Bell
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Republican state Delegate Robert B. Bell announced Tuesday he is running for the Virginia Attorney General's Office in 2013.
Bell, a former state prosecutor who represents Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene and Rockingham counties, described himself as a "conservative" and a "crime fighter" in a note on his Facebook page.
"I believe my experience as a prosecutor and a conservative lawmaker has given me the background to serve as Virginia's next attorney general," he said.
"As attorney general, I would continue to fight crime and to promote safer schools and neighborhoods. I would carry on Attorney General (Ken) Cuccinelli's battle to rein in unconstitutional overreach by the federal government. I would fight to protect property rights and to eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulations."
Last week, Cuccinelli announced he would run for governor in 2013. He will most likely be facing Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling in the state's gubernatorial primary. Bolling serves under current Gov. Bob McDonnell, who was Cuccinelli's predecessor as attorney general.
Also last week, Republican state Sen. Mark Obenshain announced he is thinking about running for the attorney general post.
Obenshain was elected to the state Senate in 2003. He represents the 26th District, which includes the city of Harrisonburg and the counties of Shenandoah, Page, Warren, Rappahannock and part of Rockingham County.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.