Juneau -- Recognizing the importance of taking politics out of the State's top legal position, Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage) today introduced legislation that would allow Alaskans, through an advisory vote, to tell state leaders whether or not the Attorney General (AG) should be a political appointment.

Senator Ward noted that he introduced Senate Bill 69 to put the question to the voters -- Should the Attorney General be directly accountable to the people or, by direct appointment, be directly accountable only to the Governor? In most other states people elect the Attorney General as opposed to allowing the Governor to appoint that position.

"Political decisions made by the Attorney General must stop," said Sen. Ward. "The people of the State of Alaska need to have an AG loyal to the Constitution and the people of Alaska, not a personal lawyer for the Governor," Ward said.

"We need an AG who will work for the Alaska people," said Sen. Ward. "Someone who will owe his allegiance and loyalty to the Constitution and to the people, not someone who amends interpretations of law because political winds have shifted," said Sen. Ward.

"Alaskans deserve an Attorney General who takes Alaskans' rights to heart, someone dedicated to advancing the State's rights with vigor and full commitment. I believe that if the Attorney General must face the voters in an election, the AG will be more committed to those goals," said Sen.Ward.

"Let the Alaskans vote for Attorney General. The people's decisions are always good for Alaska," said Sen. Ward.