Five things you need to know about Joseph Siegelman

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Joseph Siegelman
[Photo Credit: Joseph Siegelmans campaign Facebook page]

Now that the runoff elections are over, voters are turning their attention to the November General Election only 106 days away.

Democratic Attorney General candidate Joseph Siegelman beat his primary opponent Chris Christie in the June primary elections while Incumbent Attorney General and Republican candidate Steve Marshall was thrown into a runoff race.

Marshall won his runoff election against Troy King last week with just over 62 percent of the vote; now Marshall will face Siegelman in the November General Election.

The attorney general is responsible for representing the state in criminal and civil matters, and the office often is a stepping-stone to other positions. Just ask former Alabama attorney general and U.S. Senator, now-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Joseph Siegelman:

1. He’s the the son of former Gov. Don Siegelman.
Siegelman’s father, former Gov. Don Siegelman was a dominating figure in state politics for years, but his career came to a close with a conviction on federal bribery charges. In 2016, Siegelman had filed a lawsuit seeking Department of Justice documents about his father’s prosecution. Ultimately nothing came of it and Don Siegelman was released in 2017, which was a year to the day that Joseph announced his candidacy, from a federal prison in Louisiana where he was serving a six-year sentence for bribery and obstruction of justice.
2. He received some big endorsements during the primary. 
Siegelman has been endorsed by the New South Alliance and equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter.
3. He would be a very young AG.
If elected, Siegelman, 29, would only be 30 when he assumes office — a stark contrast to his Republican opponent, Steve Marshall who’s career has spanned over 30 years.
4. He’s the managing partner and with The Cochran Firm.
Siegelman is the managing partner in The Cochran Firm – Birmingham office. There, his practice focuses primarily in the areas of personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice and mass tort litigation. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association and the Birmingham Bar Association and is admitted to practice in all Alabama State and Federal courts.
5. Roll Tide Roll. 
Siegelman obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama while completing part of his coursework at the London School of Economics and Political Science in London, England. He received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Alabama’s Honors College and Business Honors Program.
He also received his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. In law school, he twice represented the University of Alabama as an advocate on its National Trial Team and was awarded the George Peach Taylor Award for his outstanding trial advocacy.