Larry Long (politician)

Larry Long (born September 30, 1947) is an American judge and the former 29th Attorney General of the state of South Dakota, United States.[1] A Republican, he was first elected Attorney General in 2002 and left office in 2009 to accept an appointment by Gov. Mike Rounds to a judgeship in the state's Second Judicial District.

Larry Long
29th Attorney General of South Dakota
In office
2003–2009
GovernorMike Rounds
Preceded byMark Barnett
Succeeded byMarty Jackley
Personal details
Born (1947-09-30) September 30, 1947 (age 77)
Brookings, South Dakota
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJan Long
Children2
Alma materSouth Dakota State University (BS)
University of South Dakota (JD)

Early life and education

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He graduated from South Dakota State University in 1969 and University of South Dakota School of Law in 1972.

2002 South Dakota Attorney General election

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On April 12, 2002, Chief Deputy Attorney General Larry Long, declared he was running for Attorney General.[2] Lawrence County States Attorney John H. Fitzgerald and Pennington County States Attorney Glenn Brenner also entered the race.[3] Long would go on to win the Republican nomination at the Republican convention with 63.6% of the vote; Fitzgerald received 22.2% and Brenner received 14.2%. .[4]

Beadle County States Attorney Mike Moore had declared he would run for the Democrat nomination, but agreed to step aside for state senator Ron J. Volesky who finished 2nd in the Democrat Gubernatorial race to James Abbott.[5]

Larry won the general election by defeating Democrat Ron Volesky and Libertarian Bob Newland. Larry received 174,513 (53.52%)votes; Ron received 139,451 (42.76%) votes and Bob received 12,131 (3.72%) votes.[6]

2006 South Dakota Attorney General election

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Larry won reelection by defeating Democrat Ron Voelsky for the second time and Libertarian Randy Ristesund for the first time. Larry received 207,079 (64.66%) votes; Ron received 104,267 (32.56%) votes and Randy received 8,904 (2.78%) votes.[7]

Attorney General of South Dakota

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Larry developed the 24/7 Sobriety program wherein Defendant would come in to do a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) twice a day to prove they had not been using alcohol while out on bond. This program allowed the Defendant to continue to work and provide for his/her basic needs as well as his family, but hold him/her accountable while they awaited trial.[8]

Larry also argued one case before the U.S. Supreme Court during his time as Attorney General of South Dakota. He resigned in 2009 to become a judge of the South Dakota Circuit Court.

Rhines v. Weber, 544 U.S. 269 (2005)

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This case involved a habeas corpus challenge against the state (in the person of Warden Doug Weber) by Charles Russell Rhines, who was on death row at the time. The case involved the manner in which state and federal laws interact, for the purpose of allowing a federal court to stay a habeas case based on state law issues. Attorney General Larry Long argued for the state, but the court ruled unanimously for Rhines.[9] Rhines was subsequently executed in 2019 by lethal injection.[10]

Awards and Accomplishments

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While a judge, Long received the Justice Management Institute Award for Excellence.[11]

Personal

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Long is married; he and his wife Jan have two children.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2018-05-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Section B, page 1
  3. ^ Rapid City Journal, May 26, 2002, Page A7
  4. ^ Rapid City Journal, June 23, 2002, page A1-A2
  5. ^ Rapid City Journal, June 13, 2002, page B2
  6. ^ "2002 General Election Returns". sdsos.gov. November 2002. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "2006 General Election Returns". sdsos.gov. November 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "Attorney General Jackley touts Milestones reached in 24/7 Sobriety Program". thewinneradvocate.com. April 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "South Dakota Attorneys General at the US Supreme Court". sodakgovs.wordpress.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  10. ^ "Convicted killer Charles Rhines executed in South Dakota for stabbing co-worker in 1992". CBS News. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  11. ^ "Judge Larry Long and Attorney General Marty Jackley receive the Justice Management Institute" (PDF). atg.sd.gov. November 13, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of South Dakota
2002, 2006
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by 29th Attorney General of South Dakota
2003–2009
Succeeded by