INDIANAPOLIS | Democrat Linda Pence, an Indianapolis attorney who helped the state settle a high-profile pollution case seven years ago, said she plans to announce her candidacy for state attorney general Thursday.

Pence, the only Democrat to publicly express interest in the post, has scheduled a fly-around with stops in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Sellersburg and Evansville.

"I am running for attorney general because Hoosiers need an independent voice to stand up for them," Pence said Wednesday in a statement. "Whether it's fighting mortgage and consumer fraud or battling the scourge of methamphetamine in our communities, Hoosiers deserve an attorney general who is tireless and relentless. I am ready for the challenge."

Republicans chose their nominee for attorney general earlier this week, selecting Greg Zoller, chief deputy to outgoing Attorney General Steve Carter, over Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas.

Pence is not expected to draw opposition at the June 21 State Democratic Convention. She formed an exploratory campaign committee for attorney general in January and raised $248,000 through the end of March.

Pence is best known for securing a more than $10 million civil settlement against Guide Corp., an Anderson, Ind., auto part company responsible for White River pollution releases that killed 117 tons of fish in December 1999. The late Gov. Frank O'Bannon, a Democrat, hired Pence to lead the case, which also resulted in $4.1 million in criminal penalties secured by federal prosecutors.