Former US Attorney for North Dakota Drew Wrigley has taken the oath of office as the state’s Attorney General.
It was done in a private ceremony. North Dakota Chief Justice Jon Jensen administered the oath.
North Dakota’s longest serving Attorney General, Wayne Stenehjem, passed away at the end of January.
"What a privilege it is to be sworn-in as North Dakota's 30th Attorney General," Wrigley told reporters after he took the oath of office. "The circumstance, of course — I don't know if they could be worse. Certainly not the circumstances I had hoped."
Earlier, Wrigley announced he was running for the job. That, after Stenehjem said he would not be seeking another term.
Reporters asked Wrigley about his plans for the office.
"It's coming up so abruptly, I won't presume to stand here today and say these are the first four things I'm working on," Wrigley said. "It's really about engaging myself with the personnel, who are in place and working on important projects — some going on for years."
Wrigley said he will be responsible for what happens in his office.
"I take the bulllets on behalf of the office," Wrigley said. "I understand that. I just ask people to let me know where the entry wounds are coming."
Wrigley said he encourages communications within the office.
"I'm an easily accessible person," Wrigley said. "I'm a transparent person. And at the end of the day, I pride myself on being an accountable person."
The Attorney General’s office is on the ballot this fall.