Elections & Campaigns
Post-Election Analysis: Expected Red Wave Turns Blue
November 9, 2022 | Bill Kramer
Post-Election Results & Analysis
Of the 30 AG seats up for election, so far, only one has flipped parties. In Iowa, challenger Brenna Bird (R) defeated long-time incumbent Tom Miller (D), who had held on to the AG seat for 10 terms — 40 years — the longest-serving official in that post in any state. The AG seat in Arizona remains too close to call.
Pre-Election Preview
How Are Attorneys General Selected?
The attorney general (AG) serves as the state’s chief legal officer and is a statewide position in all 50 states. In 43 states, the attorney general is elected statewide, and 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.
Current Partisan Breakdown of Attorneys General
Currently, there are 27 Republican attorneys general and 23 Democratic attorneys general.
States with Attorney General Elections in 2022
On November 8, 2022, attorney general seats in 30 states are up for election. Of the 30 attorney general seats up for election in 2022, 16 seats are currently held by Democrats and 14 seats are currently held by Republicans.
Primary Elections: Dates and Results
The chart below lays out the primary dates and the victors (once available) in major party primaries for the 30 attorney general races. Asterisk (*) indicated incumbent.
Additional Resources and Analysis
Visit our 2022 State Elections Toolkit for additional information on all of the state executive and legislative seats up for election this year, handy downloadable resources, and analysis of the potential impact on the partisan makeup of state governments.