Attorney General of Delaware
| Delaware Attorney General | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $155,949 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $99,654,500 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Delaware Code, 29-25-2502 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Attorney General of Delaware Kathy Jennings | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| Other Delaware Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Auditor•Secretary of Education•Agriculture Secretary•Insurance Commissioner•Natural Resources Secretary•Labor Secretary•Public Service Commission | |
The Attorney General of Delaware is a constitutional officer of the state ofDelaware, and is the chief law officer and the head of the state department of justice.
Theattorney general is elected to a four-year term in the "off-year" state election, two years before or after the election of thegovernor. The office existed in various forms prior to the ratification of theDelaware Constitution of 1776, which continued the colonial tradition by which thegovernor appointed the attorney general for a five-year tenure. With the ratification of the state constitution of 1897, the attorney general became an elected office held forfour-year terms. It also established the attorney general as third in line of succession to the office ofgovernor, after thelieutenant governor andsecretary of state.[1]
Delaware has a Democratictriplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Attorney General of Delaware isKathy Jennings (D). Jennings assumed office in 2019.
Authority
The office of attorney general is mentioned in thestate constitution, but its powers are formally enumerated in statute.[2]
Delaware Code, 29-25-2502
| There is created a State Department of Justice under the supervision, direction and control of the Attorney General. |
Qualifications
There are no required qualifications for the office of attorney general.
Elections
PerArticle III, Section 21 of theDelaware Constitution, attorneys general are elected every four years in federal midterm election years (e.g. 2014, 2018, 2022, etc.). Traditionally, they are sworn in on the first Tuesday in January in the year after they are elected.
Term limits
Attorneys general do not face any term limits.
Election results
See also: Delaware Attorney General election, 2030
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
See also: Delaware Attorney General election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on September 15, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Delaware
IncumbentKathy Jennings (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Delaware on September 15, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Kathy Jennings | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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See also: Delaware Attorney General election, 2022
General election
General election for Attorney General of Delaware
IncumbentKathy Jennings (D) defeatedJulianne Murray (R) in the general election for Attorney General of Delaware on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Jennings (D) | 53.8 | 171,837 |
 | Julianne Murray (R) | 46.2 | 147,369 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 319,206 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary scheduled for September 13, 2022, was canceled. IncumbentKathy Jennings (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Delaware without appearing on the ballot.
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for September 13, 2022, was canceled.Julianne Murray (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Delaware without appearing on the ballot.
General election
General election for Attorney General of Delaware
Kathy Jennings (D) defeatedBernard Pepukayi (R) in the general election for Attorney General of Delaware on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Jennings (D) | 61.3 | 218,351 |
| Bernard Pepukayi (R) | 38.7 | 137,730 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 356,0810 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Delaware
Kathy Jennings (D) defeatedLaKresha Roberts (D),Chris Johnson (D), andTim Mullaney (D) in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Delaware on September 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kathy Jennings | 56.6 | 46,038 |
| LaKresha Roberts | 21.6 | 17,584 | ||
| Chris Johnson | 15.0 | 12,195 | ||
| Tim Mullaney | 6.8 | 5,513 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 81,330 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for Attorney General of Delaware
Bernard Pepukayi (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Delaware on September 6, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Bernard Pepukayi | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the office of attorney general, thegovernor appoints a replacement who serves until a new officeholder can be elected. (Delaware Constitution,Article III, Section 9)
Duties
The attorney general heads the Delaware Department of Justice, which is empowered to, "investigate matters involving the public peace, safety and justice." The department is charged with managing the activities of state detectives as well as all criminal proceedings in the state.[4] The attorney general also serves as chief legal counsel for the Delaware state government and offers advisory opinions to state agencies on request.[5]
Divisions
As of January 7, 2021, the Delaware Attorney General's Office was comprised of the following divisions:
- Civil Law
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Fraud
- Administrative[6]
State budget
- See also:Delaware state budget and finances
The budget for the Department of Justice in the Fiscal Year 2025 was $99,654,500.[7]
Compensation
The salaries of Delaware's elected state executives are determined by state law as mandated by theDelaware Constitution.Article III of the state constitution requires that salary changes not take effect until after the current terms of affected offices.
TheDelaware State Legislature created the Delaware Compensation Commission in 1984 to determine state executive salaries. This commission consists of six members including two appointees by thegovernor, one appointee each by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of theDelaware State Senate, the current chair of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the director of the state Office of Management and Budget. Commissioners meet every four years to make salary recommendations, which are implemented unless theDelaware State Legislature rejects the entirety of the report. From 1985 to 2013, the commission's report has only been rejected once by legislators, who submitted their own salary increases for executives officials in 1993.[8]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $155,949, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $152,891, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2021
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $149,893, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2020
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $149,893, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2019
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $148,893, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2018
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $147,893, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2017
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $145,707, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2016
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $145,707, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2015
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $145,707, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
2014
In 2014, the attorney general received a salary of $145,207, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]
2013
In 2013, the attorney general was paid an estimated$145,207. This figure comes from theCouncil of State Governments.
2012
In 2012, the attorney general was paid an estimated$143,769. This figure comes from theCouncil of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the attorney general earned compensation in the amount of $137,425.[19] His salary is determined by law.
Campaign finance
The Delaware Attorney General is responsible for investigating all campaign finance complaints regardless if it involves civil or criminal laws. All complaints are referred to the attorney general from theDelaware Commissioner of Elections after the complaint is received by the commissioner.
The attorney general holds all prosecution and investigative powers towards campaign finance complaints.[20]
Historical officeholders
| List of Former Officeholders from 1978-Present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | |||
| 1 | Gunning Bedford, Jr. | 1778–1790 | |||
| 2 | Nicholas Ridgely | 1790–1801 | |||
| 3 | Nicholas Van Dyke | 1801–1806 | |||
| 4 | Outerbridge Horsey | 1806–1810 | |||
| 5 | Thomas Clayton | 1810–1815 | |||
| 6 | James Rogers | 1815–1830 | |||
| 7 | Robert Frame | 1830–1835 | |||
| 8 | James Rogers | 1835–1840 | |||
| 9 | Edward W. Gilpin | 1840–1850 | |||
| 10 | Willard Saulsbury, Sr. | 1850–1855 | |||
| 11 | George P. Fisher | 1855–1860 | |||
| 12 | Alfred Wooten | 1860–1864 | |||
| 13 | Jacob Moore | 1864–1869 | |||
| 14 | Charles B. Lore | 1869–1874 | |||
| 15 | John B. Penington | 1874–1879 | |||
| 16 | George Gray | 1879–1885 | |||
| 17 | John H. Paynter | 1885–1887 | |||
| 18 | John Biggs | 1887–1892 | |||
| 19 | John R. Nicholson | 1892–1895 | |||
| 20 | Robert C. White | 1895–1901 | |||
| 21 | Herbert H. Ward | 1901–1905 | |||
| 22 | Robert H. Richards | 1905–1909 | |||
| 23 | Andrew C. Gray | 1909–1913 | |||
| 24 | Josiah O. Wolcott | 1913–1917 | |||
| 25 | David J. Reinhardt | 1917–1921 | |||
| 26 | Sylvester D. Townsend, Jr. | 1921–1925 | |||
| 27 | Clarence A. Southerland | 1925–1929 | |||
| 28 | Reuben Satterthwaite, Jr. | 1929–1933 | |||
| 29 | Daniel J. Layton | 1933 | |||
| 30 | P. Warren Green | 1933–1939 | |||
| 31 | James R. Morford | 1939–1943 | |||
| 32 | Clair J. Killoran | 1943–1947 | |||
| 33 | Albert W. James | 1947–1951 | |||
| 34 | H. Albert Young | 1951–1955 | |||
| 35 | Joseph D. Craven | 1955–1959 | |||
| 36 | Januar D. Bove, Jr. | 1959–1963 | |||
| 37 | David P. Buckson | 1963–1971 | |||
| 38 | W. Laird Stabler, Jr. | 1971–1975 | |||
| 39 | Richard R. Wier, Jr. | 1975–1979 | |||
| 40 | Richard S. Gebelein | 1979–1983 | |||
| 41 | Charles M. Oberly, III | 1983–1995 | |||
| 42 | M. Jane Brady | 1995–2005 | |||
| 43 | Carl Danberg | 2005–2007 | |||
| 44 | Beau Biden | 2007–2015 | |||
| 45 | Matthew Denn | 2015–2019 | |||
| 46 | Kathy Jennings | 2019–present | |||
Contact information
102 W. Water Street
Dover, DE 19904
Criminal Division: 302-739-4211
Civil Division: 302-739-7641
Toll Free Phone: 302-739-1545
Fax: 302-739-7652
E-mail:Attorney.General@State.DE.US
See also
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Office of the Attorney General website
- Official Delaware state website
Footnotes
- ↑Delaware Attorney General, "Homepage," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Delaware Code, "29-25-2502," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Delaware Secretary of State, November 2, 2010 General Election Results,"" accessed May 10, 2011
- ↑Delaware Code, "29-25-2504," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Delaware Department of Justice, "About the Office," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Office of the Delaware Attorney General, "Divisions & Units," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Delaware General Assembly, "Senate Bill 325," accessed January 16, 2025
- ↑Delaware Code Online, "Title 29," January 7, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑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 7, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 7, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑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 November 14, 2014
- ↑'Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed August 9, 2011
- ↑Delaware Legislature, "Delaware Campaign Finance Law, Section Title 15, § 8043," accessed April 14, 2015
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