From JSonline.com:

Democrat Scott Hassett, a former state Department of Natural Resources chief, filed paperwork Thursday to challenge Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen in next year’s election.

Hassett filed a campaign registration statement with state election officials. The statement allows him to raise campaign money and enables him to get on the ballot if he can collect at least 2,000 signatures on his nomination papers.

Hassett hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, but the filing essentially signals he’s in the race.

“It’s a good time for me. A lot of people, friends, people whose judgment I trust, encouraged me to do this. I just think it’s a great challenge,” Hassett said.

Van Hollen, a Republican, was scheduled to attend a $250-a-person campaign fund-raising golf outing Thursday in Wisconsin Dells. His campaign and the state’s Republican Party did not immediately comment.

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