Two legislators vie to become Georgia’s next attorney general

Two lawyers are competing in the November election to become Georgia’s next attorney general — a post that would allow them to shape the state’s law enforcement priorities for at least the next four years.

As the state’s top legal officer, the attorney general oversees hundreds of attorneys and other employees who advise state agencies, represent the state in civil litigation and prosecute criminal cases dealing with such matters as human trafficking, gang activity, organized retail crime and white-collar crime.

Republican Attorney General Chris Carr chose to run for governor rather than seek reelection.

Here’s a look at the candidates running to replace him.

Democrat

Tanya Miller

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Miller has served in the state House of Representatives since January 2023, representing Atlanta-area District 62. She serves as minority caucus chair and on the House rules, ethics, code revision and audits committees.

She’s a former federal and Fulton County prosecutor whose private practice focuses on wrongful death, personal injury, complex criminal defense and civil rights litigation.

If elected, Miller says she’ll target violent criminal networks, human trafficking rings and people who traffic illegal guns and drugs like fentanyl. She also says she’ll support more resources for local police, prioritize prosecuting crimes against children and promote “evidence-based policies that reduce recidivism and make our communities safer in the long run.”

Miller won the May 19 Democratic primary with about 85% of the vote.

Republican

Brian Strickland

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Strickland served three terms in the Georgia House of Representatives before his election to Senate District 42 in 2018. He’s chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves on the appropriations, banking, ethics and other committees. Strickland practices law in McDonough.

If elected, Strickland says his priorities will include expanding gang and drug task forces to coordinate statewide crackdowns on violent crime, defending election integrity, supporting gun owners’ rights and fighting illegal immigration.

He also supports a “parents’ bill of rights” to “protect our children from radical agendas in the classroom.” And he vows to protect seniors and small businesses from financial scams and to fight other fraud.

Strickland won the May 19 Republican primary with roughly 72% of the vote.