State attorneys-general are shaping national policy
Despite not being elected to do so
To foreigners looking in, it is unusual enough that America elects most of its top prosecutors. More shocking is the amount of money going into political campaigns. Now the two have come together in a way that would make even the least wonky American curious. Between 2008 and 2022 the cost of state attorney-general races rose from $17m to $222m. Over that period governors’ contests became only eight—rather than 12—times pricier and those of state senators merely doubled.
Explore more
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Generalising”
United States February 10th 2024
- Trump’s lead over Biden may be smaller than it looks
- What the death of America’s border bill says about toxic congressional politics
- A court rejects Donald Trump’s claim to absolute immunity
- Congress might just pass an astonishingly sensible tax deal
- Florida too may have an abortion referendum in November
- State attorneys-general are shaping national policy
- This is not a story about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl
From the February 10th 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
Donald Trump may find it harder to dominate America’s conversation
A more fragmented media is tougher to manage
An FBI sting operation catches Jackson’s mayor taking big bribes
What the sensational undoing of the black leader means for Mississippi’s failing capital
America’s rural-urban divide nurtures wannabe state-splitters
What’s behind a new wave of secessionism
Does Donald Trump have unlimited authority to impose tariffs?
Yes, but other factors could hold him back
As Jack Smith exits, Donald Trump’s allies hint at retribution
The president-elect hopes to hand the Justice Department to loyalists
Democratic states are preparing for Donald Trump’s return
But Mr Trump will be more prepared, too