2018 AG Elections

Colorado, Maryland, and Oklahoma Hold Primary Elections; Oklahoma to Hold Runoff Election for Republican Attorney General Primary Race

• Colorado, Maryland, and Oklahoma held primary elections on June 26, 2018, and will hold general elections on November 6, 2018.
• In Colorado, Democrat Phil Weiser is currently leading State Representative Joe Salazar in the Democratic primary for AG. News reports have projected that Weiser will be the winner.  The winner of the Democratic nomination will face Republican nominee George Brauchler, who ran unopposed.
• In Maryland, Democratic incumbent AG Brian Frosh and Republican Craig Wolf ran unopposed and will be their respective parties’ nominees.
• In Oklahoma, Republican incumbent AG Mike Hunter and challenger Gentner Drummond are headed for a runoff election on August 28, as neither candidate received a majority (50%) of the vote required to secure the nomination. The winner of the runoff election will face Democratic nominee Mark Myles, who ran unopposed.

South Carolina Incumbent Attorney General Wins Republican Primary Runoff Election

• South Carolina held a runoff election for the Republican AG primary race on June 26, 2018.
• Incumbent AG Alan Wilson won the primary against State Representative Todd Atwater and will face Democratic candidate Constance Anastopoulo in the general election.
• As previously reported, AG Wilson and Representative Atwater were the top two vote-getters in the Republican primary, which proceeded to a runoff election as neither candidate received a majority (50%) of the vote required to secure the nomination.

South Dakota Republican Party Selects Jason Ravnsborg as Candidate for Attorney General

• The South Dakota Republican Party voted at its state convention to nominate Jason Ravnsborg for AG. Republican incumbent AG Marty Jackley is term-limited.
• Ravnsborg is an attorney in private practice, serves as a Deputy States Attorney for Union County, and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
• As previously reported, the South Dakota Democratic Party nominated Randy Seiler for AG.

Environment

New York Attorney General Sues Manufacturers Over Alleged Environmental Contamination

• New York AG Barbara Underwood filed suit against manufacturers 3M Company, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Company, National Foam, Inc., and Kidde-Fenwal, Inc. (collectively, “manufacturers”) over alleged environmental contamination caused by toxic chemicals created in the manufacturing of firefighting foam products.
• According to the complaint, the manufacturers allegedly designed, manufactured, marketed, and sold foams used for firefighting and firefighting training at military and civilian airports throughout New York that contained allegedly toxic chemicals—perfluorooctane sulfonic acid/perfluoroctane sulfonate (“PFOS”) and perfluorooctanoic acid/perflurooctanoate (“PFOA”)—that contaminated soil, fish, and water. The complaint alleges that the manufacturers are liable for manufacturing and marketing products with defective designs, inadequate warning of product dangers, and creation of a public nuisance.
• The complaint seeks over $38 million in damages for environmental damage; punitive damages; and an injunction requiring the manufacturers to establish a monetary fund to support ongoing environmental rehabilitation efforts.

State AGs in the News

Montana Attorney General to be NAAG President in 2020-2021

• The National Association of Attorneys General (“NAAG”) chose Montana AG Tim Fox as its new President-Elect at the annual Summer Meeting, which took place June 18-21 in Portland, Oregon. AG Fox will serve as President for the 2020-2021 term.
• Louisiana AG Jeff Landry began his 2018-2019 term as NAAG President at the Summer Meeting.
• NAAG elects its officers yearly, typically rotating through NAAG’s four regions (East, Midwest, South, and West).