HELENA-Tim Fox, a Helena lawyer in private practice, on Thursday became the first Republican to enter the 2008 race for attorney general and pledged to protect Montanans and fight crime.

"I want to make Montana unattractive and inaccessible to criminals, and I will aggressively prosecute those who threaten our safety and our property," Fox told a crowd of about 40 people at in the Capitol rotunda. "I will promote a system of justice that protects our constitutional rights, fosters stability in the rule of law and does not seek or encourage judicial activism."

The attorney general is the state's chief legal and law enforcement official and heads the 750-employee Justice Department.

Fox, 49, vowed to apply the laws passed by the Legislature, and lacking legislative directive, by the courts, despite any personal beliefs he may have.

"If I disagree with the law, I will work with you and the Legislature to see that it is changed," Fox said.

Fox cited his credentials as a public defender and private practice lawyer representing Montana businesses and his management running a 100-person division in the state Environmental Quality Department.

"No other announced or rumored candidate for the office of Montana attorney general brings such important education and experiences for the job," he said.

In response to questions, Fox declined to discuss specific policy issues or say what, if any, changes, he would make to the Justice Department. He said he will save those for another day after some additional study.

"This campaign is about improving the safety and security of all Montanans, especially our children, senior citizens, the disenfranchised and the disadvantaged," Fox said.

He has drawn endorsements of a number of prominent Republicans, including former Govs. Tim Babcock, Judy Martz and Marc Racicot. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage, a former legislator, is the campaign's treasurer.

Fox said he estimates he will need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for a primary and general election race, depending on his opponents.

Fox is seeking the office being vacated by Democratic Attorney General Mike McGrath, who is barred by term limits from running again. McGrath instead is running for chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court.

Today, another Republican candidate, Lee Bruner of Butte, will jump into the race. Bruner, an attorney in private practice, plans to announce his candidacy on the steps of the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse at 3 p.m.

On the Democratic side, three candidates have announced so far. They are: Steve Bullock, a former assistant attorney general who is in private practice in Helena; House Minority Leader John Parker of Great Falls, a deputy county attorney; and former Sen. Mike Wheat, an attorney in private practice in Bozeman.

Unlike some of the Democratic candidates, Fox has never held public office before. Their experience as elected officials is valuable, but that is not everything required for the attorney general, he said, citing his own experience in the private and public sector.

Fox is a partner in the Helena law firm of Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman. He previously worked as vice president and counsel for Mountain West Bank, as an attorney and administrator for the state Department of Environmental Quality and as environmental coordinator for the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation.

Biography

Name: Tim Fox.

Office sought: Attorney general.

Political party: Republican.

Age: 49.

Birthdate and place: Aug. 22, 1957, in Billings.

Home: Helena.

Occupation: Attorney in the Helena law firm of Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman, where he has worked since 2003, becoming a partner in 2005.

Family: Wife, Karen, and children: Anna Emmert, Michael McMahon, Laura McMahon and Caroline Fox.

Education: Graduated from Hardin High School, 1976; bachelor's degree in geology, 1981, University of Montana; law degree, UM, 1987.

Past employment: vice president and general counsel, Mountain West Bank, Helena, 1999-2003; acting division administrator, state Department of Environmental Quality, 1998; attorney, Department of Environmental Quality, 1998-99; solo private practice, Billings and Helena, 1993-96; environmental coordinator, state Board of Oil and Gas Conservation in Billings, 1990-93; associate attorney, Moulton, Bellingham, Longo & Mather law firm in Billings 1988-90; law clerk to Montana Supreme Court Justice L.C. Gulbrandson, 1987-88.

Military: None.

Political experience: Has not run for public office previously, but has been active in Republican politics and helped GOP candidates.