[media-credit name=’DEREK MONTGOMERY/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk threw her hat in the ring for the race for Wisconsin Attorney General Monday, in an announcement outside the Madison City County Building.

Touting her career in law and public service, Falk said she entered the fight for the Democratic nomination for the 2006 fall elections because she feels she can "do better" than incumbent Democrat Peg Lautenschlager.

"We live in perilous times, times of risk and times of great opportunity," Falk said. "We need a strong attorney general to defend against these threats and to seize these opportunities."

Falk said she would fight to curb gang violence, which she said has run rampant in the state and has significantly contributed to Wisconsin's homicide rate. In addition, Falk spoke out against proposed concealed-carry legislation, though she admitted being a hunter.

Exactly a year from Monday, voters will decide who will hold the office of the state's top cop, but first the playing field will be narrowed, as the holders of the Democratic and Republican tickets will be determined in the spring primaries.

Notable figures were quick to choose sides Monday, with Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton pledging support for the incumbent.

"Wisconsin needs an attorney general who is wise, tenacious, independent and committed to transparency," Lawton said. "Peg Lautenschlager is that attorney general, and I continue to support her candidacy for a second term."

Some Democrats in the state have voiced concern over Lautenschlager's ability to be reelected due to her conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol, stemming from a February 2004 incident.

While Falk would not comment on the possible role of Lautenschlager's record in the upcoming election, she remained fairly tight-lipped about whether she has ever gotten behind the wheel after drinking.

"I'm not much of a drinker," Falk said.

Paul Bucher, who previously announced his candidacy for the AG office as a Republican, vilified Falk's stance on criminal justice and accused her of being out of touch with the wants of residents in the state.

"I highly doubt that most people in Wisconsin want an individual who has so constantly been a thorn in the side of law enforcement as their 'top cop,' whose ideas would put our families at risk and who has virtually no prosecutorial experience," Bucher said in a release.

However, Falk said her 14-year experience as assistant attorney general, which is longer than any of her competitors, gives her the know-how to head the AG's office in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

"I know the department, I have litigated dozens and dozens and dozens of cases," Falk said. "I have a track record here of investing in public safety as county executive — none of the other candidates have made those tough decisions to beef up law enforcement in the courts, the District Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's Department."

Despite this, Lautenschlager defended her term as the state's highest law enforcement official, saying it warrants another.

"I exercise my judgment based on the law and not politics, using the experience I bring with me to the job," Lautenschlager said in a release. "I am proud of the last three years of accomplishment at the Wisconsin Department of Justice and look forward to discussing it with the people of the state."

Additionally, Falk said she would go to bat on issues that are important to college students, like domestic violence and the right to choose.

Though they were present behind Falk while she gave her speech, members of College Democrats of Madison said they would not endorse a specific Democrat for AG. Brian Shactman, chair of the organization, said Falk and Lautenschlager are both strong candidates, adding he feels Lautenschlager's DUI should not come into play in the election.

"I hope it's not an issue," Shactman said. "I hope they actually talk about the issues that are of importance to the state."

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz voiced his support for Falk, saying she will have a better chance at beating whichever Republican is chosen in the primary. Lautenschlager is more "vulnerable" to criticism, he added.

"I think there's no question Kathleen will have a much better chance at winning the election," Cieslewicz said. "And that has got to be a consideration."