The attorney general shall appoint the consumer advocate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the attorney general, subject to confirmation by the senate, no less frequently than once every four years, in accordance with section 2.32. The consumer advocate is the chief administrator of the consumer advocate division of the department of justice.

 If a vacancy occurs in the office of consumer advocate, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment under the procedures of section 2.32.

 The existence of a fact which disqualifies a person from election or acting as utilities board member under section 474.2 disqualifies the person from appointment or acting as consumer advocate.

 The consumer advocate shall devote the advocate’s entire time to the duties of the office. During the advocate’s term of office the advocate shall not be a member of a political committee or contribute to a political campaign fund other than through the income tax checkoff for contributions to the presidential election campaign fund or take part in political campaigns or be a candidate for a political office.