Into the Ring

Doug Gansler made it official today: he will seek the Democratic nomination for the attorney general's seat being vacated by five-term incumbent J. Joseph Curran Jr.

Gansler, 43, the Montgomery County chief prosecutor who's been considering a bid for quite some time, has raised more than $1.4 million for the campaign and has been working to line up support beyond his Montgomery base. He pledged to go after gangs, those polluting the Chesapeake Bay and other criminals "whether they be terrorists, snipers or sexual predators; price gougers, polluters or common crooks."

He have some competition, namely from fellow Democrat and Montgomery County pol, Councilman Tom Perez. Perez said he plans to announce next week. On the Republican side, Frederick State's Attorney Scott Rolle has already declared his candidacy.

In Prince George's County, County Council member Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Bowie) also made an announcement today, declareing he'sll run for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Leo E. Green (D).

Peters, who has served three years on the council, is the third candidate to jump into the race. The Rev. Bobby Henry, an attorney and associate minister at Jericho City of Praise in Landover and Gregory Holmes, a project manager, recently announced their intentions. Henry captured 45 percent of the vote in a failed attempt to unseat Green in 2002.

The 23rd state Senate District includes Bowie, Mitchellville, and parts of Laurel and Upper Marlboro.

Steve Vogel and Ovetta Wiggins