Montana News

Fox transitions as Montana Attorney General

Posted: Dec 6, 2012 10:24 AM by Marnee Banks - MTN News
Updated: Dec 6, 2012 10:33 AM

HELENA - Attorney General Steve Bullock will soon leave his post at the state's chief law enforcement officer, and Tim Fox will take the reins.

Fox will be the first Republican to hold the office of Montana Attorney General since 1993 and after beating Democrat Pam Bucy by 35,000 votes, Fox says he is ready to put the campaign behind him and get to work.

"I think that anytime you have a transition like this, there is a fresh opportunity to take a look at things a little differently and that doesn't necessarily mean that it's along party lines or politics. Just a different way of thinking, a different way of looking at things, and a different management style," Fox says.

So now he is looking at building his team. Montana law says the attorney general can appoint up to 15 people. Currently eight of those are division administrators.

"Some of those I know are going to stay, some are moving on with Governor Elect Bullock's team and some are taking this opportunity to retire," Fox said. "There are a lot of great candidates out there both within and outside of the Department."

Fox is also busy looking at the Department of Justice budget, and reviewing legislation that could impact the AG's office.

He says his priorities as attorney general will be making decisions that create jobs, and pushing back against the federal government when it overreaches.

"And of course, the business of protecting Montanans from criminals and educating Montanans on how to protect themselves from criminals is the kind of business that takes place at the Department of Justice day in and day out," Fox adds to his list of the priorities.

Fox says he is anxious to get started and thankful for the opportunity to serve Montana. If you are interested in joining his team you can go to the Department of Justice website and apply.