Gansler
McKenna
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler is the new head of a group of state attorneys general.
Gansler, who was elected Maryland's top lawyer in 2006 and reelected in 2010, was chosen during the National Association of Attorneys General's summer meeting, held this week in Anchorage, Alaska.
According to the group, his year-long presidential initiative will focus on "Privacy in the Digital Age."
"As the chief legal officers of our states, attorneys general are engaged in every aspect of state governance. We are uniquely positioned to make a real difference in the lives of the citizens in our states, and we do so every day," Gansler said in a statement Friday.
"It is an honor to serve as NAAG President. I look forward to working with my colleagues on some of our states' and our nation's most pressing issues."
Gansler, who is among those prospective Democratic candidates for governor in 2014, is taking over for outgoing president Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna. McKenna, a Republican, is running for governor in November.
McKenna said Thursday night he knows Gansler will "build on NAAG's successes by addressing the key issues of our time."
In addition, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen was elected president-elect, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was elected vice president and McKenna became immediate past president for the 2012-13 term.
NAAG, founded in 1907, elects its officers yearly through geographical rotation by region. Election of the four officers always takes place at its annual summer meeting.
The president then appoints all standing and special committee chairs.
Committees are charged with studying all substantive matters within their jurisdiction and recommending policy positions and other matters to the attorneys general for action by the full group.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.