Corbett names longtime federal prosecutor as new Pa. AG

February 8, 2011 at 2:50p.m.

HARRISBURG Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett is nominating Linda Kelly — a longtime federal prosecutor from the Pittsburgh U.S. attorney’s office — to succeed him as Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement official.

Corbett introduced Kelly at a news conference today in the Capitol as his pick to finish his second term as attorney general. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be Pennsylvania’s second female attorney general.

The 61-year-old Kelly has been a prosecutor for more than 30 years.

Kelly will need votes from 34 of 50 state senators to be confirmed as attorney general. Since Corbett vacated the office on Jan. 18, his former top deputy, Bill Ryan, has run the office.

Voters will elect a new attorney general for a four-year term in November 2012.