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Ex-Rep. Murphy throws hat in new ring

Former Bucks County congressman Pat Murphy is running again - for state attorney general.

Former Congressman Patrick J. Murphy announced Wednesday that he will run for state Attorney General.
Former Congressman Patrick J. Murphy announced Wednesday that he will run for state Attorney General.Read more

Former Bucks County congressman Pat Murphy is running again - for state attorney general.

Murphy, a Democrat who lost his reelection bid last fall to Republican Mike Fitzpatrick, announced today that he will seek his party's nomination for state attorney general in 2012.

"I've spent my entire life protecting American families, Murphy said in a prepared statement. "I'm running for attorney general because I want to continue that important work and make sure that the people of Pennsylvania have an advocate who will fight crime wherever it is - on the streets, in corporate boardrooms, or in Harrisburg."

Murphy, 37, is a lawyer and an Iraq war veteran. His statement quoted U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Philadelphia) as voicing support for his run.

The attorney general's job is now held on an interim basis by Bill Ryan, who was appointed after the post's last occupant - his boss, Tom Corbett - was elected governor.

Corbett named federal prosecutor Linda Kelly of Pittsburgh to serve out the rest of his term; she awaits state Senate confirmation. Kelly took the job with the understanding that she would not run for a full four-year term in 2012.

   - Inquirer staff