Del. Stephen C. Shannon, D-Fairfax, is a step closer to a formal bid for attorney general.

Yesterday, he filed a statement of organization for the political committee Steve Shannon for Attorney General, according to Marty Mooradian, political director of Friends of Steve Shannon.

While he is laying the groundwork for a formal run, Shannon is not expected to officially kick off his campaign until late this year or early next year.

No other Democrat has formally entered the race, but Republican hopefuls are raising money in advance of a nomination fight to be decided at a convention.

According to July finance reports of cash raised and spent from Jan. 1 to June 30, Shannon's campaign committee reported $449,178 in the bank.

GOP contender Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax, reported that his campaign has $111,210 on hand, and former U.S. prosecutor John Brownlee raised $103,597. David Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, raised $35,273 for his exploratory effort.

-- Olympia Meola