The challenger in the attorney general’s race says it’s time todemand accountability from the state’s highest law office, and thathe feels he’s the man to bring that virtue back.

“People ask me do I support the sunshine bill,” said AttorneyGeneral hopeful Al Hopkins. “I tell them yes, but it’s notnecessary. If you have an honest attorney general, you don’t needit.”

Incumbent Attorney General Jim Hood’s opponent said his supportof the sunshine bill, which is aimed at insuring that governmentrecords are easily accessible, is so that taxpayers can know notonly where their money is going, but that it is being spentprudently.

Hopkins, who was born in Tippah County and now hails fromGulfport, cites his knowledge of the state from top to bottom aspart of the reason he chose to run for attorney general.

“I got into this race because I was concerned about the state ofMississippi,” he said. “It’s about dedication of service, and Ihave dedicated my life to my community and my state.”

The long-time Republican attorney who received his degree fromDelta State University and his law degree from Ole Miss is quick tostate his position on the gubernatorial race.

“You have to remember I’m from Gulfport. This state would be ina horrible situation without Haley Barbour,” he said, pointing outBarbour’s management of the Katrina emergencies, but also his workfrom the beginning of his tenure. “He has to have an attorneygeneral that he can trust to give him good legal advice.”

Hopkins is proud to speak of his military service to anyone,saying that serving his country is something that has alwaysmattered to him. He is currently serving his second six-year termas Chief Judge of the Court of Military Appeals for the MississippiMilitary Department.

“I have served in the military as an enlisted man and haveworked my way up to major general,” he said. “My opponent likes tomake light of my position of chief judge. But having worn theuniform for all those years, I’m very proud of that position.”

One of his first focuses in office, he said, is to crack down onthe war on drugs, saying he hopes to fill a need for enforcementthat is not currently being met.

“I plan to work with law enforcement in regards to the drugissues in Mississippi,” he said. “If it tells you anything, theMississippi Association of Drug Enforcement Officers and the PoliceBenevolent Association have endorsed me in my race. You know it’sbad when the police and the drug enforcement officers are endorsingsomeone who is running against an incumbent.”

More than anything, though, Hopkins said he wants to restorehonor and integrity to the office of attorney general. He said fromthe top down, there has to be accountability and honesty in everyposition in Mississippi government, and it’s the AG’s job toenforce that.

“People have to believe their top officer has the integrity todo it,” he said. “If not, we lose as a state. Anytime you haveregulation by litigation, you’re sacrificing democracy.”

Pointing out the fact that he was chief counsel on over 4,000cases in five states during Hood’s tenure in addition to the restof his resume, Hopkins summed it up in terms that matter to him,though.

“If there ever was a time you need transparency in the electedoffices in the state of Mississippi, it’s now,” he said. “It’s timefor some accountability. It’s time to fire your lawyer and hire oneyou can trust.”