Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen will lead the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) into what the group calls the most consequential election year in its history. Knudsen was unanimously elected chairman by his GOP attorney general colleagues on Tuesday, putting the second-term Montana Republican at the helm as the organization prepares for 30 attorney general races in 2026.
Knudsen, who has long served on RAGA’s executive committee and spent several years as the organization’s policy chairman, will oversee strategy, fundraising, and political coordination in the largest AG election cycle ever.
In a statement, Knudsen said the stakes in 2026 could not be higher.
“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,” Knudsen said. “Next year, we’re facing 30 AG races, which means we must build on record fundraising to defend incumbents and grow our majority. As Republican Attorneys General, we are both Freedom’s Frontline and America’s Last Line of Defense.”
Knudsen also emphasized the group’s alignment with the Trump administration and vowed to continue its efforts to “preserve, promote, and protect America’s future” while combating what he described as “liberalism and lawlessness.”
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers was elected vice chairman. Like Knudsen, Hilgers previously served as Speaker of his state’s legislature and sits on RAGA’s executive committee.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Chairman Knudsen,” Hilgers said, calling 2026 “the most critical election year we have seen in America in decades.”
Outgoing chairman Kris Kobach of Kansas praised Knudsen and Hilgers, noting that RAGA surpassed $30 million in fundraising for the first time during his tenure. RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper said Knudsen’s leadership positions the organization for “record success” in 2026.