GOP ahead of Dunn in field for AG race

With state Attorney General Rob McKenna widely expected to run for governor in 2012, the scrambling has already started among potential candidates for attorney general.

Just about everyone expects King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson to announce his plans to run for AG soon as a Democrat. (Ferguson said he'll make a formal announcement on his future in the next few days.)

Meanwhile, Republicans are laying the groundwork for one of Ferguson's colleagues: King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn.

The King County GOP registered the domain name "DunnForAG.com" this week, according to a "Whois" record.

The party had no comment, but Dunn confirmed Thursday he's taking a hard look.

"Obviously Rob McKenna has been an excellent attorney general and has set an incredibly high bar for performance in that office," Dunn said.

"I will say this — if he does announce for governor, I would be seriously considering a run for [attorney general]," he said. "But I still haven't made up my mind and I am watching very much what Rob decides to do."

Dunn said he wasn't aware the King County GOP had purchased the potential campaign website. He seemed amused by it.

"My party actually did something. That's funny," he said.

Another potential Democratic candidate, former Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, said he, too, "is not ruling out" running for the job again in 2012. Ladenburg lost to McKenna in 2008.

To reach a Seattle Times political editor, call 206-464-2204.