HELENA -- The official Democratic field vying to succeed soon-to-be-outgoing Democratic Attorney General Mike McGrath is getting bigger every day.

On Wednesday it was Democrat House Minority Leader John Parker of Great Falls officially joining the race. He has informed the state's Office of Political Practices of his intention and will formally announce when lawmakers adjourn.

Bozeman lawyer and former State Senator Mike Wheat on Thursday officially declared himself a Democratic candidate for the state's top law-enforcement job. Wheat had for weeks been considered an unofficial candidate for the post.

Term limits have made the popular McGrath ineligible for re-election as attorney general in 2008. So far no Republicans have officially declared for their side of the race.

Wheat and Parker have joined Helena attorney and former executive assistant attorney general Steve Bullock as confirmed Democratic candidates for the post. Bullock served former Attorney General Joe Mazurek and was chief legal counsel to former Secretary of State Mike Cooney.

Wheat said he thinks the Montana attorney-general's office must increase its emphasis on "consumer protection issues" like identity theft. He added that the office must protect and advise "without regard to partisan politics."

"There are a lot of ways where the attorney general can act as watchdog," Wheat said.

Parker's statement yesterday said he is currently focused on "state budget matters and the other work of the legislative session." He has been in the legislature since 2003.

Bullock has already named Mazurek as his campaign manager.