WASHINGTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey stepped down Thursday as chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association in order to focus on his job responsibilities and U.S. Senate campaign.
Morrisey began serving in February after then-Alabama Attorney General and Chairman Luther Strange resigned. Strange was appointed to fill in the vacancy left by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had been a senator for 20 years before becoming part of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“It’s been an honor to serve as the Chairman of RAGA during such an important time and help contribute to its success,” Morrisey said in a press release.
Morrisey announced in July he would run for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., and former coal miner Bo Copley have also launched campaigns.
Morrisey became state attorney general in January 2013.
Arkansas Attorney General and organization Vice Chairman Leslie Rutledge has taken over for Morrisey. A new vice-chairman will be appointed at a later date.
“I know that Leslie will do a good job for RAGA, a terrific organization that has helped grow the ranks of Republican Attorneys General,” Morrisey said. “Leslie has already accomplished a great deal as Attorney General since her election in 2014 and will continue to serve the citizens of Arkansas with distinction.”
The RAGA focuses on getting Republicans elected to the offices of attorney general. Republicans hold 29 of the 50 attorney general seats across the United States.