SouthernWorldwide.com – Republican attorney general candidates are making a strategic bet that issues of crime, border security, and public safety will be the primary drivers for voters heading to the polls in November. They are positioning themselves as the leading advocates against Democratic policies concerning immigration and law enforcement.
The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), along with its affiliated organizations, is launching an assertive $11 million television advertising campaign across crucial battleground states this fall. Initial ad placements are specifically targeting attorney general races in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Kansas.
Republicans contend that this concerted effort reflects a broader strategy to put Democrats on the defensive regarding crime and public safety, particularly in some of the nation’s most closely contested statewide elections.
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“There’s no doubt in my mind that the winning message for AG races nationwide in 2026 will be public safety,” stated Knudsen. “Americans are concerned about public safety, they support law enforcement, and they prioritize border security.”
Knudsen further elaborated that attorney general races have become increasingly nationalized. This is due to their capacity to swiftly challenge federal policies through legal actions and collaborative multistate coalitions.
Republican attorneys general have achieved significant legal victories against the Biden administration. A notable example includes their successful challenge to President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which ultimately led to the Supreme Court striking down the program in the case of Biden v. Nebraska. Furthermore, coalitions of GOP attorneys general have initiated lawsuits to block the administration’s revised SAVE repayment plan, securing court orders that have delayed certain aspects of the program.
States led by Republican attorneys general have also contested the Biden administration’s efforts to broaden Title IX protections to encompass gender identity. This has effectively transformed attorney general offices into a central battleground in the nation’s culture wars.
“Congress discusses; attorneys general act,” Knudsen emphasized. “When we identify detrimental policies originating from Washington, D.C., we can mobilize rapidly and file lawsuits.”
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These planned television ad reservations build upon an already expanding Republican outreach initiative. For instance, the campaign for Iowa Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has already allocated over $2 million for fall television advertising. RAGA also reported a record-breaking fundraising total of $29.3 million across its affiliated entities in 2025.
Adam Piper, Executive Director of RAGA, indicated that Republicans intend to leverage what they perceive as widespread voter dissatisfaction with progressive criminal justice policies championed by Democrats in key battleground states.
“RAGA has a strong strategic map for 2026 and will be on the offensive,” Piper stated. “The reality is that voters prioritize public safety and favor Republican AGs who actively combat crime and achieve victories in court, rather than Democratic AGs who appear to cater to criminals with policies like cashless bail.”
“These early television reservations and direct candidate investments are merely an initial commitment of the resources RAGA will deploy this fall,” Piper added. “Democrats should understand that Republican AGs are not playing defense; we are taking the fight directly to them.”
The Republican Party is placing Michigan at the forefront of this argument.
In Michigan, Democrats have nominated Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit. His office was the first in the state to discontinue seeking cash bail and announced it would no longer prosecute certain low-level drug offenses.
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“People desire to feel secure in their communities, and they are not currently experiencing that sense of security,” commented Lloyd. “This is an issue with an overwhelming majority of support, approximately 80-20.”
Lloyd also accused Democratic prosecutors of selectively choosing not to enforce existing laws. This particular issue is one that Republicans increasingly plan to highlight on a national scale.
In Georgia, Republicans are focusing their attention on Democratic attorney general nominee Tanya Miller. Her vote against HB 1105, a bill mandating local officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in the wake of the Laken Riley incident, is a key point of contention.
Knudsen noted that Republicans have gained valuable insights during the Biden administration regarding the extent to which voters expect attorneys general to aggressively challenge Democratic policies in legal proceedings.
“We have witnessed the influx of fentanyl, cartel fentanyl, and methamphetamine from the southern border during Joe Biden’s presidency, which has affected every state,” Knudsen remarked.
Knudsen reiterated that Republicans learned crucial lessons during the Biden administration about how actively voters want attorneys general to confront Democratic policies in court.
“I believe people have come to realize the significance of attorney general races, and we’ve garnered much more attention due to our accomplishments,” Knudsen stated. “As attorneys general, we possess the agility to act swiftly, and our primary function is litigation, which is precisely what we do.”
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“Therefore, when we encounter unfavorable developments originating from Washington, D.C., or significant national issues, we can mobilize with expediency.”
