AUGUSTA (AP) – The three-way race for one of the state’s most prominent public offices, attorney general, will be decided Tuesday as the newly elected Legislature chooses a nominee to head the $30 million department that represents the state in legal matters.

Even before they are sworn into office, the Democratic House and Senate members-to-be will engage in high State House drama as they stand behind one of the contestants for the job: Sean Faircloth of Bangor, Janet Mills of Farmington or John Brautigam of Falmouth. Maine is one of few states in which the attorney general is not popularly elected.

Faircloth, currently the assistant House majority leader or whip, and Brautigam are finishing terms in the House. Mills, a former district attorney in western Maine, was re-elected to the House last month. Because Democrats have majorities in both the House and Senate, Tuesday’s nominee is virtually assured of election by the full Legislature after it’s sworn in Wednesday.

Democrats have already nominated House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree of North Haven to serve as speaker during the 2009-10 session. Republicans say they do not expect to nominate a candidate for speaker. But they left open the possibility they would advance candidates for attorney general and the other high-profile offices legislators must fill: secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

The three Democratic incumbents faced no known challengers from their own party.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap of Old Town would begin his third term as head of the agency that oversees elections and motor vehicle laws. Treasurer David Lemoine would also begin his third two-year term. State Auditor Neria Douglass is going for her second, four-year term.

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