Attorney General of Nebraska
| Nebraska Attorney General | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $95,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $17,688,114 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Four years |
| Authority: | Nebraska Constitution, Article IV, Section I |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
Attorney General of Nebraska
Mike Hilgers | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| Other Nebraska Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Director • Insurance Director • Natural Resources Director • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission • Board of Regents | |
The Attorney General of Nebraska is the chief representative for legal matters of for the state of Nebraska. The attorney general is separated into the civil litigation bureau, criminal bureau, legal services bureau and the public protection bureau. The duties and authority of the office are derived from the state constitution, statutory enactments and common law.[1]
Nebraska has a Republican triplex. The Republican Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Attorney General of Nebraska is Mike Hilgers (R). Hilgers assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of attorney general in Article IV, the Executive Department.
Under Article IV, Section I:
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The executive officers of the state shall be the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and the heads of such other executive departments as set forth herein or as may be established by law. |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Attorney General of Nebraska has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Elections
The Office of Attorney General is a publicly elected position with elections held every four years. Elections are held in November and officers assume their duties the following January. (Nebraska Constitution, Article IV § 1)
2022
- See also: Nebraska Attorney General election, 2022
General election
General election for Attorney General of Nebraska
Mike Hilgers defeated Larry Bolinger in the general election for Attorney General of Nebraska on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mike Hilgers (R) | 69.7 | 434,671 | |
| Larry Bolinger (Legal Marijuana Now Party) | 30.3 | 188,649 | ||
| Total votes: 623,320 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Nebraska
Mike Hilgers defeated Jennifer Hicks in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Nebraska on May 10, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mike Hilgers | 67.2 | 151,709 | |
| Jennifer Hicks | 32.8 | 73,906 | ||
| Total votes: 225,615 | ||||
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Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election
Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Attorney General of Nebraska
Larry Bolinger advanced from the Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Attorney General of Nebraska on May 10, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Larry Bolinger | 100.0 | 912 | |
| Total votes: 912 | ||||
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2018
- See also: Nebraska Attorney General election, 2018
General election
General election for Attorney General of Nebraska
Incumbent Doug Peterson won election in the general election for Attorney General of Nebraska on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Doug Peterson (R) | 100.0 | 516,777 | |
| Total votes: 516,777 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Nebraska
Evangelos Argyrakis advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Nebraska on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Evangelos Argyrakis | 100.0 | 67,022 |
| Total votes: 67,022 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Nebraska
Incumbent Doug Peterson advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Nebraska on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Doug Peterson | 100.0 | 140,675 | |
| Total votes: 140,675 | ||||
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2014
- See also: Nebraska Attorney General election, 2014
| Attorney General of Nebraska, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Doug Peterson |
66.1% | 339,846 | |
| Democratic | Janet Stewart | 33.9% | 174,614 | |
| Total Votes | 514,460 | |||
| Election results via Nebraska Secretary of State | ||||
Full History
To view the electoral history dating back to 2002 for the office of Attorney General of Nebraska, click [show] to expand the section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2010
Jon Bruning won without opposition in the general election. 2006 Jon Bruning won without opposition in the general election. 2002
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Term limits
There are no term limits for the office of Nebraska Attorney General.
Vacancies
As established by Article IV, Section 11 of the Nebraska Constitution, in the event of a vacancy in the office of attorney general, the governor fills the office by appointment. The appointee serves until a successor is elected and qualified.
Duties
General duties
Some of the general duties of the office of the attorney general include:[2]
- Uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of the State of Nebraska;
- Achieve a higher level of public safety and security by promoting vigorous prosecution of murderers, drug dealers, child abusers and other criminals;
- Promote stronger law enforcement and reform in criminal procedure and criminal law;
- Provide skilled assistance to local prosecutors in highly technical or complex cases involving murder, illegal drugs and the prosecution of child sexual abuse;
- Prevent and prosecute consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices, and protect Nebraskans from fraudulent business activities and scams through educational outreach;
- Uphold and protect the civil rights of all Nebraskans;
- Defend Nebraska's interests in disputes with other states over irrigation water and stream flows;
- Protect the public health and safety of Nebraskans by vigorously pursuing disciplinary actions against health care professionals who endanger the public by violations of health regulations or drug laws;
- Provide professional legal representation in all civil proceedings on behalf of the state;
- Reduce the time and resources devoted by the state to defending claims by inmates of correctional facilities.
Role in the initiative process
Unlike many states, Nebraska's initiative guidelines dictate that a ballot title is not issued until signatures are being verified. Thus the attorney general does not receive a copy of the ballot until the signatures are turned into the state four months prior to the election.
It is at this point that the attorney general will assign a ballot title to the initiative, which will be certified by the Nebraska Secretary of State.
The attorney general will then write a ballot question that summarizes the initiative in 100 words or less. The office is also in charge of writing the effect of a vote for or against the measure, both items which will appear on the ballot.[2]
Ballot language court appeals
If any citizen believes the ballot language is not sufficient or fair, they may file in district court asking for the language to be changed. This must occur within ten days after the language is filed with the secretary of state.
If there aren't any appeal, then the language written by the attorney general is considered final and is issued to the secretary of state for official placement on the ballot.[2]
Divisions
As of January 11, 2021, the Office of the Attorney General of Nebraska contains the following divisions:
- Civil Litigation Bureau: this department works on civil rights claims, inmate litigation, worker's compensation, tort claim lawsuits, employment discrimination and equal opportunity commission.
- Criminal Bureau: this department working on child protection, criminal appeals, domestic violence and internet safety.
- Legal Services Bureau: provides legal advice to over 60 state agencies, boards, commissions, departments and offices. The department also is in charge of antitrust, probate, and escheat, and other specialized matters including election law and constitutional litigation. The Legal Services Bureau researches and drafts most attorney general opinions for review by the attorney general and also review rules and regulations for statutory authority and constitutionality.
- Public Protection Bureau: enforces laws and regulations for agriculture, environment and natural resources. This department is also in charge of consumer protections; health and licensing; the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; Tobacco Enforcement; the Liquor Control Commission; One-Call Notification Act (the bureau files actions for civil penalties against individuals who fail to call the Digger’s Hotline prior to excavation of a pipeline site); and Administrative License Revocation.[2]
Campaign finance
The Attorney General of Nebraska is responsible for handling all prosecutions of criminal violations of Nebraska's campaign finance laws.[3] The first step in filing a complaint is to file with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. It is up to the NADC to determine probable cause of a complaint before the attorney general can move on with prosecution the case.[4] The NADC handles all civil law violations.[4]
State budget
- See also: Nebraska state budget and finances
The budget for the attorney general's office in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 was $17,688,114.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The salaries of elected executive officials are set by the Nebraska State Legislature as mandated by the state constitution. Article IV, Section 25 states the following:
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The officers provided for in this article shall receive such salaries as may be provided by law. Such officers, or such other officers as may be provided for by law, shall not receive for their own use any fees, costs, or interest upon public money in their hands. |
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2021
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2020
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the attorney general earned a salary of $95,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the attorney general was paid an estimated $95,000.[15]
Historical officeholders
There have been 33 Attorneys General of Nebraska since 1867. Of the 33 officeholders, 26 were Republican, six were Democratic and one was Democratic/Populist.[16]
| List of Former Officeholders from 1867-Present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
| 1 | Champion S. Chase | 1867-1869 | |||
| 2 | Seth Robinson | 1869-1871 | |||
| 3 | George H. Roberts | 1871-1873 | |||
| 4 | Joseph R. Webster | 1873-1875 | |||
| 5 | George H. Roberts | 1875-1879 | |||
| 6 | C. J. Dilworth | 1879-1883 | |||
| 7 | Isaac Powers Jr. | 1883-1885 | |||
| 8 | William Leese | 1885-1891 | |||
| 9 | George H. Hastings | 1891-1895 | |||
| 10 | Arthur S. Churchill | 1895-1897 | |||
| 11 | Constantine J. Smyth | 1897-1901 | |||
| 12 | Frank N. Prout | 1901-1905 | |||
| 13 | Norris Brown | 1905-1907 | |||
| 14 | William T. Thompson | 1907-1910 | |||
| 15 | Arthur F. Mullen | 1910-1911 | |||
| 16 | Grant G. Martin | 1911-1915 | |||
| 17 | Willis E. Reed | 1915-1919 | |||
| 18 | Clarence A. Davis | 1919-1923 | |||
| 19 | Ora S. Spillman | 1923-1929 | |||
| 20 | C. A. Sorensen | 1929-1933 | |||
| 21 | Paul F. Good | 1933-1935 | |||
| 22 | William H. Wright | 1935-1937 | |||
| 23 | Richard C. Hunter | 1937-1939 | |||
| 24 | Walter R. Johnson | 1939-1949 | |||
| 25 | James H. Anderson | 1949-1950 | |||
| 26 | Harold P. Caldwell | 1950-1951 | |||
| 27 | Clarence S. Beck | 1951-1961 | |||
| 28 | Clarence A.H. Meyer | 1961-1975 | |||
| 29 | Paul L. Douglas | 1975-1984 | |||
| 30 | Robert M. Spire | 1985-1991 | |||
| 31 | Don Stenberg | 1991-2003 | |||
| 32 | Jon Bruning | 2003-2015 | |||
| 33 | Doug Peterson | 2015-2023 | |||
| 34 | Mike Hilgers | 2023-present | |||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Nebraska Attorney General. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Office of the Attorney General
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone:402-471-2682
Fax:402-471-3297
See also
| Nebraska | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Nebraska Attorney General, "About" accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Nebraska Attorney General, "About" accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Nebraska Campaign Finance Law (Referenced Statute 49-14,124.02 Nebraska Law)"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Enforcement Procedure," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska.gov, "Agency Operations / State Aid / Construction Summary by Fund Type," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 30, 2014
- ↑ 2012-13 Nebraska Bluebook, "State Executive Branch," accessed July 31, 2013
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