Tony Zielinski eyes state attorney general job

Milwaukee—Alderman Tony Zielinski confirmed today that he is exploring running for Wisconsin State Attorney General in 2010. Zielinski said that he has been approached by a “number of people” who have asked him to consider running.

One of the key reasons he is eyeing the AG job, he said, is that public safety is an important issue for his constituents. “I feel that the attorney general has enormous capacity to help reduce crime in our communities,” he said. “Reducing crime would be my prime focus.”

Zielinski said getting gang members and drug dealers off the street would be his prime focus. He said sentencing needs to be tougher. “If that happens,” he said, “these criminals will get the message and then we’ll see a reduction in the crime rate.”

The office is currently held by J.B. Van Hollen who was elected in 2006.