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2020 United States attorney general elections

← 2019 November 3, 2020 2022 →
2021 (VA) →
10 attorney general offices 10 states
Majority party Minority party   Party Republican Democratic Seats before 22 21 Seats after 22 21 Seat change Popular vote 13,870,574 13,082,140 Percentage 50.66% 47.78% Seats up 5 5 Seats won 5 5
Democratic hold      Republican hold      No election

The 2020 United States attorney general elections were held on November 3, 2020, in 10 states. The previous attorney general elections for this group of states took place in 2016, except in Vermont where attorneys general only serve two-year terms and elected their current attorney general in 2018. Nine state attorneys general ran for reelection and eight won, while Republican Tim Fox of Montana could not run again due to term limits and Republican Curtis Hill of Indiana was eliminated in the Republican convention.

The elections took place concurrently with the 2020 presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives and Senate, and numerous state and local elections.

No attorneys general offices changed party control in 2020.

Election predictions

Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of the incumbent (if the incumbent is running for re-election), the strength of the candidates, and the partisan leanings of the state (reflected in part by the state's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, with the rating indicating the predicted advantage that a party has in winning that seat.

Most election predictors use:

• "tossup": no advantage
• "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean"
• "lean": slight advantage
• "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage
• "safe": near-certain chance of victory

Statistics

Race summary

Closest races

States where the margin of victory was under 1%

1. North Carolina, 0.26%

States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5%:

1. Pennsylvania, 4.52%

Blue denotes races won by Democrats.

Indiana

2020 Indiana Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Candidate Todd Rokita Jonathan Weinzapfel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,717,924 1,226,938 Percentage 58.3% 41.7%

County results Rokita:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Weinzapfel:      50–60%      60–70%

Attorney General before election Curtis Hill Republican Elected Attorney General Todd Rokita Republican

The 2020 Indiana Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the attorney general of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Democratic primary convention was scheduled for June 13, 2020. The Republican primary convention was scheduled with a live stream on June 18, 2020, followed by mail-in voting between June 22 and July 9.

Incumbent Attorney General Curtis Hill ran for re-election, but was defeated at the Republican nominating convention by former U.S. Representative Todd Rokita, who eventually won after three rounds of votes. Jonathan Weinzapfel, former mayor of Evansville, narrowly won the Democratic nomination at the party's nominating convention.

In the general election, Rokita defeated Weinzapfel by approximately 500,000 votes, a margin of more than 16 percentage points. Due to a smaller third-party vote, both Rokita and Weinzapfel received a larger percentage of the vote than their party's candidates in the state's presidential and gubernatorial elections. Rokita carried Tippecanoe County, which voted for Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race, while Weinzapfel carried his home of Vanderburgh County, which voted for Republicans Donald Trump and Eric Holcomb in the presidential and gubernatorial races.

Democratic convention

Republican convention

General election

2020 Indiana Attorney General election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Todd Rokita	1,722,007	58.34	3.97
	Democratic	Jonathan Weinzapfel	1,229,644	41.66	3.97
Total votes			2,951,651	100.00
	Republican hold

Missouri

2020 Missouri Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Eric Schmitt Richard Finneran Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,745,353 1,108,944 Percentage 59.46% 37.78%

County results Schmitt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Finneran:      50–60%      70–80%

Attorney General before election Eric Schmitt Republican Elected Attorney General Eric Schmitt Republican

The 2020 Missouri Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the attorney general of Missouri. It was held concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, along with elections to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, as well as various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected to a full term, defeating Democrat Rich Finneran. He was appointed by Governor Mike Parson after Josh Hawley was elected to the U.S Senate in 2018.

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Montana

2020 Montana Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Austin Knudsen Raph Graybill Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 348,322 247,025 Percentage 58.5% 41.5%

County results Knudsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100% Graybill:      50–60%      60–70%

Attorney General before election Tim Fox Republican Elected Attorney General Austin Knudsen Republican

The 2020 Montana Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the attorney general of the U.S. state of Montana. Incumbent Republican Montana Attorney General Tim Fox was re-elected in 2016 with 67.7% of the vote. Fox was term-limited and was ineligible to run for re-election. Fox decided to run for the Governor of Montana election, losing the nomination to Greg Gianforte. Republican Austin Knudsen defeated Republican Jon Bennion in the primary and defeated Democrat Raph Graybill in the general election by over 14 points.

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

North Carolina

2020 North Carolina Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Josh Stein Jim O'Neill Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,713,400 2,699,778 Percentage 50.13% 49.87%

County results Stein:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80–90% O'Neill:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Attorney General before election Josh Stein Democratic Elected Attorney General Josh Stein Democratic

The 2020 North Carolina Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the attorney general of North Carolina, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Party primary elections were held on March 3, 2020.

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, first elected in 2016, ran for re-election against Republican Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill. With a narrow margin separating Stein and O'Neill, the Associated Press was finally able to call Stein the winner on Nov. 17, 2020 (two weeks after Election Day).

Republican primary

Democratic primary

This primary was canceled because Attorney General Josh Stein was uncontested.

General election

Oregon

2020 Oregon Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Candidate Ellen Rosenblum Michael Cross Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,264,716 934,357 Percentage 56.0% 41.3%

County results Rosenblum:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cross:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Attorney General before election Ellen Rosenblum Democratic Elected Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum Democratic

The 2020 Oregon Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the attorney general of Oregon. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum was originally appointed to the role by former Governor John Kitzhaber on June 29, 2012 to finish the term of her predecessor John Kroger, who resigned from office. She was elected to a full term in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. This office is not subject to term limits, and Rosenblum won a third full term, defeating Republican activist Michael Cross who led an unsuccessful 2019 attempt to recall Governor Kate Brown.

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Pennsylvania

2020 Pennsylvania Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Josh Shapiro Heather Heidelbaugh Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 3,461,215 3,153,677 Percentage 50.9% 46.3%

County results Shapiro:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      80–90% Heidelbaugh:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Attorney General before election Josh Shapiro Democratic Elected Attorney General Josh Shapiro Democratic

The 2020 Pennsylvania Attorney General was held on November 3, 2020. Primary elections were originally due to take place on April 28, 2020. However, following concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States including Pennsylvania, the primaries were delayed until June 2, 2020. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro defeated Republican Heather Heidelbaugh to win a second term.

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Utah

2020 Utah Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) 2024 →

Dem LP Nominee Sean Reyes Greg Skordas Rudy Bautista Party Republican Democratic Libertarian Popular vote 878,853 489,499 82,444 Percentage 60.58% 33.74% 5.68%

County results Reyes:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Skordas:      40-50%      50-60%

Attorney General before election Sean Reyes Republican Elected Attorney General Sean Reyes Republican

The 2020 Utah Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020 along with several federal and state elections.

Incumbent Attorney General Sean Reyes was re-elected to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Greg Skordas and Libertarian nominee Rudy Bautista.

Republican primary

Democratic convention

Greg Skordas ran unopposed for the nomination.

Libertarian convention

Defense attorney Rudy Bautista won the nomination.

General election

Vermont

2020 Vermont Attorney General election

← 2018 November 3, 2020 2022 →

Nominee T. J. Donovan H. Brooke Paige Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 234,081 94,892 Percentage 63.10% 25.58%

County results Donovan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Attorney General before election T. J. Donovan Democratic Elected Attorney General T. J. Donovan Democratic

The 2020 Vermont Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020 along with several federal and state elections.

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General T. J. Donovan won re-election in a landslide over Republican H. Brooke Paige.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Progressive primary

General election

Washington

2020 Washington Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Bob Ferguson Matt Larkin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,226,418 1,714,927 Percentage 56.43% 43.47%

County results Ferguson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Larkin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Attorney General before election Bob Ferguson Democratic Elected Attorney General Bob Ferguson Democratic

The 2020 Washington Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020 along with several federal and state elections.

Incumbent Attorney General Bob Ferguson ran for re-election. He finished first in the open primary, receiving 56% of the vote, and then defeated primary runner-up Republican Matt Larkin in the general election.

Results

West Virginia

2020 West Virginia Attorney General election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →

Nominee Patrick Morrisey Sam Petsonk Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 487,250 276,798 Percentage 63.77% 36.23%

County results Morrisey:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Petsonk:      50–60%

Attorney General before election Patrick Morrisey Republican Elected Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Republican

The 2020 West Virginia Attorney General election was held on November 3, 2020 along with several federal and state elections.

Republican incumbent Patrick Morrisey ran for re-election after being re-elected with 51.6% of the vote in 2016. He was unopposed in the Republican primary and faced Democrat Sam Petsonk on election day. He defeated Petsonk in a landslide.

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

See also

• 2021 Virginia Attorney General election

Notes

1. Seat tallies and popular vote do not include states that do not elect attorneys general or territorial attorneys general.
2. Schmitt took office after his predecessor (Josh Hawley) resigned.
3. Rosenblum took office after her predecessor (John Kroger) resigned. She was subsequently elected in the 2012 Oregon Attorney General election.

References

1. "U.S. Attorney General Elections Popular Vote Tracker". Twitter. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
2. "Attorney General elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
3. O'Connor, Cozen (2020). "Guide to State Attorneys General". The State AG Report. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
4. "2016 State PVI Changes – Decision Desk HQ". decisiondeskhq.com. December 15, 2017. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
5. Parentheses around an incumbent's name indicates that the incumbent is not running for re-election.
6. "An Updated Look at Handicapping the 2020 Attorney General Elections". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
7. "Democrats select Weinzapfel to face GOP nominee for Attorney General in November". IndyStar. June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
8. Indiana Secretary of State (November 24, 2020). "Certification of the Official Canvass of the Votes Cast for Certain Candidates for Election or Retention at the November 3, 2020 Indiana General Election" (PDF).
9. "Missouri Attorney General Schmitt seeks election". ABC17NEWS. Associated Press. 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
10. ^ "State of Missouri - State of Missouri - Primary Election, August 04, 2020". Missouri Secretary of State.
11. "Election Night Results". State of Missouri. Missouri Secretary of State. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
12. Dennison, Mike (January 24, 2019). "Attorney General Fox launches gubernatorial bid". KRTV. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
13. "Montana Statewide Election Results". Montana Secretary of State. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
14. Friedman, Corey (November 9, 2016). "Josh Stein bests Buck Newton in attorney general race". The Wilson Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
15. "Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein Wins Reelection". WUNC. November 18, 2020.
16. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. North Carolina Board of Elections. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
17. "North Carolina Attorney General election, 2020". Ballotpedia. March 29, 2021. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08.
18. "State Composite Abstract Report - Contest.pdf" (PDF). North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
19. Cole, Michelle (June 6, 2012). "Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber names Ellen Rosenblum as interim attorney general". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
20. ^ "May 19, 2020, Primary Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
21. "November 3, 2020, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
22. Levy, Marc; Scolforo, Mark (March 25, 2020). "Pennsylvania lawmakers vote to delay primary election". AP NEWS. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
23. ^ Boockvar, Kathy. "Pennsylvania Elections - Office Results | Attorney General". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
24. "2020 Presidential Election -Attorney General". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
25. "2020-Primary-Election-Canvass.pdf" (PDF). voteinfo.utah.gov. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
26. "Election Results". Associated Press. November 27, 2020.
27. ^ "Vermont Attorney General election, 2020". Ballotpedia.
28. Election Results (PDF), November 27, 2020
29. "August 4, 2020 Primary Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
30. "November 3, 2020 General Election Results - State Executive". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
31. "November 3, 2020 General Election - Official Results". West Virginia State - Clarity Elections. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

• 2020 United States Attorney General elections