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Kansas Today
By the People, for the People
Big Money Flows Into 2026 Attorney General Races
Partisan groups and corporate interests ramp up campaigns for influential state offices
Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:35pm
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With control of Congress on the ballot in November, state attorney general races are gaining increased attention and funding from partisan groups, corporate interests, and advocacy networks. Republican organizations dedicated to these contests raised a record $29 million last year, while Democratic counterparts reported raising $28 million - double their usual amount at this stage. Attorneys general are seen as key stepping stones in political careers, with at least six current AGs running for governor this year.
Why it matters
The rising political and financial clout of attorney general races signals a growing recognition of the office's power to shape national policy and influence legal challenges, particularly in a polarized political environment. Both parties are targeting swing states and Republican-leaning states, seeing these contests as crucial battlegrounds.
The details
Priority races for party organizations are in swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, all won by Democrats in 2022. Democrats are also targeting Republican-leaning states such as Georgia, Kansas, and Ohio, although Republicans are focusing on potential pickups in Minnesota and New York. In Texas, a runoff election is scheduled for May 26 between U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and state Sen. Mayes Middleton for the Republican nomination for attorney general.
- Republican organizations raised a record $29 million in preparation for the 2026 midterms.
- Some 30 seats are on the ballot this year.
The players
James Tierney
A former Maine attorney general who teaches about the position at Harvard.
Adam Piper
Executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association.
Sean Rankin
President of the Democratic Attorneys General Association.
Kris Mayes
The Democratic Attorney General of Arizona who won her seat by 280 votes in 2022.
Rodney Glassman
The Republican candidate for Attorney General of Arizona who has pledged to withdraw from Mayes's legal challenges.
What they’re saying
“Because we try to solve so many of our problems with lawsuits, the office of attorney general has become more important.”
— James Tierney, Former Maine Attorney General
“Attorneys general used to be the underdogs in the races for top-of-the-ballot offices, but now, they're the favorite in them.”
— Adam Piper, Executive Director, Republican Attorneys General Association
“We're the only lever to hold Trump accountable due to a compliant, Republican-controlled Congress.”
— Sean Rankin, President, Democratic Attorneys General Association
The takeaway
The increased financial and political attention on state attorney general races signals a growing recognition of the office's power to shape national policy and influence legal challenges, particularly in a polarized political environment. Both parties are intensifying their campaigns for these influential positions, which are seen as key stepping stones in political careers.
