Even a person who follows the news closely might have a difficult time distinguishing between the major-party candidates for attorney general.
Both Democratic candidate Jim Hood and Republican candidate Scott Newton say prosecuting violent crime and drug traffickers will be one of their top priorities. Newton and Hood also agree with the “85 percent” law, which requires prisoners to serve 85 percent of their sentence before being considered for parole.
Then the topic turns to civil justice reform.
Hood said the attorney general’s office should not play a major role in civil justice reform.
“That’s a good question for people to consider when they are voting for governor, lieutenant governor or state representative,” Hood said.
Hood said that he supports the civil justice reform passed in a special session last year. He would “go to the mat” to defend it in court because the attorney general is supposed to defend all laws passed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor.
Newton disagrees with Hood’s idea of an attorney general’s responsibilities. “The attorney general can play a significant role in helping the state achieve civil justice reform,” Newton said.
Newton pointed to similar laws passed in other states where civil justice reform was overturned in state supreme courts. “Ultimately, the question is one of constitutionality,” Newton said. He said his office would help lawmakers draft “constitutionally sound” laws.
The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi also provides fodder for differences between the candidates.
Both candidates agreed that the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi has made inroads in curbing youth smoking in Mississippi. “We will continue prevention efforts that they have begun,” Hood said.
The attorney general’s office plays an enforcement role in the partnership, which was founded using $20 million from the 1997 tobacco settlement spearheaded by current Attorney General Mike Moore.
Newton said the partnership is doing “good work,” but needed to provide better accounting to the public. “Technically or not, it’s public money,” Newton said.
Hood said his candidacy should appeal to students because of his “progressive ideas for prevention.” He pointed out his work with victims of crime, for which he won the Justice Achievement Award this year.
Newton said his enthusiasm for the job should appeal to students. By giving up his job as a federal prosecutor to run, “I made a huge commitment,” Newton said. “What I’m trying to do is a continuation of the public service I’ve already done.”
Attorney general:
a brief overview
The attorney general is the chief law officer for the state. The attorney general’s office has the sole power to bring or defend a lawsuit on behalf of the state. The office may also offer legal advice to state agencies and bring or defend a lawsuit on their behalf.
Attorney General Mike Moore will retire after completing his fourth term. He was first elected attorney general in 1987. He garnered national attention in 1994 when he filed suit against 13 tobacco companies. The suit resulted in a $4.1 billion settlement finalized in 1997.
The attorney general is elected to a four-year term and is not subject to term limits. Candidates must be at least 26 years old, a practicing attorney for five years and Mississippi citizen for five years before Election Day.
Jim Hood (D)
*B.A. and J.D. from the University of Mississippi
*Resident of Houston
*Current district attorney for the 3rd Circuit Court district (includes Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union counties)
*Received 2003 Justice Achievement Award from the Crime Victim’s Compensation Program
*Assistant attorney general for 5 years, where he ran the Drug Unit.
Scott Newton (R)
*B.A. and J.D. from the University of Mississippi
*Resident of Madison
*Former federal prosecutor with U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jackson
*Twice awarded “Integrity Award” from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for prosecutorial excellence
*Six years as a special agent with the FBI