RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli earned the Republican nomination for Virginia's attorney general post Saturday and will attempt to keep the GOP's hold on the office.

Cuccinelli is trying to replace Bob McDonnell, who is running for governor this year. He has already stepped down to concentrate on his campaign. Republican Bill Bolling, meanwhile, will run for re-election as lieutenant governor.

Cuccinelli learned he earned the ticket at the state's Republican convention.

"As your next Attorney General, I will continue to promote a prosperous and secure Commonwealth by combating crime, defending constitutional rights, promoting open government and accountability, enforcing immigration laws, protecting life and families, and keeping Virginia a low-tax, low-regulation and pro-business state," he says on his campaign Web site.

Cuccinelli beat out former U.S Attorney John Brownlee and Arlington attorney Dave Foster.

Bill Mims, McDonnell's chief deputy attorney general, is serving McDonnell's term.

Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said McDonnell's candidacy "is part of a Republican renaissance that starts this year in Virginia," according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.