LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today released the following statement after the unexpected passing of North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.

“Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was not only an exceptional Attorney General, he was a remarkable mentor and friend to me and countless others,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Wayne’s gentle, measured approach combined with his charming sense of humor will be missed by all of us who knew him. My prayers go out to his wife, Beth, his son, Andrew, the Stenehjem family, and the entire North Dakota Attorney General’s Office during this difficult time.”

Attorney General Stenehjem began his service to the people of North Dakota in 1976 when he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives. After two terms, he went on to serve in the North Dakota Senate until his election to become Attorney General in 2000, making him the longest serving attorney general in the history of North Dakota.