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10 attorney general offices 10 states[lower-alpha 1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Democratic hold Republican hold Republican gain No election |
The 2016 United States attorney general elections were held on November 8, 2016, in 10 states.[2] The previous attorney general elections for eight of the 10 states took place in 2012. The last attorney general elections for Utah and Vermont took place in 2014, as Utah held a special election due to the resignation of John Swallow, while the attorney general of Vermont serves two-year terms.[3] The elections took place concurrently with the 2016 presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives and Senate, and numerous state and local elections.
Six state attorneys general ran for reelection and four did not. Missouri was only state that changed partisan control, where Republican Josh Hawley won the open seat, replacing outgoing Democrat Chris Koster.[4] The four other open seats were won by the party which previously held the office, and all five incumbents who ran won re-election. Republicans expanded their majority control of popularly elected state attorneys general.
Results summary
State | Attorney General |
Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indiana | Greg Zoeller | Republican | 2008 | Incumbent retired to run for U.S. Representative. New attorney general elected. Republican hold. |
|
Missouri | Chris Koster | Democratic | 2008 | Incumbent retired to run for Governor of Missouri. New attorney general elected. Republican gain. |
|
Montana | Tim Fox | Republican | 2012 | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
North Carolina | Roy Cooper | Democratic | 2000 | Incumbent retired to run for Governor of North Carolina. New attorney general elected. Democratic hold. |
|
Oregon | Ellen Rosenblum | Democratic | 2012[lower-alpha 2] | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Pennsylvania | Bruce Beemer | Democratic | 2016[lower-alpha 3] | Incumbent retired. New attorney general elected. Democratic hold. |
|
Utah | Sean Reyes | Republican | 2013[lower-alpha 4] | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Vermont | William Sorrell | Democratic | 1997[lower-alpha 5] | Incumbent retired. New attorney general elected. Democratic hold. |
|
Washington | Bob Ferguson | Democratic | 2012 | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
West Virginia | Patrick Morrisey | Republican | 2012 | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Statistics
Closest races
States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
- North Carolina, 0.4% (20,232 votes)
States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
- Pennsylvania, 2.8% (165,685 votes)
States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- West Virginia, 9.7% (67,192 votes)
Partisan control of statewide offices
Italics indicate office was not up for election in 2016.
Before 2016 elections[5] | After 2016 elections[6] | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Governor | Lieutenant Governor |
Secretary of State |
Attorney General |
Treasurer | Auditor | Governor | Lieutenant Governor |
Secretary of State |
Attorney General |
Treasurer | Auditor | |
Indiana | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | |
Missouri | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Dem | |
Montana | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Rep | Rep | |||
North Carolina | Rep | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | |
Oregon | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | |||||
Pennsylvania | Dem | Dem | Dem | Ind | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | |||
Utah | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | Rep | |||
Vermont | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Prog | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | |
Washington | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Rep | Dem | |
West Virginia | Dem | Dem | Rep | Dem | Dem | Dem | Rep | Rep | Dem | Rep |
Indiana
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County results Hill: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Arredondo: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Greg Zoeller declined to run for a third term in order to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.[7] Republicans chose Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill over former Attorney General Steve Carter, state senator Randall Head, and Deputy Attorney General Abby Kuzma at the Republican state convention on June 11.[8] Democrats nominated Lorenzo Arredondo, former Lake County Circuit Judge.[9] Hill won the election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Curtis Hill | 1,643,689 | 62.31 | |
Democratic | Lorenzo Arredondo | 994,085 | 37.69 | |
Total votes | 2,637,774 | 100.00 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
Missouri
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Hawley: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Hensley: 50–60% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster chose not to run for re-election to a third term, but instead ran for Governor of Missouri.[11][12][13]
Former Cass County prosecuting attorney Tereasa Hensley was nominated in the Democratic primary over St. Louis County assessor Jake Zimmerman.[14][15] State senator Scott Sifton also announced his candidacy, but withdrew before the primary in order to run for re-election.[16] The Republican nominee was MU law professor Josh Hawley, who was nominated over state senator Kurt Schaefer.[17][18]
Although early polling showed a tighter race, Hawley won the election by a wide margin, becoming the first Republican attorney general since William L. Webster left office in 1993.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Teresa Hensley | 167,626 | 52.72 | |
Democratic | Jake Zimmerman | 150,322 | 47.28 | |
Total votes | 317,948 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Josh Hawley | 415,702 | 64.22 | |
Republican | Kurt Schaefer | 231,657 | 35.79 | |
Total votes | 647,359 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Josh Hawley | 1,607,550 | 58.50 | |
Democratic | Teresa Hensley | 1,140,252 | 41.50 | |
Total votes | 2,747,802 | 100.00 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
Montana
| |||||||||||||||||
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County results Fox: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Jent: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Republican Tim Fox ran for re-election to a second term and was unopposed in the Republican primary. The Democratic nominee was state senator Larry Jent, who also ran for the nomination unopposed. Fox easily won re-election.[21]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tim Fox (incumbent) | 140,173 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 140,173 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Larry Jent | 102,171 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 102,171 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tim Fox (incumbent) | 332,766 | 67.67 | |
Democratic | Larry Jent | 158,970 | 32.33 | |
Total votes | 491,736 | 100.00 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
North Carolina
| |||||||||||||||||
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County results Stein: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Newton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper chose not to run for re-election to a fifth term in office, but instead successfully ran for Governor.[22]
Primary elections were held on March 15. Democratic former state senator Josh Stein defeated Republican state senator Buck Newton in the general election.[23][24]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Josh Stein | 510,003 | 53.37 | |
Democratic | Marcus Williams | 445,524 | 46.63 | |
Total votes | 955,527 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Buck Newton | 503,880 | 54.89 | |
Republican | Jim O'Neill | 414,073 | 45.11 | |
Total votes | 917,953 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Josh Stein | 2,303,619 | 50.27 | |
Republican | Buck Newton | 2,279,006 | 49.73 | |
Total votes | 4,582,625 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Oregon
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Rosenblum: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Crowe: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum ran for re-election to a second full term. She won the election over Republican nominee Daniel Zene Crowe.[27]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ellen Rosenblum (incumbent) | 1,011,761 | 54.97 | |
Republican | Daniel Zene Crowe | 766,753 | 41.66 | |
Libertarian | Lars Hedbor | 58,609 | 3.18 | |
Write-in | 3,507 | 0.19 | ||
Total votes | 1,840,630 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Pennsylvania
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Shapiro: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% Rafferty: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kathleen Kane originally indicated her intention to seek re-election, but dropped out after she was criminally charged with violating grand jury secrecy laws stemming from alleged leaks of grand jury investigation details to embarrass a political enemy.[29][30] Inspector General Bruce Beemer was appointed to fill out the remainder of her term, although he did not seek election to a full term.
Democratic candidates included Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli,[31] Montgomery County Board of Supervisors chair Josh Shapiro,[32] and Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.[33] The Republican primary was between two candidates: state senator John Rafferty Jr. and former prosecutor Joe Peters.[34][35] Shapiro and Rafferty won their respective primaries.[36]
Governing rated this election as a tossup.[37] Shapiro narrowly defeated Rafferty in the general election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Josh Shapiro | 725,168 | 47.03 | |
Democratic | Stephen Zappala | 566,501 | 36.74 | |
Democratic | John Morganelli | 250,097 | 16.22 | |
Total votes | 1,541,766 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John Rafferty Jr. | 819,510 | 63.82 | |
Republican | Joe Peters | 464,491 | 36.18 | |
Total votes | 1,284,001 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Josh Shapiro | 3,057,010 | 51.39 | |
Republican | John Rafferty Jr. | 2,891,325 | 48.61 | |
Total votes | 5,948,335 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Utah
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
County results Reyes: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Harper: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Sean Reyes ran for re-election to a full term after serving the remainder of John Swallow's term. He easily won the general election, defeating Democratic nominee Jon Harper and Libertarian nominee Andrew McCullogh.[39]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sean Reyes (incumbent) | 719,064 | 65.41 | |
Democratic | Jon Harper | 275,571 | 25.07 | |
Libertarian | Andrew McCullough | 73,975 | 6.73 | |
Independent American | Michael Isbell | 30,687 | 2.79 | |
Total votes | 1,099,297 | 100.00 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
Vermont
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Donovan: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Buckman: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General William Sorrell, the state's longest-serving Attorney General (since 1997), did not run for re-election.[41] Democratic nominee T.J. Donovan won the general election.[42]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | T. J. Donovan | 49,017 | 80.16 | |
Democratic | H. Brooke Paige | 11,917 | 19.49 | |
Write-in | 214 | 0.35 | ||
Total votes | 61,148 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Deborah Bucknam | 31,173 | 95.48 | |
Write-in | 1,477 | 4.52 | ||
Total votes | 32,650 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | T. J. Donovan | 200,020 | 66.56 | |
Republican | Deborah Bucknam | 88,431 | 29.43 | |
Liberty Union | Rosemarie Jackowski | 11,844 | 3.94 | |
Write-in | 202 | 0.07 | ||
Total votes | 300,497 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Washington
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Ferguson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Trumbull: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson sought re-election, opposed by Joshua B. Trumbull, who ran as a Libertarian.[43] In the general election, Ferguson won re-election to a second term, defeating Trumbull.[44]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Ferguson (incumbent) | 906,493 | 72.61 | |
Libertarian | Joshua B. Trumbull | 341,932 | 27.39 | |
Total votes | 1,248,425 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Ferguson (incumbent) | 2,000,804 | 66.93 | |
Libertarian | Joshua B. Trumbull | 979,105 | 32.75 | |
Write-in | 9,567 | 0.32 | ||
Total votes | 2,989,476 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
West Virginia
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
County results Morrisey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Reynolds: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Incumbent Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey ran for re-election to a second term. He faced Democratic state delegate Doug Reynolds in the general election, with both being unopposed in their respective primaries. Morrisey won the general election.[47]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patrick Morrisey (incumbent) | 157,369 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 157,369 | 100.00 |
}
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Doug Reynolds | 187,786 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 187,786 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patrick Morrisey (incumbent) | 358,424 | 51.64 | |
Democratic | Doug Reynolds | 291,232 | 41.96 | |
Libertarian | Karl Kolenich | 24,023 | 3.46 | |
Mountain | Michael Sharley | 20,475 | 2.95 | |
Total votes | 694,154 | 100.00 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
Notes
- ↑ Seat tallies and popular vote do not include states that do not elect attorneys general or territorial attorneys general.
- ↑ Rosenblum took office after her predecessor (John Kroger) resigned. She was subsequently elected in the 2012 Oregon Attorney General election.
- ↑ Beemer took office after his predecessor (Kathleen Kane) resigned.
- ↑ Reyes took office after his predecessor (John Swallow) resigned. He was subsequently elected in the 2014 Utah Attorney General special election.
- ↑ Sorrell took office after his predecessor (Jeffrey Amestoy) resigned. He was subsequently elected in 1998.
References
- ↑ "U.S. Attorney General Elections Popular Vote Tracker". Twitter. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ↑ "Attorney General elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Vermont Attorney General election, 2014". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on December 1, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Missouri Attorney General election, 2016". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ↑ "2016 State and Legislative Partisan Composition" (PDF). National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ↑ "2016 PRE- AND POST-ELECTION STATE LEGISLATIVE CONTROL". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ↑ Guerra, Kristine (May 13, 2016). "Zoeller won't seek 3rd term as attorney general". Indianapolis Star.
- ↑ Tribune News Services (June 11, 2016). "Indiana GOP nominates Curtis Hill for attorney general at convention". Chicago Tribune.
- ↑ Smith, Brandon (June 20, 2016). "Indiana Democrats Slate Candidates, Focus On Goals For Hoosier State". WBAA.
- ↑ "Secretary of State : Election Division: Election Results". www.in.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ↑ "State News: Mo. Attorney General Koster prepares to run for governor". seMissourian.com. Associated Press. April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ↑ "Chris Koster for Missouri governor? - St. Louis Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. April 10, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- ↑ Jo Mannies (February 16, 2014). "Early Missouri governor's race new political normal". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ Cummings, Ian (July 30, 2015). "Teresa Hensley enters the Missouri attorney general race as Sen. Scott Sifton drops out". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ↑ "St. Louis County Assessor Zimmerman to run for Missouri AG". St. Louis Post Dispatch. January 27, 2015. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ↑ Mannies, Jo (July 30, 2015). "Sifton drops out as 2016 Democratic candidate for Missouri attorney general". KWMU. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ↑ Keller, Rudi (July 24, 2015). "MU professor Hawley announces run for attorney general". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ↑ "Sen. Kurt Schaefer plans run for attorney general". Colombia Daily Tribune. September 18, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
- 1 2 "State of Missouri - Primary Election, August 02, 2016 - Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. August 25, 2016. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ↑ "State of Missouri - Election Night Results". Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "Montana Attorney General Results: Tim Fox Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "Attorney General Announces Candidacy For Governor". Charlotte Observer. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Josh Stein bests Buck Newton in attorney general race | the Wilson Times". Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "North Carolina Attorney General Results: Josh Stein Leads". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- 1 2 "NC SBE Election Contest Details". er.ncsbe.gov.
- ↑ "NC SBE Election Contest Details".
- ↑ "Oregon Attorney General Results: Ellen Rosenblum Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "Official Results General Election November 8, 2016". sos.oregon.gov. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ Maher, Kris (August 6, 2015). "Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane Charged With Obstruction, Perjury". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ↑ Bacon, John (August 6, 2015). "Pa. attorney general charged with perjury, obstructing justice". USA Today. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
- ↑ "John Morganelli says he'll run for Pennsylvania attorney general". The Morning Call. December 15, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ↑ Field, Nick (January 11, 2016). "BREAKING: Report: Shapiro to Run for Attorney General". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ↑ Field, Nick (December 16, 2015). "Zappala Kicks Off AG Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
- ↑ Aupperlee, Aaron (February 4, 2016). "2nd Republican seeks nomination in state attorney general race". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ↑ Addy, Jason (June 17, 2015). "Rafferty Announces Attorney General Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Attorney General Results: Josh Shapiro Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "4 States Have Competitive Attorney General Races in 2016". governing.com. March 14, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Pennsylvania Elections - Summary Results". electionreturns.pa.gov. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Utah Attorney General Results: Sean Reyes Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ 2016 General Election - Statewide Canvass
- ↑ Craven, Jasper (September 28, 2015). "AG BILL SORRELL WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION". vtdigger.org.
- ↑ "Vermont Attorney General Results: T.J. Donovan Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ O'Sullivan, Joseph (May 20, 2016). "More than Trump: Candidate field gets set for Washington voters". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Washington Attorney General Results: Bob Ferguson Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ↑ "August 2, 2016 Primary Results". Washington Secretary of State.
- ↑ "November 8, 2016 General Election Results". Washington Secretary of State.
- ↑ "West Virginia Attorney General Results: Patrick Morrisey Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- 1 2 "Statewide Results - Primary Election - May 10, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State.