The Senate unanimously confirmed Buckingham’s nomination on Friday, or two days after the governor announced the appointment.
“I am pleased with the Senate’s swift confirmation of my attorney general nomination. I am very happy to have finally found a highly qualified attorney willing to serve as the commonwealth’s attorney general with the Senate’s complete support. I appreciate the strong bipartisan support extended to Mr. Buckingham,” the governor said in a statement.
He added that Buckingham is expected to “capably manage the Office of the Attorney General with integrity and the continued support of the administration and Legislature, and the people we were elected to represent.”
Fitial thanked Deputy Attorney General Gregory Baka “for his commitment and dedication to serve the Office of the Attorney General” for nearly a year following the resignation of then-Attorney General Matthew Gregory.
In a brief statement to government lawyers, Baka said it’s great to have Buckingham as the new AG.
“After the AG’s desk having been unoccupied for 10-1/2 months, it is great to have someone permanently assigned to that office. I have long looked forward to this day,” said Baka.
He added, “I would also like to thank all of you for your strong support during my tenure as acting AG. We couldn’t have made it over the past months without working together, and I hope that teamwork will be redoubled under Ed’s leadership.”
Buckingham is the third-longest serving attorney of the AG’s office and one of few who worked both in the civil and criminal divisions.
