A third hat has been tossed into the ring for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Keir Bradford-Grey, 48, the former head of Philadelphia’s public defense lawyers, became the third candidate to enter the race for the Democratic nomination for the state’s top law enforcement official.

If elected, she would become the first Black attorney general in Pennsylvania, as well as the first attorney general whose legal experience was primarily as a public defender.

She was Montgomery County’s chief public defender and was recruited for the position by then commissioner Josh Shapiro, who was about to become chair of Montco’s three-person board.

“I am running for Attorney General to fight for the same values I’ve championed for decades: fairness, opportunity, and justice,” she said. “As the Chief Defender in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties, I’ve seen firsthand the issues facing Pennsylvanians, and I am ready to continue the fight.

“As Attorney General, I will take on any powerful interests that treat vulnerable people unfairly, whether they are corporate polluters, opioid manufacturers, predatory lenders, or those who prey on our seniors. I will always fight to defend our security, human dignity and opportunity.

Former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and former federal prosecutor Joe Kahn have also declared their candidacy for the Democratic nod, while no GOP candidate has announced formally.

Bradford-Grey currently is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department and Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She concentrates her practice on white collar and government investigations and criminal defense, while also leading the firm’s Executive Leadership practice group.

A graduate of Albany State (Ga.) University, Bradford-Grey earned her law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit School of Law. She started her legal career as an assistant public defender in Philadelphia in 1999 and was a trial lawyer at the Defender Association and the Delaware Federal Public Defender’s Office before she was named chief defender for the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office in 2012.

In that role as Chief Defender, Bradford-Grey led a staff of over 500 and managed an annual budget of over $50 million.

In a two-minute video announcing her campaign, Bradford-Grey laid out her vision for the Attorney General’s office.

Bradford-Grey kicked off her campaign with endorsements as well.

“AFSCME District Council 33 is proud to support Keir Bradford-Grey, who has fought for working families her entire career,” said Ernest Garrett, AFSCME District Council 33 President. “As Attorney General, Keir will fight to protect our members’ wages, benefits, and job security. I can think of no better person for the job.”

“It is shocking that in 2023, Pennsylvania has still never elected a woman of color to statewide executive office. Keir is powerfully positioned to change that, and we are eager to support her campaign for Attorney General,” said Kevin Olasanoye. “Keir has been an unflinching ally for underserved and underrepresented communities, and she will continue to have our backs as Attorney General. The Collective PAC is proud to endorse her campaign.”

“Keir Bradford-Grey is a fighter for Pennsylvania. Full stop,” said State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams. “From her work as a public defender to her consistent advocacy within our neighborhoods and her diligence as a mother and community leader, I am proud to know Keir and to endorse her campaign for Attorney General.”

Shapiro stepped down as attorney general in January when he was sworn in as governor. He appointed his top deputy, Michelle Henry, to finish the last two years of his term as attorney general.

Henry, a former Bucks County prosecutor, has said she does not plan to run for the office in 2024.

This story will be updated