SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A high-profile Democratic defense attorney entered the race for Utah attorney general Tuesday, shortly after a reform-minded prosecutor mounted a challenge from within the Republican Party.

Defense attorney and former prosecutor Greg Skordas took a broad political view as he announced his candidacy, saying the conservative state's “career politicians” are out of touch. He pointed to laws passed by voters over resistance from state lawmakers, including Medicaid expansion and a measure aimed at curbing gerrymandering.

Skordas has previously run for Salt Lake county attorney as and worked on some of the highest-profile criminal cases in the state.

“The people of Utah deserve to have a top attorney who will represent their interests in court, ” he said in a statement, adding that he would not join lawsuits seeking to “take away our health care and endanger our environment."

His bid for the Democratic nomination came days after Republican Utah County Attorney David Leavitt said he would challenge fellow Republican Sean Reyes for the job.

Leavitt, who has been in the role for a year, announced his candidacy in a Facebook video last Friday.

He wants to reform what he called a “broken” criminal justice system and expand Utah County initiatives like a program to give nonviolent drug offenders opportunities to restart their lives.

“In a nation that incarcerates more people than anywhere in the world, we have work to do,” Leavitt said. “Most of those are nonviolent offenders. We have done a poor job at trying to help these offenders come back into society.”

Reyes has held the position since 2013, when he was appointed by Republican Gov. Gary Herbert.

Reyes has targeted the opioid epidemic, suicide, human trafficking, cybercrime and white-collar fraud during his tenure, the Deseret News reported.

“The people of this state know I stand for the Rule of Law and justice for all, not just the elite,” Reyes said in a statement. “I will run a positive and strong campaign to remain Utah’s top law enforcement leader and the State’s principal legal counsel.”

Attorney Kevin Rollo Probasco has also filed for the Democratic nomination, according to state records. He did not immediately respond to an e-mail message seeking comment. Candidates have until Thursday to file the paperwork to run in the election.