Stressing his conservative credentials, the former top prosecutor in western Virginia says he wants to be the state's next attorney general.

John Brownlee announced Tuesday in Roanoke that he will seek the Republican nomination to run for Virginia attorney general next year.

The 43-year-old Brownlee stepped down Friday as U.S. attorney, a job he held for seven years.

He faces opposition for the nomination from state Senator Ken Cuccinelli, a Fairfax County attorney.

The current attorney general, Robert F. McDonnell, is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.