Frosh announces campaign for attorney general

Frosh, 66, has served as chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee since 2003. He was elected to the House in 1986 and moved up to the Senate in 1994.

If elected, Frosh would succeed Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, who is expected to announce his candidacy for governor in September. Del. Jon Cardin of Baltimore County has also declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. Del. Aisha N. Braveboy of Prince George's County and Del. C. William Frick of Montgomery are also considered potential candidates in the wide-open race.

Frosh's announcement has long been expected. While the attorney general's office has sometimes been seen as a stepping stone to a race for governor, Frosh -- a generation older than his rivals -- has said he has no interest in seeking that office.

Before being appointed chairman of Judicial Proceedings, Frosh was known as the leading environmentalist in the Senate. In his current post, he has been a leading advocate for gun control, abolition of the death penalty and same-sex marriage.

Frosh plans a campaign kickoff event in September.

So far, no Republican candidate for attorney general has emerged. The last time a Republican was elected to the office was in 1918. Republican Edward D. E. Rollins held the office between 1952 and 1954 as an appointee of GOP Gov. Theodore R. McKeldin.