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Jackley sworn in as state's Attorney General

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Marty Jackley, who has served as U.S. attorney for South Dakota since 2006, was sworn in Friday as the state's 30th attorney general.

Gov. Mike Rounds appointed Jackley, 38, to the constitutional office on Aug. 19 after Attorney General Larry Long was named a circuit court judge.

Rounds said Jackley treats everyone as a friend, inside and outside the courtroom.

"Marty is also someone who understands that the manner in which you enforce the law influences people's respect for the law," the governor said Friday. "Marty will be an outstanding attorney general who will serve the state of South Dakota well for years to come."

Jackley was sworn in by his father, former Meade County state's attorney Michael Jackley, during a noon ceremony at the Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls.

After taking the oath, Jackley thanked the governor for the appointment and Long for his longtime leadership in the position.

Jackley committed to work hard so that lawyers who appear in front of judges and legislators "say those words 'I'm here on behalf of the state of South Dakota' with enthusiasm and that same level of integrity, preparedness and skilled advocacy."

Former President George W. Bush had appointed Jackley as U.S. attorney for South Dakota.

The Sturgis native received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School in 1995. He was a law clerk for a federal judge until 1997, a partner in a Rapid City law firm and worked as a special assistant state attorney general in 2001-2005.

President Barack Obama has nominated Brendan Johnson, son of U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, to be the next U.S. attorney in South Dakota.

Gov. Rounds appointed Long, a Republican, to serve as a judge in Sioux Falls in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Minnehaha and Lincoln counties. He was scheduled to be sworn in to his new post on Friday afternoon.

Long was elected attorney general in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. Before that, he was chief deputy to former Attorney General Mark Barnett, who also was appointed to a judgeship in 2007.

After the ceremony, Long joked that Jackley will likely receive some kind of a strange phone call in the next 24 hours, "and now it's his problem."

Jackley announces he will run for Attorney General

PIERRE -- Marty Jackley, who was recently appointed South Dakota attorney general to fill a vacancy, took the first formal step Wednesday to seek his own four-year term in the office in next year's election.

Jackley filed a document with the secretary of state's office to give official notice that he has formed a campaign committee.

Gov. Mike Rounds appointed Jackley, 39, to the office effective Sept. 4 after Attorney General Larry Long was named a circuit judge. The appointment means Jackley will serve the remainder of Long's term, which runs until the end of next year.

Jackley, who had been U.S. attorney for South Dakota since 2006, said he wants to seek his own four-year term as attorney general in the 2010 election because he enjoys the office's responsibility for representing the state in lawsuits, working with the Legislature, and prosecuting those accused of crimes.

He said he wants to make sure the attorney general's office has a team of lawyers who are firm, fair and skilled to represent the public's interests.

"My goal is to continue to keep my nose to the ground and do a strong job as attorney general and at election time emphasize experience both in the private sector and as U.S. attorney and my litigation experience," Jackley said.

No other Republicans or Democrats have publicly indicated an intent to run for attorney general next year.

South Dakota Democratic Party officials did not immediately return a call Wednesday seeking comment on potential Democratic candidates for attorney general.