Responses To Supreme Court's Selection Of Herbert Slatery As Attorney General

  • Monday, September 15, 2014

Lt. Governor Ramsey issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's selection of Tennessee's first Republican attorney general:

“As the first Republican attorney general in Tennessee history, Herbert Slatery will be a strong advocate for the people of Tennessee and a vigilant defender of Tennessee’s conservative reforms. Herbert has served our governor well as chief counsel and I have no doubt that his strong work will continue as he gains over 6 million new clients across the state of Tennessee. I look forward to working with him to defend our conservative reforms and the legal interests of all Tennesseans.”

House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh said, "First, I want to congratulate Herb Slatery on being selected as attorney general. I have worked with Herb for many years and wish him success in this new endeavor.

"Today, however, I am disappointed that our Supreme Court has capitulated to Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and the very special interest groups that tried to replace our Justices just one short month ago.

"As every candidate for attorney general noted during the public interview process, Bob Cooper has served our state with distinction. He kept us out of costly, politically motivated national lawsuits. He brought millions into state coffers by cracking down on Medicaid fraud and consumer protection issues. His service has been independent and above reproach, yet he was replaced today because of his private political affiliation.

"I have great faith in the people of Tennessee. By retaining Justices Clark, Lee and Wade Tennesseans have shown that their votes are not for sale. The people of Tennessee have proven they are capable of seeing through rhetoric and, when given the opportunity to vote, can be trusted to preserve the independence of the courts. Unfortunately, our Supreme Court Justices today failed that same test.

"As a result, I believe it is time to explore our options for giving Tennesseans more power in selecting their attorney general. In the August elections, Tennesseans voted for an impartial Judiciary, but were rebuked today by the politically motivated replacement of General Cooper.
While the people have shown they can be trusted to preserve the integrity of the courts, the Supreme Court Justices have shown they are too susceptible to political pressure. This issue must be addressed and I intend to work with Republicans and Democrats to make sure we solve this problem in our next legislative session."

Republican Attorneys General Association Chairman, and Attorney General of South Carolina, Alan Wilson praised the selection of Mr. Slater, saying, “We are very pleased by the appointment of Mr. Slatery. His previous experience in private practice coupled with his current role as legal counsel to Governor Haslam will make the transition to Tennessee attorney general seamless."
 
The appointment of Herbert Slatery brings the total number of Republican AGs across the country to 25. 

Americans for Prosperity - Tennessee commended the decision and released the following statement:

"Three of the Supreme Court Justices recently won their retention election campaigns. Unlike most past retention elections they actually had to campaign for their seats. Due to the efforts of Americans for Prosperity and Lt Governor Ron Ramsey, the Justices were besieged partially based upon decisions made by our previous attorney general. A record number of Tennesseans showed up to the polls to hold them accountable.

"Twenty-eight other states joined the lawsuit to stop ObamaCare. Tennessee sat idly on the sidelines instead of leading the fight; the attorney general made the decision. Tennessee previously expanded the Medicaid system. Skyrocketing costs that would have ultimately bankrupted the state led to harsh TennCare cuts."

"We sought to shine a light on the entire process. With record turn-out and our Supreme Court selecting a new attorney general we certainly exceeded our goal," said Andrew Ogles, AFP-TN State director. "Our justices are to be commended for putting partisan politics aside and selecting someone who will best represent the interests of Tennesseans. We held their feet to the fire and they heard us."

Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Roy Herron released the following statement:

“Tennessee has had outstanding attorneys general and we hope that the new one is no exception.  He comes to office with a number of unique facts that cause concerns to many, regardless of party affiliation:

“1.  Tennessee has never had an attorney general with so little experience trying cases. Though his application asked for numbers of cases tried or mediated or handed on appeal, he has so little litigation experience he refused to answer the questions asked. To head the largest collection of trial attorneys in the state is a challenge for anyone with great experience, but for someone with so little experience in litigation that he would not answer the questions about numbers of cases raises legitimate concerns.

“2.  Tennessee has never had an attorney general who was not only the governor's legal counsel, but also his "childhood friend," reportedly a cousin, personal legal counsel, campaign counsel and campaign official.  He will face extraordinary scrutiny because of the extraordinary relationships and people will reasonably wonder whether he can be objective and unbiased.

“3.  Tennessee has never had an attorney general who bragged in his application about crafting and lobbying legislation to take the rights away from victims, including those injured by the negligence of others and those workers injured on their jobs.  Workers and victims already know that he has worked hard against them and will reasonably question whether he can be fair to them.

“Tennesseans of both parties reasonably wonder why an outstanding attorney general was denied an opportunity to continue to serve.  It appears to many that General Cooper's party affiliation was used against him.  That is yet another reason why the new attorney general has a particular responsibility to show himself beyond reproach, non-partisan, and worthy of the high office he will assume.”



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