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Attorney General of Kentucky

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Attorney General of Kentucky
Seal of the attorney general
since January 1, 2024
StyleThe Honorable
Term lengthFour years, two term limit
Inaugural holderGeorge Nicholas
1792
FormationKentucky Constitution
Salary$139,724.88[1]
WebsiteOffice of the Attorney General

The attorney general of Kentucky is the chief legal officer of the U.S. state of Kentucky, created by the Kentucky Constitution (Ky.Const. § 91). Under Kentucky law, they serve several roles, including the state's chief prosecutor (KRS 15.700), the state's chief law enforcement officer (KRS 15.700), and the state's chief law officer (KRS 15.020). As the chief prosecutor, the attorney general is the chairman of the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council, which supervises the prosecutors of Kentucky (KRS 15.700, KRS 15.705). As chief law officer, they write opinions to advise government officials and agencies concerning the law. (KRS 15.020). The attorney general holds an ex officio seat on various Kentucky state boards and agencies.

The attorney general of Kentucky is elected for a four-year term in the same year other statewide officers are elected, rather than being appointed as in some states such as Alaska. A 1992 amendment to the Kentucky Constitution permits the attorney general of Kentucky to serve two consecutive terms. (Ky.Const. § 93). The attorney general appoints a deputy and various assistants to the attorney general, who have the power to act on his behalf. (KRS 15.100(1)).

The attorney general of Kentucky is currently Republican Russell Coleman.

List of attorneys general of Kentucky

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# Image Name Political party Term
1 George Nicholas Federalist 1792–1793
2 John Breckinridge Democratic-Republican 1793–1797
3 James Blair Democratic-Republican 1797–1820
4 Joseph M. White Democratic-Republican 1820
5 Ben Hardin Democratic-Republican 1820–1821
6 Solomon P. Sharp Democratic-Republican 1821–1825
7 Frederick W. S. Grayson Jacksonian 1825–1825
8 James W. Denny Jacksonian 1825–1832
9 Charles Morehead Whig 1832–1838
10 Owen G. Cotes Democratic 1838–1849
11 Madison Conyers Johnson Democratic 1849
12 James Harlan Whig 1849–1859
13 Andrew J. James Democratic 1859–1861
14 John M. Harlan Union 1861–1865
15 John Rodman Democratic 1865–1875
16 Thomas Edward Moss Democratic 1875–1879
17 Parker Watkins Hardin Democratic 1879–1889
18 William J. Hendrick Democratic 1889–1896
19 William S. Taylor Republican 1896–1900
20 R. J. Breckinridge Democratic 1900–1902
21 C. J. Pratt Democratic 1902–1904
22 N. B. Hays Democratic 1904–1908
23 James Breathitt Republican 1908–1912
24 James Garnett Democratic 1912–1916
25 M. M. Logan Democratic 1916–1917
26 Charles H. Morris Democratic 1917–1920
27 Charles I. Dawson Republican 1920–1923
28 Thomas Burnett McGregor Democratic 1923–1924
29 Frank E. Daugherty Democratic 1924–1928
30 James W. Cammack Democratic[2] 1928–1932
31 Bailey P. Wootton Democratic 1932–1936
32 B. M. Vincent Democratic 1936–1937
33 Hubert Meredith Democratic 1937–1944
34 Eldon S. Dummit Republican 1944–1948
35 Alvarado E. Funk Democratic 1948–1952
36 J. D. Buckman, Jr. Democratic 1952–1956
37 Jo M. Ferguson Democratic 1956–1960
38 John Bayne Breckinridge Democratic 1960–1964
39 Robert F. Matthews, Jr. Democratic 1964–1968
40 John Bayne Breckinridge Democratic 1968–1972
41 Ed W. Hancock Democratic 1972–1976
42 Robert F. Stephens Democratic 1976–1979
Acting Steve Beshear Democratic 1979–1980
43 1980–1984
44 David L. Armstrong Democratic 1984–1988
45 Fred Cowan Democratic 1988–1992
46 Chris Gorman Democratic 1992–1996
47 Ben Chandler Democratic 1996–2004
48 Greg Stumbo Democratic 2004–2008
49 Jack Conway Democratic 2008–2016
50 Andy Beshear Democratic 2016–2019
Acting Daniel Cameron[3] Republican 2019–2020
51 2020–2024
52 Russell Coleman Republican 2024–present

References

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  1. ^ "Transparency.ky.gov - Salary Search". May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Kentucky Official Primary Ballot, Democratic party, August 6, 1927
  3. ^ "Andy Beshear appoints Attorney General-elect Daniel Cameron to fill remainder of his term". WYMT. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
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The Kentucky Attorney General's Office is divided into the following divisions:

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