Frosh Announces Attorney General Campaign

The chairman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee said he'll leave the Senate and campaign to "be the people's lawyer."

Sen. Brian Frosh, a five-term Montgomery County Democrat, announced Tuesday that he will run for Maryland attorney general.

“In a world where powerful special interests seem to get all the breaks, too many Marylanders feel like their voices aren’t being heard,” Frosh said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “They want to know they’ve got an advocate who will fight for them.  They want to know someone has got their backs.  That’s why, after much encouragement from Marylanders across the state, I’ve decided to run for Attorney General. I want to be the people’s lawyer.”

Frosh's announcement included a general set of priorities he said he had if he is elected.

“We need an Attorney General who will fight for justice and equal treatment for all Marylanders; someone who knows that protecting our children and fighting for safe communities is the first step in creating opportunity for all; someone who will protect consumers and seniors from those who try to defraud them; and someone who will enforce laws that protect our environment; and someone who will work to prevent discrimination so that all Marylanders have the opportunities they deserve," Frosh said in his statement.

Frosh has chaired the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee since 2003. Over the last two years that committee has handled controversial legislation including the gun control bill and death penalty repeal earlier this year and same-sex marriage legislation in 2012. He was also responsible for allowing the voting session on the gun bill that was held in his committee to be broadcast over the Internet—the first time any committee has allowed that to happen.

Frosh is the latest Democrat to announce his intention to seek the office currently held by Douglas Gansler, who is expected to announce his candidacy for governor in the fall.

Frosh was first elected to the Senate in 1994. Prior to that, he served two terms in the House of Delegates.

Last week, Del. Jon Cardin, a Baltimore County Democrat, announced he would seek to succeed Gansler.

Dels. Bill Frick and Aisha Braveboy, Democrats from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties respectively, are also said to be considering runs.

Frosh has the early lead on campaign cash, according to the most recent Maryland State Board of Elections filings.

Frosh has more than $390,000 according to the most recent report filed in January. Cardin reported having $170,000 on hand. Frick and Braveboy reported more than $60,000 and $9,200 respectively.