Peterson pledges not to use AG office for political gain

A bit of disillusionment drives Doug Peterson’s campaign for the attorney general’s office.

“I was a little frustrated over the years seeing the office utilized for personal political gain,” he explained. “When you serve the state of Nebraska, you have to be focused on what’s in the best interest of the state. There’s potential to be distracted if you factor in personal political ambition.”

Early on in his campaign, Peterson issued a public pledge not to seek another office during his term as attorney general, should he win. He also shies away from promises to spend time fighting the Affordable Care Act, despite his stated opposition to the law.

On a recent visit to Sidney, he instead focused on topics of great interest to county attorneys and law enforcement officials along the I-80 corridor—Colorado’s decision to legalize marijuana.

“This is a really important issue—it needs to be led by the attorney general because it is a statewide issue,” Peterson said. “No county attorney should be expected to fight this fight.”

Colorado anticipates at least $50 million each year in tax revenue to the state, perhaps more. But law enforcement officials in Nebraska are already complaining of an increase in marijuana crossing the border. To combat this flow costs money and time.

“They’ve turned it into a commodity,” Peterson said of Colorado’s legalization of the drug. “They derive benefit, yet the cost is borne by neighboring states.”

He proposes discussions with Colorado’s attorney general with a goal of expanding that state’s enforcement efforts, once Nebraska can quantify the amount law enforcement directs toward marijuana crossing the line. He doesn’t rule out leading Nebraska and other states to ensure that Colorado shares some of the expense they cause its neighbors.

To bolster his campaign, Peterson points to his 28 years of experience with cases in federal and district courts. He spent two years in the county attorney’s office at North Platte and three years in the attorney general’s office before entering private practice.

“You have to be able to work with federal authorities and local agencies,” he said.

Peterson believes the attorney general should listen to the concerns of county officials and provide the necessary support. When speaking with county attorney’s across the state, he learned the local offices are satisfied with the help they receive from the state. If elected, he said, he will continue that level of support.

“That’s my primary focus,” Peterson stated.