2016 New Member Packet Mission The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the Office of State Attorney General. RAGA supports our 27 current Republican attorneys general and recruits outstanding candidates, providing them with research and financial support as well as assisting in message development. Through robust candidate recruitment RAGA brings effective public servants to the office of AG and deepens our Party’s talent pool from which many future Governors and U.S. Senators will be drawn. In 1999, a few Republican AGs formed RAGA to address the lack of commitment by some state attorneys general to defend federalism, adhere to the law, and apply a common sense, free market approach to governing. In its first election year, RAGA made its mark on American politics by emerging as the only Republican organization to gain seats during the hard-fought 2000 elections. In just 16 years RAGA has multiplied its effectiveness, culminating most recently with the 2014 elections, when we grew the number of Republican attorneys general from 24 to take the clear majority with 27. The success was a direct result of our high quality candidates and strong financial support from our members. Facts        Republican attorneys general hold 27 seats across the country, and our Chairman, Attorney General Bill Schuette (MI), leads RAGA. Republican attorneys general scored a major victory against Obamacare that allowed states to choose whether or not to participate in Medicaid expansion. They also have pending suits challenging the ability of the IRS to enforce certain provisions and assess penalties in the 34 states without state health exchanges. They have sued the EPA over its egregious proposal to unreasonably pick and choose sources of energy and, in a separate suit, are fighting the EPA’s attempt to vastly expand control over “waters of the U.S.” Republican attorneys general have challenged the constitutionality of Dodd-Frank. Arizona won a successful challenge against the National Labor Relations Board which challenged the state’s constitutional amendment guaranteeing worker’s rights to vote by secret ballot on whether to join a union. This case set valuable precedent that will allow these issues to be resolved at the state, not federal, level. Republican AGs played a pivotal role in defeating the NLRB's politically motivated attempt to disallow Boeing's business expansion in South Carolina. Republican AGs have called for tougher laws to prevent patent trolls from stifling American innovation. Importance RAGA works with attorneys general across the country to support the rule of law, limited government, cooperative federalism, legal reform, free enterprise, aggressive crime fighting, equal opportunity, and the preservation of conservative values. Republican attorneys general are more important than ever before as the last line of defense in our states against an aggressive federal government. In his first term, President Obama and his Administration increasingly took steps requiring states to defend their laws and citizens’ personal freedoms. Nearing the end of his presidency, the President has made it clear he will liberally use executive orders and circumvent the law by directing federal agencies to force an agenda he knows cannot gain Congressional approval. RAGA At A Glance For the first time in our country’s history, Republicans now hold a clear majority of the state’s attorneys general. With the conclusion of the 2014 Election, the total number of Republican AGs increased from 24 to 27. Governing Magazine recently handicapped the upcoming 10 state attorney general races for 2016. Already in the minority, Democratic attorneys general face upcoming elections in a tough mix of states, including the red-leaning battlegrounds of Missouri and North Carolina. Republicans stand to make a net gain of three or more seats, increasing the number to 30 or more Republican AGs in 2016. 2016 Elections 2016 – RAGA is currently prepping for a critical election year in 2016, where there will be a total of 10 state attorney general races throughout the country. which are open (Missouri, North Carolina and Vermont). The Presidential race, along with gubernatorial, Senate and Congressional races, will undoubtedly have an impact on attorney general races. West Virginia - Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced in June that he will seek another term as AG. Morrisey defeated fiveterm incumbent Darrell McGraw in 2012 by a margin of 51.2%-48.8%, spending nearly $2 million in his victory effort. With Greenbrier owner and billionaire Jim Justice running for Governor as a Democrat, the AG race could be a race where sizable expenditures to help Morrisey’s efforts may be necessary. Democrats David Higgins and Mark Hunt have already announced their candidacy for attorney general. Higgins is an attorney and former House of Delegate member. Hunt is also an attorney and former House of Delegate member who has unsuccessfully run for state Senate and Congress. Doug Reynolds, an attorney and current House of Delegate member who has the resource to self-run a race, is a potential candidate. Of the four Republican seats up for re-election, only one seat is open (Indiana). In contrast, Democrats have six seats to defend, three of RAGA Political Overview, Scott Will, Executive Director, RAGA (updated 01/07/16) Montana - Attorney General Tim Fox doesn't have a primary or general election opponent yet. Montana’s strict contribution limits only allow candidates to receive $320 per election from individuals, yet despite that, Fox has already amassed over $95,000 in his campaign coffers. Democrat State Senator Larry Jent is considering a run. Gent was a candidate for Governor in 2012 but withdrew his bid in March of that year, in part because he was being outraised by then AG Steve Bullock by a 16-1 margin. It is also possible that General Fox may have a primary opponent, but we will not know that officially until the candidate filing period closes in March 2016. Indiana - Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced in July that he would run for Congress in the state’s 9th Congressional District, creating a Republican-open seat. Zoeller won his first election in 2008 by a razor thin margin, 50.7% - 49.3%, while Obama went on to carry the state, which up until that point was reliably Republican. Unlike many states, the attorney general nominee is not decided in a Primary Election, but rather by a state party convention made up of roughly 1700 delegates. The Convention will be held Saturday, June 11. Putting in reserves early may help to purchase buys as a discounted price. Pennsylvania - Democrat Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s first term has been nothing short of tumultuous. Kane was formally charged on August 7 regarding a highly unusual and secret courtordered investigation into whether she breached grand jury secrecy when her office gave information about another investigation to a newspaper. Kane’s woes have continued into September, when the State Supreme Court issued a temporary suspension of her law license. It does appear that she will fight through this and seek reelection. Kane is already facing opposition with several challengers from her own party. State Senator John Rafferty is the presumed Republican nominee, after State Representative Todd Stephens dropped out of race shortly before the holiday season. Oregon, Washington and Vermont - It is difficult to reason that we will be competitive in these Democratic strongholds at this time. However, strong Republican candidate recruitment may force DAGA to get involved and spend in these states, which can only help us. Two candidates, Steve Carter, former state attorney general (20012009) and District Attorney Curtis Hill have already announced their intentions to seek the office. Other potential candidates include: Congressman Todd Rokita; State Senator and former prosecutor Randy Head; and State Senator Mike Delph. Utah - Attorney General Sean Reyes is expected to seek re-election in 2016. At this point, he does not appear to have a serious challenge. Missouri - Attorney General Chris Koster is seeking to replace Governor Jay Nixon, who is term-limited, leaving the attorney general race a Democratic-open seat election. Although Koster won in 2012 by a 15-point margin, Romney carried the entire state in all but three counties. The two Republican candidates in the race are proven fundraisers. Kurt Schaefer, a state Senator, has $1.48 million in his campaign account. Josh Hawley, an attorney and former law school professor, raised over $750,000 in his first reporting quarter, which he claims to be a record for new down-ballot statewide candidates. Teresa Hensley, the former Cass County prosecutor, and St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman are running on the Democratic ticket. North Carolina - Attorney General Roy Cooper has officially entered the race for Governor, leaving his seat vacant. Two Republican candidate, State Senator Buck Newton and District Attorney Jim O’Neill, have entered the race to succeed him. The Republican nominee will likely face State Senator Josh Stein, who has a very liberal record and was a campaign manager for disgraced Senator John Edwards. The Primary Election was recently moved up seven weeks from early May to mid-March to coincide with the Presidential Primary. This will undoubtedly create challenges for candidates building out a campaign infrastructure earlier than expected. North Carolina will likely be a battleground state for the Presidential election, resulting in television advertisement rates to be very costly. 2017 – 2018 Elections 2017 – Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring will seek reelection to his seat, but all signs point to this being a competitive race, with Republicans already expressing interest in waging a candidacy. 2018 – The 2018 General Election will most certainly prove to be a very challenging year. Republican currently hold 19 of the 30 seats that will be up for election. In addition, many of our current Republican AGs will not be running for their seat during this election, either because of term limits imposed in their states, or perhaps some will choose to run for higher office. This presents a challenge of recruiting strong candidates and raising money to ensure success. Our directive is to ensure that RAGA is in the best position possible to continue to play a critical role in the election of Republican state attorneys general. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Attorney General Bill Schuette, Michigan, Chairman Attorney General Luther St range, Alabama, Vice Chairman & Chairman-Elect, 20 16 -17 Attorney General Pam Bondi , Florida , Immediate Past Chair Attorney General Sam Olens, Georgia , Nominations Chairman Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Colorado Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt , Nevada Attorney General Alan Wilson, South Carolina Attorney General Sean Reyes, Ut ah Attorney General Patrick Morrisey , West Virginia Follow Us: Web: RepublicanAGs.com Facebook: RepublicanAGs Twitter: @RepublicanAGs #AGsFightBack #RAGA Scott Will Amanda Gonzalez Executive Director Administrativa Director SWill@RepublicanAGs.com AGonzalez@RepublicanAGs.com Samantha Dravis Lee Russell Policy Director & General Counsel Chief Financial Officer SDravis@RepublicanAGs.com LRussell@RepublicanAGs.com Ashley Montenegro Robert Simpson Finance Director Deputy Political Director AMontenegro@RepublicanAGs.com RSimpson@RepublicanAGs.com Jason Heath Ashley Highlander Director of Operations Finance Assistant JHeath@RepublicanAGs.com AHighlander@RepublicanAGs.com Republican Attorneys General Association 1747 Pennsylvania Ave NW-Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006 E-Mail: info@RepublicanAGs.com www.RepublicanAGs.com 2016 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS EDMUND RANDOLPH CLUB “ERC” ($125,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION)  Access to RAGA Event at 2016 Republican National Convention (details forthcoming)  Access to all RAGA National and Regional Meetings *5 access passes  Access to ERC and Capital Club-only events at RAGA National Meetings  Access to the Host Committee Dinner at RAGA Winter, Summer and Fall National Meetings  Access to Welcome Dinner at RAGA National Meetings  Access to Annual ERC Retreat: August 4 – 7, 2016  Access to RAGA (and complimentary entry to RLDF Events) *3 access passes: o Senior Staff Retreat o Congressional Leadership Series o Issue Symposia  Opportunity to submit Issue Panel topics and to be a panelist at RAGA National Meetings  Identified as a Platinum Sponsor at all RAGA National Meetings (optional)  National Meeting fees are waived (up to 5 people)  Annual opportunity to lead issue briefings with Republican Attorneys General during RAGA events  Posting access to online RAGA Briefing Room  In-person Political Update with the RAGA Political Director  Product placement opportunities ATTORNEYS GENERAL CAPITAL CLUB ($50,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION)  Access to RAGA Event at 2016 Republican National Convention (details forthcoming)  Access to all RAGA National and Regional Meetings *4 access passes  Access to Capital Club-only events at RAGA National Meetings  Access to Welcome Dinner at RAGA National Meetings  Access to RAGA (and complimentary entry to RLDF Events) *2 access passes: o Senior Staff Retreat o Congressional Leadership Series o Issue Symposia  Opportunity to submit Issue Panel topics and to be a panelist at RAGA National Meetings  National Meeting fees are waived (up to 4 people)  Annual opportunity to lead issue briefings with Republican Attorneys General during RAGA events  Posting access to online RAGA Briefing Room  In-person Political Update with the RAGA Political Director ATTORNEYS GENERAL ROUNDTABLE ($25,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION)  Access to all RAGA National Meetings *3 access passes  National and Regional Meeting fees are waived (up to 3 people)  Participation in exclusive Roundtable events with Republican Attorneys General  Access to Welcome Dinner at RAGA National Meetings  Posting access to online RAGA Briefing Room  In-person Political Update with the RAGA Political Director ATTORNEYS GENERAL COMMITTEE ($15,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION)  Access to all RAGA National Meetings *2 access passes  Participation in Political Update Conference calls with the RAGA Political Director Contributions to RAGA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions will not be used for federal electioneering communications. Contributions may be placed in one of RAGA’s affiliated PACs. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES GRAND OLE PACKAGE - $75,000 • Credentials to RAGA Convention Event • Credentials to RAGA Hospitality Suite at Convention Hall • 4 Hotel Room Reservations at RAGA Host Hotel • Priority Allocation of RNC Convention Credentials • Signage at all RAGA events as Convention Sponsor PRESIDENTIAL PACKAGE - $50,000 • Credentials to RAGA Convention Event • Credentials to RAGA Hospitality Suite at Convention Hall • 3 Hotel Room Reservations at RAGA Host Hotel • Priority Allocation of RNC Convention Credentials • Signage at all RAGA events as Convention Sponsor RED STATE PACKAGE - $25,000 • Credentials to RAGA Convention Event • Credentials to RAGA Hospitality Suite at Convention Hall • 2 Hotel Room Reservations at RAGA Host Hotel • RNC Convention Credentials • Signage at all RAGA events as Convention Sponsor FREEDOM PACKAGE - $15,000 • Credentials to RAGA Convention Event • 1 Hotel Room Reservation at RAGA Host Hotel • Credentials to RAGA Hospitality Suite at Convention Hall • Signage at all RAGA events as Convention Sponsor PARTY PASS - $5,000 • Credentials to RAGA Convention Event **Schedule to be Confirmed **RNC Credentials and Hotel Room Allotments are pending and subject to change **Payment must be made by July 11, 2016 to guarantee benefits For more information please contact Ashley Montenegro, Finance Director at 202-448-7987 or AMontenegro@RepublicanAGs.com Contributions to RAGA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions will not be used for federal electioneering communications. Contributions may be placed in one of RAGA’s affiliated PACs. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Feb. 2, 2016 Congressional Leadership Series ERC and Capital Club members are invited to attend Washington, DC Feb. 21-22, 2016 Winter National Meeting Park Hyatt Washington, DC April 27-28, 2016 Senior Staff Policy Retreat ERC and Capital Club members are invited to attend Salt Lake City, UT Second Quarter, 2016 Congressional Leadership Series ERC and Capital Club members are invited to attend Washington, DC July 9-12, 2016 Summer National Meeting The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, CO July 18-21, 2016 Republican National Convention **sponsorship packages available Cleveland, Ohio August 4-7, 2016 Edmund Randolph Club (ERC) Retreat ERC members are invited to attend Pebble Beach, CA Third Quarter, 2016 Congressional Leadership Series ERC and Capital Club members are invited to attend Washington, DC Fourth Quarter, 2016 Congressional Leadership Series ERC and Capital Club members are invited to attend Washington, DC Nov. 12-14, 2016 Fall National Meeting Omni Barton Creek Austin, TX *Dates and Locations are Subject to Change For Additional Information on upcoming events, membership and/or sponsorship opportunities, Please contact Ashley Montenegro, Finance Director at 202-448-7987 or AMontenegro@RepublicanAGs.com Contributions to RAGA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions will not be used for federal electioneering communications. Contributions may be placed in one of RAGA’s affiliated PACs. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. Mills Appointed ATTORNEYS GENERAL 27 GOP 23 DEM Foster Appointed WA WA Ferguson WA 2016 Sorrell 2016 Stenehjem 2018 Fox 2016 Swanson 2018 Rosenblum 2016 Wasden 2018 Michael Appointed Laxalt 2018 Harris* 2018 Schimel 2018 Jackley* 2018 Coffman 2018 Schuette* 2018 Kane 2016 Miller 2018 Peterson 2018 Reyes 2016 Schneiderman 2018 Madigan 2018 Schmidt 2018 Koster 2016 Zoeller 2016 DeWine* 2018 Beshear 2019 Morrisey OR 2016 Herring 2017 Cooper OR 2016 Slatery Brnovich 2018 Balderas 2018 Pruitt* 2018 Paxton 2018 Appointed Wilson 2018 Rutledge 2018 Landry 2019 OR Hood 2019 Strange* OR 2018 Olens 2018 Bondi* 2018 Chin Appointed GOP Richards Appointed DEM * indicates term limitation for 2018 Healey 2018 Kilmartin* 2018 Jepsen 2018 Hoffman Appointed Denn 2018 Frosh 2018 2016 Republican Attorneys General Luther Strange Alabama Craig Richards Alaska Mark Brnovich Arizona Leslie Rutledge Arkansas Cynthia Coffman Colorado Pam Bondi Florida Sam Olens Georgia Lawrence Wasden Idaho Greg Zoeller Indiana Derek Schmidt Kansas Jeff Landry Louisiana* Bill Schuette Michigan Tim Fox Montana Doug Peterson Nebraska Adam Paul Laxalt Nevada Wayne Stenehjem North Dakota Mike DeWine Ohio Scott Pruitt Oklahoma Alan Wilson South Carolina Marty Jackley South Dakota Herbert Slatery Tennessee Ken Paxton Texas Sean Reyes Utah Patrick Morrisey West Virginia Brad Schimel Wisconsin *Attorney General-Elect Governors, Attorneys General at Odds Over Obama Policies States where governor and top lawyer are from different parties speak with conflicting voices on White House policies By Brett Kendall and Amy Harder, October 8, 2015 Colorado’s Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper wants to help implement the Obama administration’s new environmental rules, but he has been relegated to a spectator role as his state’s attorney general joins three lawsuits to invalidate them. In North Carolina, Republican Gov. Pat McCrory wants his state in court fighting White House environmental and immigration initiatives he views as federal overreach, but is working around the state’s top lawyer—a likely candidate for governor himself—who has criticized that approach. Such disagreements highlight a different kind of divided government in about a dozen states where governors and attorneys general come from opposing parties. That can leave these states speaking with conflicting voices on crucial cases that are testing President Barack Obama’s top policy priorities. Governors, Attorneys General at Odds Over Obama Policies “As the parties have become more polarized, there are more opportunities to back or oppose the president,” said William & Mary law professor Neal Devins. “So many AGs are seeking higher office that there’s a lot of political strategy in the decision on whether to participate in a case.” Multistate litigation has become a hallmark of recent challenges to the White House as Mr. Obama seeks to cement his legacy through executive orders and agency actions. More than two dozen states are challenging the administration’s plan to defer deporting millions of illegal immigrants. Dueling groups of states have clashed in cases challenging the president’s signature health-care law. Twenty or more states could end up in a coalition challenging Environmental Protection Agency rules that would require power plants to cut greenhouse emissions, while a different batch of states is preparing to intervene in defense of the EPA. A state’s legal stance in these cases often, though not always, depends on which party won the last election. But the situation gets murkier when a state’s chief executive and its top legal officer see the world differently. That risks sending mixed messages to courts, residents and other states, especially when one part of the state government is preparing to adopt rules while another part is trying to kill them. Colorado’s wide-ranging litigation efforts, for example, have been spearheaded by GOP Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, who was part of a state coalition that won a ruling last week blocking Interior Department rules for hydraulic fracturing on public lands. She also had Colorado join a group of 13 states that won an August ruling blocking an EPA plan putting more small bodies of water and wetlands under federal protection. And Ms. Coffman recently said she would have Colorado join the suit against the EPA greenhousegas rule, expected to be filed as soon as this month. “The rule is an unprecedented attempt to expand the federal government’s regulatory control over the states’ energy economy,” Ms. Coffman said in announcing her decision. Mr. Hickenlooper, the governor, didn’t encourage the attorney general to join any of the cases; in fact, he is focusing on implementing the regulations, said spokeswoman Kathy Green. “The governor’s approach has been to work collaboratively and avoid costly lawsuits wherever possible,” she said. Similar frictions have arisen in North Carolina, as Gov. McCrory and Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper prepare to face one another in the 2016 governor’s race. The two men at times have been openly critical of each other’s legal positions. Mr. McCrory joined the immigration lawsuit in his own name and authorized his Department of Environment and Natural Resources to challenge the EPA water rule. That department’s head, Donald R. van der Vaart, said the state will also sue over the greenhouse rules. The future of the state’s water and power systems should remain in North Carolina, not Washington, D.C., he said. “We do have an attorney general who is from a different party and who has a different view of the role of the federal government versus the state government,” said Mr. van der Vaart. “It really does put daylight between our two offices.” Mr. Cooper, the North Carolina attorney general, has argued that the immigration lawsuit could impede reform in Congress. And he has told state lawmakers that the state should craft an emissions plan instead of suing the EPA. Governors, Attorneys General at Odds Over Obama Policies Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cooper, said the governor “sues first and asks questions later,” adding that “taxpayer-funded litigation is a costly way to play partisan politics.” Unlike the federal system, in which the president appoints his cabinet, the attorney general is elected in most states. That is intended to give voters more say over their government, but it can lead to tussling over who represents the state when it comes to the law. In Maine, Republican Gov. Paul LePage asked the state’s high court earlier this year whether he needed permission from Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills to hire outside counsel for a lawsuit in which she refused to participate. The court declined to answer the question, though it did say Ms. Mills, who was elected by the legislature, couldn’t direct state litigation she had actively opposed. The dispute unfolded when the LePage administration sued the federal government for rejecting the governor’s plan to drop 19- and 20-year-olds from the state’s Medicaid rolls. Ms. Mills filed a legal brief arguing against the governor’s position. He ultimately lost. LePage spokesman Peter Steele said of Ms. Mills, “although she is supposed to be the lawyer for the governor, she has repeatedly refused to represent the administration.” A Mills spokesman said that among thousands of matters handled by the attorney general, disputes with the governor are rare. During her January swearing-in ceremony, Ms. Mills said, “It’s true, you probably won’t catch Gov. LePage and me sitting down sharing a glass of Chardonnay, eating brie and watching Downton Abbey together. Not likely. But I do respect the chief executive.” James Tierney, director of the National State Attorneys General Program at Columbia Law School, said attorneys general shouldn’t be expected to agree with their governors all the time, and the disputes aren’t always partisan. Mr. Tierney, also said that despite their differences, when it comes to core issues like fighting fraud, Republican and Democratic attorneys general “day-to-day are working together all the time.” http://www.wsj.com/articles/governors-attorneys-general-at-odds-over-obama-policies-1444341403 Full Court Press The Republican state AGs continue to be Obama’s most ­formidable opponents. By Fred Barnes, March 9, 2015 President Obama’s legacy is in jeopardy. The fates of his main achievements—Obamacare, his amnesty for five million illegal immigrants, the Dodd-Frank financial institution reforms—are now in the hands of the federal courts. This is extraordinary. Until Obama, no president has been in a situation in which judges rather than the elected branches of government can decide if his successful initiatives—successful in having been enacted by Congress or himself—live or die. The instigators of putting Obama in a legal box are Republican state attorneys general. Once they began banding together in lawsuits to protect states from encroachments by the federal government, they became a powerful force and a thorn in Obama’s side. There are 27 of them, a majority of state AGs. And they are determined to elect three more in the next two years. When they met in Washington last week, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell showed up to encourage them. He committed himself to help elect a GOP attorney general in Kentucky’s oddyear election this November. “We haven’t had a Republican attorney general in Kentucky since World War II,” McConnell said. Little attention was paid to the office, he said, except by trial lawyers who were “focused like a laser on [electing] Democrats.” The current AG, Jack Conway, is term-limited. So the seat will be open. The prize in last November’s election was Adam Laxalt of Nevada, the grandson of Paul Laxalt, the former senator and governor. Nevada is a swing state and Adam Laxalt, 36, won in a squeaker— 251,539 to 246,671. He immediately joined 25 other Republican AGs in a lawsuit challenging Obama’s immigration actions as unconstitutional. A federal judge in Texas ruled in the AGs’ favor in February. The Obama administration has appealed. Laxalt’s participation irritated Nevada’s Republican governor Brian Sandoval, who supports comprehensive immigration reform. He “continues to believe that the best course of action is a legislative solution rather than legal action,” Sandoval’s spokesman said. Laxalt didn’t need the governor’s approval. Under Nevada law, the attorney general is an independent figure, not the governor’s underling. The rise of the Republican AGs began in 2010, when they sued to stop Obamacare. They failed, but won limits on Medicaid expansion and neutralized the use of the commerce clause to broaden the reach of the federal government. That was followed by another suit against Obamacare, filed by Attorney General Scott Pruitt of Oklahoma, to block the federal exchange used by residents of 37 states from handing out subsidies to buy health insurance. Pruitt argued the health care law didn’t authorize subsidies for those who use the federal exchange, while it specifically allows subsidies to flow through the state-run exchanges. That issue is now before the U.S. Supreme Court (in the case known as King v. Burwell). The case against Dodd-Frank was engaged by 11 state AGs in 2013. They contended the “orderly liquidation authority” granted the Treasury secretary could threaten the investments of state pension funds and strip them of valuable property rights. But they were denied “standing” to join existing plaintiffs against Dodd-Frank. That ruling is under appeal. Despite their success, the AGs were largely ignored by the media and liberals before the Obamacare case. Then in May 2014, an article in the Atlantic was headlined “Big Money Comes to State Attorney-General Races.” You can guess who the funds mostly went to. (It wasn’t Democrats.) In October, the New York Times ran a lengthy piece on lobbyists’ efforts to influence state AGs and another in December critical of Pruitt’s contacts with energy firms. Last month, the liberal website Talking Points Memo pointed to the effectiveness of the Republicans’ suing as a team. “Republican attorneys general have mastered the process,” TPM reporter Dylan Scott wrote. Indeed, they’ve recognized the phenomenon of strength in numbers. Judges are more likely “to take an argument more seriously” if a dozen or two state AGs are making it, says Georgetown University law professor Randy Barnett. Obama’s policies, especially those of the Environmental Protection Agency, have all but asked for legal pushback from states. They trample on states’ rights, federalism, and the rule of law. And Republican AGs insist they’re obligated to defend all three. Now their focus is broadening beyond the Obama administration. Pruitt has started a project to examine state and local laws and regulations—in Oklahoma, in his case—for overreach and other violations. Other AGs are doing the same. “That’s a second shoe to drop,” says Leonard Leo, the executive vice president of the Federalist Society. There’s a third: old independent federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission and newcomers such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. They are ripe for being frisked by Republican attorneys general. Georgia AG Sam Olens says a wave of regulations is sure to pour out of Washington during Obama’s waning presidency. Olens keeps track of regulations, not yet finalized, that are coming down the federal pipeline. “The administration is going to try to do as much as it can using regulatory authority rather than Congress,” he says. “There’s a lot of work to come in the next two years.” There will be many bright attorneys to do it. The offices of state AGs used to be backwaters. Now young conservative lawyers, including many fresh from clerking for conservative Supreme Court justices, are flocking to work for state attorneys general. Champions of Obama’s policies beware. Fred Barnes is an executive editor at The Weekly Standard. Republican AGs a Powerful Force for Good, says Fred Barnes By: Kevin Derby, February 28, 2015 On Saturday, noted conservative pundit Fred Barnes, one of the co-founders of The Weekly Standard magazine and a regular contributor on Fox News, called the 27 Republican state attorneys general the most effective opposition to President Barack Obama. “Republican state attorneys general ... have a common enemy,” Barnes said in his keynote address at a Federalist Society event at Walt Disney World on Saturday before labeling their foe as a “remorseless federal government.” “State attorneys general ... took up the task of blocking President Obama’s ... order to legalize 5 million illegal immigrants in the United States,” Barnes said, adding the GOP Congress “was tied down like Gulliver.” Barnes said these attorneys general were often willing to break with members of their own party, noting Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt was part of the coalition suing Obama on immigration despite Gov. Brian Sandoval, R-Nev., being on the other side of the issue. Insisting the attorneys general were a growing force in the GOP, Barnes noted that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is a supporter of theirs and promised to lead the fight in Kentucky at a Republican Attorneys General Association event earlier this month. Currently, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi leads the Republican Attorneys General Association. Barnes said the Republican attorneys general got on his radar screen back in 2010 when thenFlorida Attorney General Bill McCollum led the constitutional challenge to Obama’s health-care law. Barnes also singled out other fights the attorneys general have launched including suing Republican AGs a Powerful Force for Good, says Fred Barnes over Dodd-Frank and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The conservative pundit wished them well, especially in that last challenge. “EPA is the most encroachment minded of all the government agencies in Washington,” Barnes insisted, pointing to its actions on mining and fracking. “EPA wants to control everything, whether its their jurisdiction or not.” Barnes said the Republican attorneys general were effective due to their common agenda and a changing legal culture, praising groups like the Federalist Society for nurturing conservative attorneys. “They have a vision,” Barnes said of the Republican attorneys general. “Their vision is basically to reinvigorate federalism.” Praising their efforts, Barnes insisted the attorneys general were the main opposition to Obama. “Obama’s legacy is in jeopardy,” Barnes said. “The future of his accomplishments is very much in jeopardy.”