Gov. John Kitzhaber today announced his endorsement of former federal prosecutor and Lewis & Clark Law Professor John Kroger in his race to become the next Attorney General of Oregon. “I am proud to endorse John Kroger to be the next Attorney General of Oregon,” Gov. Kitzhaber said. “I like John's deep courtroom experience and his thoughtful ideas for protecting our children and the environment. He's a fighter, and that makes him the right person for the job.”

Kroger was honored to earn Dr. Kitzhaber’s support. “Gov. Kitzhaber and I have discussed the future of the state in detail, including my ideas for fighting the meth crisis, reducing child abuse, and protecting the environment. Gov. Kitzhaber is a role model for me, and I am very honored to have his support.”

On Thursday, Gov. Kitzhaber and Kroger will tour the De Paul Youth Treatment Center in Portland with the Center’s Executive Director Sheila North. Kroger has made fighting meth addiction a pillar of his campaign. “Gov. Kitzhaber and I both understand the importance of making drug treatment a priority for Oregon,” he said.

Gov. Kitzhaber served two terms as Oregon’s governor between 1995 and 2003. He serves as the Director for the Center for Evidence Based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and he holds an endowed Chair on Health Care Policy with The Foundation for Medical Excellence, an Oregon based public, nonprofit educational foundation.

Kroger is an award-winning criminal prosecutor and law professor. As a federal prosecutor, he won major trials against mafia killers, corrupt government officials and drug kingpins. From 2002 to 2003, he helped prosecute the now-defunct Enron Corporation. In recognition of his work, Kroger won awards and commendations from Attorney General Janet Reno, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the State Department. He previously served in the United States Marine Corps.