By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL

Republican Attorney General Candidate, Luther Strange, took issue with remarks from his opponent in the GOP primary, incumbent AG, Troy King.  Here’s Strange’s comments from his campaign office:

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From Luther Strange:

“I am deeply disturbed by what I believe are disparaging remarks from Attorney General Troy King about our state’s law enforcement officials. Mr. King accuses law enforcement professionals of, “midnight raids, with gun-toting armies” for their work on  the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling. He says their work is, “a dangerous path to put us on,” in a Mobile Register interview.

Is this the kind of behavior we should expect from the person responsible for enforcing the laws of our state? I would never criticize law enforcement  officials for doing the very difficult job they have of enforcing the laws of our state. It’s their sworn duty, not just their civic duty, and they deserve our constant thanks. The members of the Task Force on Illegal Gambling are doing their jobs, regardless of their personal opinions.

Shouldn’t we expect the same from the attorney general? What’s doubly troubling is the fact that Mr. King has refused to enforce the law, leaving the job to a special task force the governor had to create because King is either unwilling or unable to carry out his responsibilities due to a compromising relationship with gambling interests.

This is the first time in memory an Alabama governor has had to create a task force to enforce the law — a job we pay the attorney general to do. We should all be disappointed in Mr. King’s vocal disrespect for Alabama’s law enforcement professionals. I admire the blind justice provided by police officers, troopers, sheriff’s deputies and court officers who put themselves on the front lines of public safety and law enforcement. Anything less than respect for these men and women is unacceptable.”

Filed under: Elections