The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has appointed a new leadership team to guide the organisation through what it describes as the most significant election cycle in its history. The announcement, delivered from Washington, D.C., comes ahead of a year in which 30 state attorney general positions will be contested — the largest number the organisation has ever faced.
Election of Knudsen and Hilgers
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has been unanimously elected Chairman for 2026, while Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers will assume the role of Vice Chairman. Both officials have served on RAGA’s executive committee, bringing continuity and institutional expertise to their new posts.
Knudsen, a long-standing Policy Chairman within the association, and Hilgers, a fellow former committee member, each previously held the Speaker’s gavel in their respective state legislatures. Their combined political and professional experience is seen by RAGA as a key asset ahead of a demanding election cycle.
Reflections from Outgoing Leadership
Former RAGA Chairman Kris Kobach of Kansas, who led the association during what he described as a historic fundraising period, expressed support for the new leadership.
“I congratulate Austin and Mike on their election and am proud of everything we achieved during my Chairmanship, during which RAGA raised more than $30 Million for the first time ever,” Kobach stated.
Priorities for 2026 Under Chairman Knudsen
Knudsen emphasised both the scale of the upcoming election cycle and the need to maintain strong financial performance.
“I am honored to be selected by my colleagues to lead the Republican Attorneys General Association during the most critical year in our organization’s history,” he said. “Next year, we’re facing 30 AG races which means we must build upon 2025’s record fundraising to ensure we have the necessary resources to defend incumbents and take advantage of opportunities to grow our majority.”
He continued with a broader message about the role of Republican attorneys general:
“As Republican Attorneys General, we are both Freedom’s Frontline and America’s Last Line of Defense. To successfully answer that call, we’ll continue to work with the Trump Administration to preserve, promote, and protect America’s future while also keeping our communities safe from threats of liberalism and lawlessness.”
Hilgers Outlines 2026 Election Stakes
Hilgers echoed the urgency of the coming year for the organisation and the country.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Chairman Knudsen and serve as Vice-Chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association in 2026. This is the most critical election year we have seen in America in decades. It is imperative we defend our 11 incumbent open seats and ensure a new class of Republican Attorneys General is elected so that America’s greatest and safest days are yet to come,” he said.
Executive Director Highlights Strong Outlook
RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper expressed confidence in the new leadership team’s ability to deliver across fundraising, policy, and political strategy.
“RAGA is poised for record success in 2026 with Chairman Knudsen and Vice Chairman Hilgers from a fundraising, policy, and political perspective. Republican Attorneys General are more important today than ever before, and we look forward to ensuring RAGA is positioned to welcome a record-breaking freshman class in November of 2026,” he stated.
Full 2026 Executive Committee
RAGA confirmed the full list of executive committee members who will help shape its multi-state legal and political strategies:
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RAGA Chairman: Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Montana
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RAGA Vice-Chairman: Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Nebraska
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Attorney General Todd Rokita, Indiana
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Attorney General Brenna Bird, Iowa
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Attorney General Liz Murrill, Louisiana (Policy Chairman)
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Attorney General Lynn Fitch, Mississippi
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Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, West Virginia
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Attorney General Kris Kobach, Kansas (Immediate past RAGA Chair)
Looking Ahead
With its new leadership team in place, RAGA enters the 2026 cycle signalling strong confidence and ambitious expectations. The organisation intends to leverage its fundraising successes and political infrastructure to support incumbents and pursue new opportunities across the United States, positioning itself for what it hopes will be a record-breaking year.
