State AG Races to Watch in 2026 and Why You Should Care

2026 State Attorneys General Races: Where to Watch

More than 30 state attorneys general (AG) seats are on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election as part of the national midterm cycle. These races will shape legal leadership nationwide, with several high-profile contests and open seats drawing attention from both parties—and from national groups investing heavily in outcomes.

Key Battleground States and Competitive Races in 2026

This year’s AG elections feature a mix of battlegrounds and open seats that are expected to be highly competitive. Some of the most closely watched contests include:

• Iowa, where a competitive gubernatorial race could have a down-ballot impact.
• Kansas, where incumbent Republican Kris Kobach is seeking re-election against a rematch challenger.

Across the country, races in states like Maryland, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin will draw national party and donor interest given their potential to swing party control of legal policy agendas.

Incumbents are seeking re-election in key battlegrounds such as Arizona (Kris Mayes - D) and Minnesota (Keith Ellison - D), while several open races promise competitive primaries and general elections.

In total, these elections include both gubernatorial jump-off points and key policy pivots, with implications for litigation strategies and enforcement priorities nationwide.

To keep track of all of the states with races, AG candidates, and 2026 primary dates, MultiState has you covered. Check out our new AG Candidates Chart here. This resource is updated monthly so you can stay in the know.

As 2026’s attorneys general races heat up, these offices—and the associations that support them—will continue to play an outsized role in shaping legal policy across the states and at the national level. Their collective influence increasingly extends far beyond state borders, ensuring the AG’s office remains a critical battleground in American governance.

Why State Attorneys General Matter in National Politics

State attorneys general are no longer just chief law enforcement officers; they have become central figures in national policy debates. There are multiple reasons to care about and engage with state AGs. As the chief legal officer in their jurisdiction, AGs:

• Provide legal counsel to state governments and legislatures. With many of today’s major pieces of policy containing enforcement language, engaging state attorneys general in the front end of the policymaking process is critical in terms of long-term consequences.
• Bring and defend lawsuits on behalf of the state in both state and federal courts. In 2025, over 75 lawsuits were filed against the Trump Administration by Democratic state attorneys general.
• Advocate for or against federal policies impacting their states.
• Issue formal legal opinions and pursue enforcement on major consumer, environmental, and civil rights issues. State attorneys general have increasingly adopted a more aggressive role in regulatory enforcement across various industries, particularly as federal priorities shifted in 2025. State attorneys general have focused on issues including opioids, social media, and PFAS in recent years.

In addition, state attorneys general serve as powerful advocates who can block, defend, or shape policies long before they reach the Supreme Court. Their influence has grown alongside increasing political polarization.

Major Attorney General Organizations and Their Influence

The work of state attorneys general is amplified by four major national organizations that provide platforms for collaboration, advocacy, training, and, in some cases, political activity.

Nonpartisan Professional Organizations

National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
Founded in 1907, NAAG serves as a nonpartisan national association for the majority of states, territories, and D.C. attorneys general participating as dues-paying members. It facilitates training, legal research, information sharing, and continuing education, while also hosting national meetings and publications to help AGs address emerging legal issues cooperatively. While there are no private sector memberships, industry and other stakeholders can register and attend the majority of NAAG meetings. This group is known for a quality opportunity to engage and develop relationships with senior AG staff.

Attorney General Alliance (AGA)

AGA is a not-for-profit organization of state attorneys general and legal partners originally founded as the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG). It fosters collaboration across jurisdictions on legal and policy issues like cybercrime, sports betting regulation, environmental law, and transnational legal cooperation, offering another forum for sharing best practices and training. Private sector contributors find value in AGA’s international exchange footprint as well as the opportunity to participate in its national working groups (including cybersecurity / artificial intelligence and organized retail crime).

Partisan Political Organizations

Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA)
DAGA is the Democratic counterpart to RAGA, focused on electing and supporting Democratic attorneys general across the country. It provides campaign support, recruitment, training, and strategic resources for Democratic candidates and officeholders. The group frequently highlights coordinated policy stances and shared priorities among Democratic AGs.

Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA)

RAGA works to elect and re-elect Republican attorneys general and advance conservative legal agendas. It engages in campaign support, endorsements, and fundraising, and is active in contested races with high-profile endorsements and financial backing.

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This article appeared in our Stakeholder Engagement News on January 30, 2026. For more advice like this, click here to sign up (and don't forget to check the Stakeholder Engagement box) and explore our past editions here.