The office of Minnesota attorney general is often seen as an independent arbiter-the state's top lawyer, working at the behest of its people's interests and their interests alone, above the rigermarole of partisan politics.
That's how Republican candidate Doug Wardlow sees it and it's an interpretation of the role that stands in stark contrast to DFL nominee Rep. Keith Ellison's politicized, activist conception of the office.
Wardlow spoke on his campaign during a phone interview with the Dispatch Tuesday, Oct. 16.
"We need an attorney general who will put the needs of Minnesota first and fight for the rights of all Minnesotans," Wardlow said. "I want to take the politics out of office and I want to focus on keeping Minnesota fair and safe."
Ellison's stated intention to use the office in an adversarial role to the Trump administration detracts from its purpose and neglects the needs of everyday Minnesotans, Wardlow said.
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"(Ellison) has said he wants to use the office to wage a political war with the president, which I think is inappropriate," Wardlow said. "He said he wants to join with other Democratic attorney generals across the country to bring lawsuit after lawsuit against the president."
In a previous interview with the Dispatch, Ellison stated, if elected, he would work to oppose the Trump administration and band with other attorneys general across the country in this endeavor.
In addition to Ellison's politicized stances, Wardlow criticized the congressman's positions on open borders, stringent environmentalism, protections for sanctuary cities and stifling regulations to businesses in the state.
Originally of Eagan, Wardlow, 40, is the son of two school teachers. He graduated from Eagan High School in 1997, whereupon he studied at Georgetown University in Maryland for his undergrad and law degrees, acquiring these certifications in 2001 and 2004, respectively.
His career immediately took him back home to Minnesota-first as a clerk for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice G. Barry Anderson, then working private practice at a number of law firms in the Twin Cities.
During this time, he primarily litigated property and business cases, though he also worked in international trade law under Robert Lighthizer in Washington D.C., the current United States trade representative. In addition to that, Wardlow also worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom-a nonprofit that advocates free speech and religious freedoms-as well as a stint in the Minnesota House of Representatives' District 38B between 2011-2013.
He currently lives in Prior Lake, is married, and is the father of three children.
In terms of the woman he hopes to replace, Wardlow's assessment of Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is mixed-on one hand lauding the incumbent for her committed and effective representation of consumer protections, on the other lambasting Swanson for, as he termed, eviscerating the criminal law division and failing to prosecute welfare fraud during her tenure.
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Wardlow noted he's in favor of taking a hands-on leadership role, working closely with local law enforcement and county attorneys on issues ranging from human trafficking, the opioid epidemic, protections for the elderly and consumer protections-complicated problems, he noted, that require comprehensive plans.
"There's a number of issues in this state that requires leadership from the AG office that's been sorely lacking," Wardlow said. "I think it's been sorely lacking because the attorney general's office has been politicized by the current occupant. Unfortunately."
While Wardlow consistently billed himself as nonpartisan in this interview and with other publications, statements at a private fundraiser Oct. 8 for Minnesota 2nd Congressional District Rep. Jason Lewis stand in contrast to this.
"It's really exciting now to be in a position for the first time in a half century to take this office back," Wardlow said in a recording obtained by Minnesota Public Radio. "We're going to fire 42 Democratic attorneys right off the bat and get Republican attorneys in there."
Wardlow's campaign has doubled down on these assertions in interviews with MPR, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and other publications, characterizing the statements as congruent with Wardlow's promises to enlist attorneys that believe in the rule of law and the constitution, not a party affiliation litmus test.
