FAIRHOPE — The Eastern Shore Republican Woman (ESRW) held an attorney general candidate forum on Thursday, hosting Pamela Casey and Katherine Robertson.
1819 News editor-in-chief Jeff Poor moderated the forum.
The two candidates answered questions about qualifications, leadership goals and how they would approach the responsibility of becoming Alabama's first female attorney general.
"I would approach it just like a man would," Casey said. "It wouldn't be any different than a man. I think many times – and I don't want to offend any men in here – we have to work twice as hard to prove we're half as good, and I don't mean to offend y'all by that. You know, when I ran for office, they told me in Blount County, 'They'll never elect a female.' Then they told me, 'They'll never elect a young female.' Then they told me. 'They'll never elect a single young female.' And I told them, 'I ain't getting married to win this election, OK?' But you know what? I want to stand up for young girls. I love working in my community and across the state."
"I'm not running to be Alabama's first female attorney general," Robertson said. "I want people to vote for me because I'm the most conservative person in the race, because I've had the most experience and because I'll do the best job. Now, if it happens that you break a glass ceiling in the meantime, that's super. I feel that I have more testosterone than most of the people I work with. Ask your legislators how they feel when they see me coming. That's my reputation, but I can wear pink, too, and I'm a girl mom, too."
Robertson, the chief counsel to Attorney General Steve Marshall, said she knows the ins and outs of the AG's office. As the longest-serving chief counsel, Robertson noted that her experience spans criminal, consumer protection and constitutional defense cases.
"So, in my role as chief counsel, I have been his [Marshall's] advisor, I have been sort of the strategist that figures out how to implement his agenda, how to get us from point A to point B, and it's been a relationship-building process, too," Robertson said. "We have close-knit relationships with our law enforcement community, with our legislature, who we engage regularly and with the other Republican attorneys general around our country."
Robertson began her career 20 years ago at the United States Department of Justice. She said criminal justice policy has been a focal point throughout her career.
Casey, the Blount County District Attorney, was first elected in 2010 at the age of 28. She said that as a career prosecutor, she also has experience in the AG's office.
"I started my career at the Alabama Attorney General's Office as a violent crimes and capital litigation prosecutor, handling the most difficult cases we have involving child sex cases and murders, but also our death penalty cases across the state," Casey said. "So, what I bring to this office is I'm the only candidate running that's ever stepped into a courtroom, put a killer, a child predator and a violent offender in prison to make sure that we're safe at night."
Casey said she has what it takes to be the state's top law enforcement official and has taken cases before both state and federal courts.
The ESRW also took audience questions. When asked what specific actions they would take to strengthen prevention, prosecution and victim support in human trafficking or crimes against vulnerable people, both Robertson and Casey pointed to their experience.
"There's some amazing groups around the state of Alabama that are serving victims of human trafficking, especially minors, and we try to support them and help them," Robertson answered. "They have run-ins with DHR, they have run-ins with law enforcement, and so, we try to be the hub where all those resources come together and have some kind of a coherent agenda. So, it's extremely important, and it's something that Attorney General Marshall has been recognized for nationwide and would continue to be a priority under my leadership."
Casey told a story about a case she prosecuted involving children and discussed her experience training other officers.
"So, we talk about human trafficking. I don't learn it from conferences. I don't learn it from behind a desk. I learn it from being there and doing it," said Casey. "I've trained officers in Canada, across the United States and in Florida, and so, if you have that experience, you know what it takes to train people and to make sure that human trafficking is a top priority. And let me tell you, I've done it, and I'll continue to make sure that our children are safe across the entire state."
Casey said her life's drive began young. She said she grew up poor and lost her father at a young age. However, she learned early how far hard work can take her. She said she wants to take that work ethic to the AG's office.
"That office doesn't belong to Steve Marshall. It doesn't belong to Luther Strange or Troy King. It belongs to you," Casey said in closing. "And if you elect me to be your attorney general, then you're going to have my number. You're going to be able to pick up the phone and call me when you have a problem. And, you know, it is about the people. It's not about special interests and people trying to buy this office. That's what's going on right now. People are trying to buy this office, and you have to say, 'We're not going to put up with it."
Robertson said she has been called the "North Star" of the office and pointed out that she is backed by the 28 other Republican AG's across the nation, ALFA, the Alabama Forestry Association, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, the Petroleum and Convenience Marketers Association and 20 Alabama sheriffs.
"I think that speaks to the type of leadership that we've been able to bring," Robertson said. "When I lead, people follow. That has been proven over the course of my time at the AG's office."
Republican candidate Jay Mitchell was unable to attend the forum.
The primary election is on May 19.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
