MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Jay Mitchell made official Monday his bid for attorney general after stepping down from his role last month on the state’s highest court.
After having served six years on the state’s top bench, the Mobile native is pledging to run on an agenda focused on reducing crime, enforcing immigration law, supporting law enforcement and pro-life policies, and fighting what he calls the “woke agenda.”
“With President (Donald) Trump in the White House, we have a unique opportunity to get conservative wins here in Alabama,” Mitchell said Monday in a statement. “I’m running for Attorney General to stop the lawlessness, restore order, and dismantle Joe Biden’s radical left wing policies.”
On his policy agenda, Mitchell pledged to ensure those convicted of violent crimes “face real consequences,” and that he would ensure to “lock up violent offenders and make sure they stay locked up.” He pledged to “aggressively pursue mass deportations” of undocumented immigrants, to “protect the unborn,” and to fight against the “woke agenda.”
“No boys in girls’ sports,” he said. “No (diversity, equity and inclusion). No more woke nonsense.”
Alabama law prohibits individuals serving in the judicial branch from running for public office, and Alabama Daily News reported last month that Mitchell’s resignation was tied to his interest in seeking the state’s chief law enforcement officer position, though he did not explicitly confirm his intent at the time. Now official, Mitchell already has nearly $642,000 in campaign cash, money that he can use towards his bid for attorney general.
Current Attorney General Steve Marshall, who last week announced his bid for U.S. Senate, is term-limited, and cannot seek re-election, leading to what is expected to be a crowded field for the Republican nomination. Katherine Robertson, Marshall’s chief counsel, is openly planning a run for attorney general, as is Lloyd Peeples, assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and Pamela Casey, district attorney for Blount County.
“This isn’t just my race – it’s our fight for Alabama’s future,” Mitchell said. “I’ll take on the radical left, advance the Trump agenda, and never stop fighting for our state.”
Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1998, his master’s degree from the University College Dublin in 1999, and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2002.
Watch his campaign launch ad below: