STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUPPORT MCCAIN
AL, IN, MI, ND, SC, UT and WA Law Enforcers Back Arizona Senator
ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign today announced that Attorneys General Troy King of Alabama, Steve Carter of Indiana, Mike Cox of Michigan, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Henry McMaster of South Carolina, Mark Shurtleff of Utah, and Rob McKenna of Washington State will support the Arizona Senator’s presidential bid.
Alabama Attorney General Troy King has served the people of Alabama since 1995. King was an adviser to Governors James and Riley and was an assistant attorney general for four years. He has served as Alabama’s Attorney General since March 2004 and was elected to a four year term in 2006.
“Alabama is a state where actions definitely speak louder than words,” said King. “More than just talk, John McCain’s strong record of support for state rights, and his devotion to the conservative principles of protecting life and the institution of marriage make him the right leader for Alabama.”
Steve Carter was elected in 2004 to his second consecutive term as Indiana’s Attorney General. Carter had previously served as chief city attorney to the City of Indianapolis, legislative counsel to the Indiana state Senate, and as chief-of-staff to the lieutenant governor.
“John McCain is the type of political leader who clearly represents Indiana values,” said Carter. “His story is one of absolute principled service and I am honored to serve in his organization.”
Mike Cox was sworn in for a second term as Michigan’s Attorney General on January 1, 2007. After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989, Mike went on to work in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Detroit. In 2000, Cox was appointed director of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Homicide Unit, which prosecutes the majority of homicides in Michigan. Cox was first elected attorney general in 2002.
“I’ve spent my career trying to make Michigan’s communities safer and I strongly support John McCain’s life-long leadership in making our country more secure,” said Cox. “John has been an exemplary American and his ideas for the future are solutions, not side-steps.”
Wayne Stenehjem was sworn in as the North Dakota’s 29th attorney general in 2001. He was reelected in 2004 and again in 2006. In 1976, Stenehjam was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives and served for two terms until his election to the state Senate in 1980. He served in the state Senate until becoming attorney general.
“John McCain is a Western conservative that understands the issues farmers, ranchers, and resource dependent states have to face,” said Stenehjam. “I’m glad to be in a position to help and I’m honored to support Senator McCain’s vision for our country’s future.”
Henry McMaster of Columbia, South Carolina was first elected attorney general in 2002 and re-elected with no opposition in 2006. McMaster was the first United States Attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan and is a former top adviser to the late Senator Strom Thurmond. McMaster has twice been a statewide nominee for the South Carolina Republican Party and served as the state’s party chairman from 1993-2002.
“This is a definitive election that requires a strong conservative with a proven record of support on the issues that matter,” said McMaster. “John McCain is the tested leader in this race.”
Mark Shurtleff was elected to his second term as Utah’s Attorney General in 2004. Previously, Shurtleff served as a Salt Lake County Commissioner and prosecuted cases as an officer and attorney in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.
“Senator McCain is a man that stands on principal and conviction. What you see in John is exactly what you get,” said Shurtleff. “I’m honored to support Senator McCain for president.”
Rob McKenna was elected to serve as Washington's Attorney General in 2004. Previously, McKenna had been elected to three terms on the King County Council and was a lawyer with the law firm Perkins Coie.
“Senator McCain continues to garner support among legal and law enforcement leaders because of his stances on state rights and his role in brokering the confirmations of Justices Roberts and Alito,” said McKenna. “I’m honored to give John my support and I appreciate his leadership on the issues that count.”
Senator McCain expressed his gratitude for the support of these state attorneys general. “These men not only have a great deal of experience keeping our communities safe, but they have earned a tremendous amount of respect from voters in their respective states,” Senator McCain said. “I’m grateful for their support and pledge my unwavering commitment to the common sense principles we all share.”
