Sam Dean | The Roanoke Times

John Brownlee announced this morning that he will seek the Republican Party nomination for the Virginia attorney general's office.

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John Brownlee, the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, announced this morning that he will seek the Republican Party nomination for the Virginia attorney general’s race in the November 2009 statewide election.

Packaging himself as “Virginia’s conservative prosecutor,” Brownlee made his announcement this morning at the Roanoke County Administrative Building, just four days after leaving office.

"I am a conservative Republican and I am running to be Virginia's next attorney general," said Brownlee, who had been appointed to the federal prosecutor's job by President Bush.

Brownlee described the essence of his platform as being concerned with "justice for all." He repeatedly mentioned that he wanted to ensure that Virginians have access to "safe and prosperous communities."

Specifically, he cited his opposition to abortion and his belief that life begins at conception, his concern with school and Internet safety for children, his willingness to support enforcement of the death penalty, his opposition to illegal immigration, and other conservative law-and-order themes.

Brownlee will face at least one rival for the party nomination. State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli of Fairfax County became the first announced candidate for the GOP nod last month. Cuccinelli is one of the highest-profile conservatives in the Virginia Senate.

Brownlee declined to contrast himself with Cuccinelli, saying there would be plenty of time to talk about the opponent in the future but not today.

Brownlee has kicked off his campaign online, as well: johnbrownlee2009.com