WASHINGTON (AP) — Former federal lawyer Edward “Smitty” Smith says his roots in Washington make him the right choice to become the District of Columbia’s first elected attorney general.

The 34-year-old Smith officially launched his campaign on Saturday. His campaign says he’s already raised $70,000 and gathered nearly two-thirds of the necessary signatures to get his name on the ballot.

Smith is one of four announced candidates for attorney general. The District’s top lawyer is currently appointed by the mayor, but voters approved a referendum to make it an elected position. The first election is in November.

The other candidates are white-collar defense attorney Karl Racine, public policy attorney Lateefah Williams and defense lawyer Paul Zukerberg.

Smith is a District native who grew up in working-class neighborhoods.

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