MONTGOMERY, Ala., June 8 — FarmPAC, a political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation, has endorsed Steve Marshall for Alabama attorney general. Marshall faces a runoff July 17 for the Republican nomination.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell said since becoming attorney general, Marshall has defended Alabama farmers against regulatory overreach and worked to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of rural crimes.

“Attorney General Marshall is a tough, conservative leader and a friend of Alabama farmers,” Parnell said. “He has sought the input of Federation members and rural residents as he worked to fight crime, end corruption and push back against harmful regulations. He has done a great job as Alabama’s attorney general, and our members look forward to helping him win July 17 and earn a full term in November.”

In December, Marshall joined 12 other states in filing a lawsuit against the State of California for requiring that eggs sold in that state comply with its regulations governing the housing of laying hens. Marshall also signed onto a lawsuit with 12 other states against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for barring the sale of eggs, pork and veal not housed according to its new regulations.

Earlier last year, Marshall led a coalition of state attorneys general asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a legal challenge related to the Endangered Species Act. Weyerhauser v. US Fish and Wildlife challenged Obama administration rules vastly expanding the definition of a critical habitat for an endangered species to include areas where the species do not and cannot live.

A native of Atmore, Marshall served as district attorney for Marshall County from 2001 until he was named Alabama attorney general last February. He is a past president of the Alabama District Attorneys Association and former commission chairman of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. Marshall earned statewide recognition for his efforts to combat crystal meth and opioid abuse. Since becoming attorney general, Marshall has continued to fight drug addiction and abuse as a co-chair of Gov. Kay Ivey’s Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council.

Marshall and wife Bridgette live in Albertville, where he’s an elder at Lifepoint Church.