New Alaska Governor Bill Walker (I), who was sworn in Monday, has appointed his former law partner Craig Richards to be the next Alaska AG. In Hawaii, David Louie's term as AG ended when new Governor David Ige (D) took office Monday, although Governor Ige has yet to appoint a replacement. Alaska and Hawaii are two of five states in which the governor appoints the AG (along with New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wyoming).
Craig Richards, a Republican, has been a partner with Governor Walker in the Anchorage law firm Walker & Richards LLC, which Governor Walker founded in 1995. A prominent oil and gas attorney, Richards's law practice has centered on natural gas project development, finance, taxation, and oil and gas leasing. He holds a J.D. from Washington and Lee University, an M.B.A. from Duke University, and a finance degree from the University of Virginia. Richards is originally from Fairbanks, Alaska. He is expected to be confirmed by the legislature and will replace AG Michael Geraghty (R), an appointee of former Governor Sean Parnell (R), who Governor Walker narrowly defeated in November.
Hawaii Governor Ige is still considering candidates to appoint. In the meantime, Deputy AG Russell Suzuki will run the Hawaii AG office until a successor is named.
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