Denise Y. Lunsford is seeking the Democratic nomination for Albemarle County commonwealth's attorney to challenge incumbent Republican Jim Camblos.
"Yes, I'm running," Lunsford said Tuesday. "I've put a team together. We've begun to organize. I intend to make a formal announcement on March 13 at noon in front of the county courthouse."
Lunsford has not yet filed paperwork with the State Board of Elections or with local Democrats.
According to Fred Hudson, chairman of the Albemarle County Democratic Committee, Lunsford is the only candidate in the party so far who has indicated a desire to challenge Camblos.
The filing deadline is April 30 and an assembled caucus of local Democrats will choose a candidate May 14.
Lunsford, a 42-year-old mother of three, has been practicing law in Charlottesville and Albemarle County since earning her law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1990.
The Tennessee native lives in Charlottesville with her partner, Richard Brewer, and their three children, ages 6, 5 and 3.
Initially, Lunsford was hired to do commercial litigation for the law firm of Michie, Hamlett, Lowry, Rassmussen & Tweel. In 1997, she went into private practice, working almost exclusively in criminal defense.
Lunsford said she knows the system and can spot weaknesses in prosecutions, giving her unique insight into the job.
"I have a lot of experience on the defense side, but I think that's an asset on the prosecution side," Lunsford said.
She recently returned to the courtroom after taking time away to reflect on her career and make the decision to run for office.
"As a prosecutor you can do more good things," she said. "You can help more people, do more to help the people of Albemarle County."
Although Lunsford lives in Charlottesville, state law makes a residency exception for commonwealth's attorney candidates, allowing her to run for the office in the county.
Hudson pointed out that Camblos, who has won four four-year terms as commonwealth's attorney, ran as a city resident in the past.
Camblos, 60, is expected to receive the Republican nomination May 17 at the Albemarle County Office Building.
In 2003, he briefly faced a challenger for his party's nomination, but city prosecutor Ron Huber eventually bowed out of the race. Camblos faced no competition in the 2003 general election.
Camblos could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The general election is set for Nov. 6.
