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 office of the attorney general is subdivided into five divisions: appellant (overseen by the Kentucky solicitor general), child support services, civil, criminal, and criminal investigations.
The attorney general of Kentucky is currently Republican Russell Coleman.
List of attorneys general of Kentucky # Image Name Political party Term1George NicholasFederalist1792–17932John Breckinridge Democratic-Republican1793–17973James BlairDemocratic-Republican1797–18204Joseph M. WhiteDemocratic-Republican18205Ben HardinDemocratic-Republican1820–18216Solomon P. SharpDemocratic-Republican1821–18257Frederick W. S. GraysonJacksonian1825–18258James W. DennyJacksonian1825–18329Charles MoreheadWhig1832–183810Owen G. CotesDemocratic1838–184911Madison Conyers JohnsonDemocratic184912James HarlanWhig1849–185913Andrew J. JamesDemocratic1859–186114John M. Harlan Union1861–1865 15John RodmanDemocratic1865–187516Thomas Edward MossDemocratic1875–187917Parker Watkins HardinDemocratic1879–188918William J. HendrickDemocratic1889–189619William S. TaylorRepublican1896–190020Robert J. Breckinridge Jr.Democratic1900–190221Clifton J. PrattRepublican1902–190422N. B. HaysDemocratic1904–190823James BreathittRepublican1908–191224James GarnettDemocratic1912–191625M. M. LoganDemocratic1916–191726Charles H. MorrisDemocratic1917–192027Charles I. DawsonRepublican1920–192328Thomas Burnett McGregorDemocratic1923–192429Frank E. DaughertyDemocratic1924–192830James W. CammackDemocraticKentucky Official Primary Ballot, Democratic party, August 6, 19271928–193231Bailey P. WoottonDemocratic1932–193632B. M. VincentDemocratic1936–193733Hubert MeredithDemocratic1937–194434Eldon S. DummitRepublican1944–194835Alvarado E. FunkDemocratic1948–195236J. D. Buckman, Jr.Democratic1952–195637Jo M. FergusonDemocratic1956–196038John Bayne BreckinridgeDemocratic1960–196439Robert F. Matthews, Jr.Democratic1964–196840John Bayne BreckinridgeDemocratic1968–197241Ed W. HancockDemocratic1972–197642Robert F. StephensDemocratic1976–1979ActingSteve BeshearDemocratic1979–1980431980–198444David L. ArmstrongDemocratic1984–198845Fred CowanDemocratic1988–1992 46Chris GormanDemocratic 1992–1996 47Ben ChandlerDemocratic1996–200448Greg StumboDemocratic2004–200849Jack ConwayDemocratic2008–201650Andy BeshearDemocratic2016–2019ActingDaniel CameronRepublican2019–2020512020–202452Russell ColemanRepublican2024–present
References
External links Kentucky Attorney General official website