SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Chris Kelly, the chief privacy officer at the online social networking site Facebook, has began his campaign for California attorney general.

On Wednesday, 38-year-old Kelly ended speculation that he would seek the Democratic AG nomination, announcing that he has formed an exploratory committee to consider whether he should run.

Incumbent Attorney General Jerry Brown is considering a run for governor in 2010. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is barred by term limits from seeking another term.

Kelly, who clerked for a federal judge in Southern California, worked in President Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign and in his early days in the White House as an education consultant.

In a statement, Kelly said as the state's chief legal officer he would protect consumers and hold government accountable to taxpayers.

"We need a strong consumer protection advocate as California's chief law enforcement officer, defending people against unfair practices and schemes," Kelly said in a statement.

In a YouTube video posted on his campaign Web site, Kelly said he would use his Internet expertise to help protect Californians.

"Improving Internet safety for young people and providing people of all ages with safer online experiences will be a critical goal for me as your attorney general," Kelly said.

Among others interested in running for California attorney general is: San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and state Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance.

From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.