Riley-Collins is the executive director of Mississippi’s American Civil Liberties Union. She is also a decorated 20-year veteran and has announced that she will run as Democrat for attorney General. In response to questions from Mississippi Today, she stated that as attorney general, “I will serve and defend the legal interests of Mississippians.” “l will work for vulnerable populations, fight the opioid epidemic, strengthen victims of crime protections, and fight for workers,” Riley-Collins said in response to questions from Mississippi Today. She is running to replace Jim Hood, a four-term Democratic Attorney General. In the past, they had thwarted Republican attempts to take the AG’s seat. Representative Mark Baker from Brandon and Treasurer Lynn Fitch, both of Madison, are running for the position. Hood has often defended the state as attorney general in lawsuits against Riley-Collins’ ACLU. Many of these lawsuits were about laws passed by the Legislature that opposed gay marriage and restricted abortion rights rights. Riley-Collins stated that the Rules of Ethics are one of the most important things a lawyer should learn. When Riley-Collins was asked about the defense of the state, Riley-Collins replied that the Rules of Ethics is “One of the most fundamental pillars of law practice” and that it is our responsibility to represent your client competently. The state of Mississippi will become my client when I am elected. “I will uphold the rule and present the state’s legal interests competently and zealously.” Riley-Collins is expected to be the underdog in this race, even though he has been a Democrat since the 19th Century. Fitch and Baker will likely attract more campaign donations than Riley-Collins. She said, “I’m not afraid to take on a challenge.” This is because the attorney general’s position has been one the most prominent public offices. Hood and Mike Moore (his predecessor) were both very active in filing lawsuits for the state. Many of these lawsuits gained national attention, including against Google and the tobacco companies. Before that, Ed Pittman was an attorney general for one term before running for governor and losing. Later, he served as a member of the state Supreme Court. Bill Allain was Pittman’s predecessor. He won a landmark case in 1980 to stop legislators serving on the boards of executive agencies. The Supreme Court ruled it was against the state Constitution’s separation of powers clause for legislators to be on executive boards.