favorite in them.”
Both political parties have identified key battleground states for these races. Republicans are focusing on swing states where Democrats won in 2022: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Democrats see potential opportunities in Republican-leaning Georgia, Kansas, and Ohio, while Republicans are targeting Minnesota and New York.
The Texas race highlights the heightened profile of these contests. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is facing state Sen. Mayes Middleton in a May 26 runoff for the Republican nomination. The current officeholder, Ken Paxton, made national headlines for his aggressive investigations into gender-affirming care of minors and abortion cases that extended across state lines.
During a debate, Roy articulated a key appeal of moving from Congress to a state office: “I’ll be one of one instead of one of 435 fighting for you.”
Democratic attorneys general have been particularly active in challenging the Trump administration’s policies. A group of 24 Democratic officials recently sued over Trump’s attempt to impose tariffs on imports after the Supreme Court struck down an earlier version. According to the Progressive State Leaders Committee, Democratic officials have filed more than 80 lawsuits against the administration with favorable rulings in most cases.
Sean Rankin, president of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, described his group’s members as “the only lever to hold Trump accountable” given Republican control of Congress.
In Arizona, the stakes are particularly high. Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who won her seat by just 280 votes in 2022, has joined 38 lawsuits against the federal administration. She claims these legal challenges have saved Arizona $1.5 billion by preserving funding for programs like AmeriCorps, Head Start, and universities.
“If you don’t have an attorney general who is willing to stand up to the federal government, your state is going to get hurt,” Mayes said.
Republican challenger Rodney Glassman has made withdrawing from these challenges a centerpiece of his campaign, calling the filings “clickbait” based in partisan politics. If elected, he has pledged to halt the criminal prosecutions Mayes has pursued against figures like Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani over efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona.
As these races intensify, it’s clear that state attorneys general will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping policy and political landscapes across the country, making these once-overlooked contests increasingly consequential in American politics.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
The surge in funding for state AG races is a striking indicator of their rising prominence in American politics. As these offices take on more influential legal and policy roles, the stakes and scrutiny will only continue to grow.
This piece highlights the growing politicization of state attorney general races. While these offices can play an important role, the partisan nature of the fundraising and campaigning raises red flags about their independence.
Growing influence of state AGs is an interesting trend. As legal battles shape policy, the funding and attention on these races reflects their increasing importance. Curious to see how groups across the political spectrum try to shape these outcomes.
The attorney general position has indeed become more consequential as more policy issues get resolved through the courts. This dynamic makes the funding and partisan jockeying for these roles all the more significant.
Fascinating that state AGs have become such influential players in American politics. As the article notes, their ability to shape policy through legal battles means the money flowing into these races could have far-reaching consequences.
This article sheds light on an important but often overlooked aspect of the US political landscape. The growing influence of state attorneys general, fueled by rising campaign funding, is something to watch closely in the years ahead.
This highlights how state-level offices like the AG can have significant national impact, especially with high-stakes issues like tech regulation, environmental policy, and more. The surge in funding shows the stakes involved.
With so much riding on the attorney general positions, it makes sense that we’re seeing record fundraising and attention on these typically lower-profile races. Will be interesting to see how the increased funding shapes the legal and political landscape.
The article raises important questions about the role of money and special interests in state attorney general races. While these offices can be powerful, it’s concerning if they’re being unduly influenced by partisan groups or corporate interests.