Why Are You Running: Greg Zoeller - Attorney General
Today’s “Why Are You Running” submission comes from Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller who is running for re-election.
After serving these past four years as Indiana’s Attorney General I appreciate more than anyone the value of my prior service in the office. Just as most elected prosecutors have previously served as a deputy prosecutor, my previous work as a deputy attorney general is the single most valuable experience I brought to the office. Working side-by-side with the women and men who serve in the office representing our state makes me appreciate the role they each serve and hopefully provides each of them some confidence that I know what I’m doing.
Make no mistake; the work of the attorneys who represent Indiana in all state and federal courts is hard. The cases are complex and involve unique subject matter and defenses involving the sovereign. But it is also some of the most interesting and rewarding work of any lawyer.
When I hire attorneys to serve as deputy attorneys general I look for two essential traits, first a commitment to service and then a passion for this service. The privilege of introducing yourself to the court as “representing the State of Indiana” is an honor reserved for only a few. This is what makes the position of serving as Indiana’s Attorney General so rewarding, leading those who serve our state so well.
Over the years I have served in the Office of the Attorney General I’ve seen much remarkable legal work and some historic cases. Some are cases defending consumers involving everything from telephone privacy to mortgage foreclosure scams. We’ve battled puppy mills and pill mills, those who commit fraud against the Medicaid program and scams targeting the elderly, immigrants, families of those in the military and those in financial trouble. We defend our state every time someone convicted of a crime appeals, over 1600 times last year alone. And we defend our State against legal challenges to our laws and sometimes in challenging federal laws that impact our state.
These past years serving in the office have been an honor, but I still have the passion for the service that I look for in deputies. And there is much more to be done. I’ve already offered to have the office serve in a larger role protecting children by(1) providing additional legal services for the Department of Child Services, (2) supporting the state’s sex offender registry, (3) providing resources for Internet Crimes Against Children task force, (4) helping fight human trafficking of children and (5) helping develop a stronger system of School Resource Officers that protect children in schools and help develop better relations between youth and law enforcement.
And I hope to lead efforts to fight the growing problems of drugs with our clients in state government. There are many problems that remain and I’m ready for the challenge.
If you are a candidate for office, submit your “Why Are You Running” to abdul@indypolitics.org.
