HELENA -- Montana State Representative John Parker of Great Falls has made official what was unofficially known for months: he is a Democratic candidate for Montana Attorney General in 2008.

Parker formally announced his candidacy yesterday at the Great Falls County Courthouse, citing 36 statewide endorsements from fellow Democrats. He has been House Minority Leader since 2002.

Rep. Parker has already been running a campaign for attorney general against two other prominent declared Democrats for the past three months, LegalNewsLine reported in late March.

Former State Senator Mike Wheat of Bozeman and former executive assistant AG Steve Bullock of Helena threw their hats into the Democratic ring months ago.

Parker will likely run a law-and-order campaign focusing on his tough record on "headline crimes" like meth production and child pornography. Other pledges on his campaign website include more police training and consumer protection and maintaining "a clean and healthful environment."

Under the heading "Legislating to Keep Montana Safe," Parker's self-touted record is mostly criminal-justice achievements. But it also states that he "strengthened consumer protection in Montana by moving the State Consumer Protection Office into the Attorney General's Office, with strong support from AARP."

Republican attorney general hopefuls didn't emerge from their bunker until two months later, LegalNewsLine recently reported. Helena attorney Tim Fox and Butte attorney Lee Bruner kicked off the GOP race in early June.

Incumbent Mike McGrath must step down in 2008 due to term limits and is currently a candidate for Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.