Attorney General of Minnesota

Last updated

Attorney General of Minnesota
Keith Ellison portrait (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Keith Ellison
since January 7, 2019
Style
  • Mister or Madam Attorney General
    (informal)
  • The Honorable
    (formal)
Member of Executive Council, among others
Seat Minnesota State Capitol
Saint Paul, Minnesota
AppointerGeneral election
Term length Four years, no term limits
Constituting instrument Minnesota Constitution of 1858, Article V
Inaugural holder Charles H. Berry
FormationMay 11, 1858
(166 years ago) (May 11, 1858)
Salary $121,248 [1]
Website Official page

The attorney general of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Thirty individuals have held the office of Attorney General since statehood. The incumbent is Keith Ellison, a DFLer.

Contents

Election and term of office

The attorney general is elected by the people on Election Day in November, and takes office on the first Monday of the next January. There is no limit to the number of terms an attorney general may hold. To be elected attorney general, a person must be qualified voter, permanently resident in the state of Minnesota at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 21 years of age. [2]

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the attorney general, the Governor may appoint a successor to serve the balance of the term. [3] The attorney general may also be recalled by the voters or removed from office through an impeachment trial. [4]

Powers and duties

The attorney general is the chief law officer for the state of Minnesota, and as such, represents the state of Minnesota parens patriae in both state and federal court as well as in administrative proceedings, such as matters of adjudication or rulemaking. In addition, the Office of the Attorney General handles felony criminal appeals, issues formal opinions on questions of constitutional or statutory law, and provides legal advice, litigation, and appellate services to over 100 state agencies, boards, and commissions. On occasion, these services are extended to rural county prosecutors in serious felonies and criminal prosecutions. Separately, the attorney general's office enforces state antitrust and consumer protection laws, regulates charities, and advocates for residents and small businesses in utility matters. [5]

In addition to his or her functional responsibilities, the attorney general is an ex officio member of the Board of Pardons, the Executive Council, the Land Exchange Board, the Governing Board for the Minnesota Historical Society, the Records Disposition Panel, and the State Board of Investment. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

List of attorneys general

Minnesota Territory

ImageNameTook officeLeft officePolitical party
Lorenzo A. Babcock 18491853 Whig [12]
LafayetteEmmett.jpg LaFayette Emmett 18531858 Democratic [13]

In 1886, elections were moved from odd years to even years. Beginning with the 1962 election, the term of the office increased from two to four years.

Parties

   DFL (8)    Republican (19)    Farmer-Labor (2)    Union Democrat (1)

State of Minnesota

No.ImageNameTerm of officePolitical partyLaw school
1 CharlesHBerry1885.jpg Charles H. Berry 1858–1860RepublicanRead law
2 GordonECole1860.jpg Gordon E. Cole 1860–1866Republican Harvard Law School
3 William Colvill.jpg William J. Colvill 1866–1868Union DemocratRead law under Millard Fillmore
4 FrancesRECornell.jpg Francis R. E. Cornell 1868–1874RepublicanRead law
5 George P. Wilson 1874–1880RepublicanRead law
6 Charles M. Start (Minnesota Supreme Court).PNG Charles M. Start 1880–1881RepublicanRead law under William C. Wilson
7 William John Hahn 1881–1887RepublicanRead law
8 MosesClapp.jpg Moses E. Clapp 1887–1893Republican University of Wisconsin Law School
9Henry W. Childs1893–1899RepublicanRead law
10 Wallace B. Douglas (Minnesota Supreme Court).PNG Wallace B. Douglas 1899–1904Republican University of Michigan Law School
11William J. Donahower1904–1905RepublicanRead law
12 Edward T. Young 1905–1909Republican University of Minnesota Law School
13George T. Simpson1909-1912RepublicanRead law
14 LyndonAmbroseSmith.jpg Lyndon A. Smith 1912–1918Republican Georgetown University Law Center
15 Clifford L. Hilton (Minnesota Supreme Court).PNG Clifford L. Hilton 1918–1927Republican University of Wisconsin Law School
16 Albert F. Pratt (cropped).jpg Albert F. Pratt 1927–1928Republican University of Minnesota Law School
17 G.A. Youngquist (cropped).jpg G. Aaron Youngquist 1928–1929Republican St. Paul College of Law
18 Henry N. Benson (cropped).jpg Henry N. Benson 1929–1933Republican University of Minnesota Law School
19 Harry H. Peterson 1933–1936Farmer-Labor University of Minnesota Law School
20 William S. Ervin 1936–1939Farmer-Labor University of Minnesota Law School
21 JosephAABurnquist.jpg Joseph A. A. Burnquist 1939–1955Republican University of Minnesota Law School
22 Miles Lord - Federal Portrait.jpg Miles Lord 1955–1960DFL University of Minnesota Law School
23 Mondale as Senator.jpg Walter Mondale 1960–1964DFL University of Minnesota Law School
24 Robert W. Mattson Sr.png Robert W. Mattson Sr. 1964–1967DFL University of Minnesota Law School
25 Douglas M. Head.jpg Douglas M. Head 1967–1971Republican University of Minnesota Law School
26 Warren Spannaus.png Warren Spannaus 1971–1983DFL University of Minnesota Law School
27 Hubert Humphrey III (cropped).jpg Hubert Humphrey III 1983–1999DFL University of Minnesota Law School
28 MikeHatchMinnesota2006-08-21 crop.jpg Mike Hatch 1999–2007DFL University of Minnesota Law School
29 Lori Swanson 2013.jpg Lori Swanson 2007–2019DFL William Mitchell College of Law
30 Keith Ellison portrait (cropped).jpg Keith Ellison 2019–presentDFL University of Minnesota Law School

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party</span> Political party in Minnesota, United States

The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) is a political party in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The party was formed by a merger between the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1944. The DFL is one of two state Democratic Party affiliates with a different name from that of the national party, the other being the North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of Minnesota</span> Head of state and of the government of the U.S. state of Minnesota

The governor of Minnesota is the head of government of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Forty people have been governor of Minnesota, though historically there were also three governors of Minnesota Territory. Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial governor, also served as state governor several years later. State governors are elected to office by popular vote, but territorial governors were appointed to the office by the United States president. The current governor of Minnesota is Tim Walz of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Legislature</span> Legislative branch of the state government of Minnesota

The Minnesota Legislature is the bicameral legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators are elected from 67 single-member districts. In order to account for decennial redistricting, members run for one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. They are elected for four-year terms in years ending in 2 and 6, and for two-year terms in years ending in 0. Representatives are elected for two-year terms from 134 single-member districts formed by dividing the 67 senate districts in half.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota</span> Elected political office in Minnesota, United States

The lieutenant governor of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Fifty individuals have held the office of lieutenant governor since statehood. The incumbent is Peggy Flanagan, a DFLer and the first Native American elected to a statewide executive office in Minnesota's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election</span>

The 2006 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty was endorsed by the state Republican convention on June 2, 2006, while the state Democratic–Farmer–Labor convention endorsed Mike Hatch on June 10, 2006. The party primaries took place on September 12, 2006, with Hatch defeating DFL challengers Becky Lourey and Ole Savior and incumbent Pawlenty defeating Sue Jeffers. In the November 7 general election, Pawlenty received a plurality of the votes, defeating Hatch by a margin of 1%. As a result, this election was the closest race of the 2006 gubernatorial election cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Marty</span> American politician

John J. Marty is a member of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 40, which includes parts of Ramsey County in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. As a young state senator, he ran for governor of Minnesota in 1994. He won the DFL nomination and the Democratic primary but lost the general election to the incumbent governor, Arne Carlson. Marty ran for governor again in 2010, but withdrew from the race after failing to win his party's endorsement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Secretary of State</span> Elected political office in Minnesota, United States

The secretary of state of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Twenty-two individuals have held the office of secretary of state since statehood. The incumbent is Steve Simon, a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota State Auditor</span> Constitutional officer of Minnesota, United States

The state auditor of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Nineteen individuals have held the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Julie Blaha, a DFLer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota State Treasurer</span> Constitutional officer of Minnesota, United States

The state treasurer of Minnesota was a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Twenty-six individuals occupied the office of state treasurer from 1858 until the office's abolition in 2003. The final state treasurer was Carol C. Johnson, a DFLer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Minnesota</span> Politics of the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota is known for a politically active citizenry, with populism being a longstanding force among the state's political parties. Minnesota has consistently high voter turnout; in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, 77.8% of eligible Minnesotans voted – the highest percentage of any U.S. state or territory – versus the national average of 61.7%. This was due in part to its same day voter registration laws; previously unregistered voters can register on election day, at their polls, with evidence of residency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lesch</span> American politician

John Lesch is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he last represented 66B, which included portions of Saint Paul in Ramsey County, in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. He is a prosecuting attorney for Saint Paul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Minnesota Attorney General election</span>

The 2010 Minnesota Attorney General election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the Minnesota Attorney General for a four-year term. Primary elections were held on August 10, 2010. Incumbent Lori Swanson of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) won reelection to a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carly Melin</span> American politician

Carly Melin is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 6A, which included portions of the Iron Range in Itasca and St. Louis counties in northeastern Minnesota. In February 2018, Melin became executive director of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council, a labor group representing 70,000 union members. On January 31, 2019, Attorney General Keith Ellison appointed Melin as government affairs director for his office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Martin (politician)</span> Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

Ken Martin is an American political figure from Minnesota. He is Chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, President of the Association of State Democratic Committees, and a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond Dehn</span> American politician

Raymond Howard Dehn is a Minnesota politician and community organizer who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he last represented District 59B in Minneapolis. He was a candidate for mayor of Minneapolis in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Minnesota Attorney General election</span>

The 2014 Minnesota Attorney General election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Minnesota Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Minnesota Attorney General election</span>

The 2006 Minnesota Attorney General election was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 to elect the Minnesota Attorney General for a four-year term. DFL incumbent Mike Hatch chose to run for governor instead of reelection. Lori Swanson of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) won election to her first term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Minnesota Secretary of State election</span>

The 2022 Minnesota Secretary of State election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Secretary of State of Minnesota. Incumbent DFLer Steve Simon won re-election to a third term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Minnesota State Auditor election</span>

The 2022 Minnesota State Auditor election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the state auditor of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Incumbent DFLer Julie Blaha narrowly won re-election to a second term.

References

  1. ↑ State Elected Officials' Compensation (PDF) (Report). Minnesota House Research Department. 2021. p. 1. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Article VII, Sections 1, 2, and 6 of the Minnesota Constitution". Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Article V, Section 3 of the Minnesota Constitution". Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Article VIII, Sections 1, 2, and 6". Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ "About Our Office". Minnesota Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Board of Pardons". Minnesota Department of Corrections. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Executive Council". Minnesota Department of Administration. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Land Exchange Board and meetings". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Leadership". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Records Disposition Panel". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  11. ↑ "About Us". Minnesota State Board of Investment. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ "The Minnesota Legislature and Its Politics, &c: Political Character of the Council" . The Minnesota Democrat. St. Paul, MN. January 19, 1853. p. 2 – via GenealogyBank.com.
  13. ↑ EHN, Reference Desk. "Library Research Guides: Lafayette Emmett, Chief Justice, 1858-1865: Biography". mncourts.libguides.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.