AUGUSTA -- Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday nominated Janet Mills, of Farmington, to be Maine's next attorney general.

If her nomination is confirmed, as expected, by the full Legislature today, Mills would be the first woman in Maine history to hold the position and the 55th attorney general of Maine.

Mills, 60, defeated fellow Democrats John Brautigam, of Falmouth, and Sean Faircloth, of Bangor, for the job. Because she was re-elected to the House in November, there will now be a special election to fill her seat representing Farmington and Industry.

Supporters described Mills as tough, smart, experienced and the "epitome of the multitasker."

It is unlikely Republicans will oppose Mills' nomination, House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, said.

"Based on my informal poll of our caucus, we will make an enthusiastic endorsement of Janet Mills," he said. "For us, it's about having a competent, credible top law enforcement officer in the state."

Mills spent 15 years as district attorney for Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. She currently is an attorney at a law firm in Skowhegan with her brother, Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville.

In a speech before the secret-ballot vote, Mills said she's spent 32 years working in the Maine justice system. A native of rural Maine, she said her grandparents were potato farmers and stone cutters.

Throughout the years, she's worked on many Democratic campaigns.

"I have never let a Democrat down and I have never stopped practicing law," she said.

House and Senate Democrats on Tuesday also chose their nominees for secretary of state, treasurer and auditor. Because Democrats hold strong majorities in the House and Senate, their positions are all but assured.

They nominated incumbents for three of the positions: Matthew Dunlap, of Old Town, for secretary of state; David Lemoine, of Old Orchard Beach, as treasurer; and Neria Douglass, of Auburn, as auditor.

The only real race was for attorney general.

Current Attorney General Steven Rowe is barred by term limits from seeking another term. He has said he will run for governor in 2010.

Throughout the nominating speeches for the attorney general post, Democrats made reference to the heated battle for the job. Faircloth and Brautigam both gave up their seats in the Legislature to run for the position.

"Let's commit ourselves today, regardless of the outcome of the AG's race, to hang together and not squander the majority and the opportunity we have," said Rep. Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, who nominated Faircloth.

In speaking on behalf of Mills, Rep.-elect Henry Beck of Waterville encouraged fellow freshmen to support his choice.

"I hope you consider the kind of confidence you can have if we choose an attorney general candidate who is supremely qualified," he said.

And Rep. Thom Watson of Bath said he remembers Mills, while serving as district attorney, as someone who was able to bring a successful resolution to a union strike back in the 1980s.

"Janet sat both sides down and said there's going to be peace in my town," he said.

Mills also shared some personal details with her Democratic colleagues, recalling what it was like to marry a widower with five girls.

After a long day at work, she said she came home to find the youngest daughter putting a fancy dress on one of her Barbie dolls.

She asked why Barbie was getting so dressed up.

Her daughter replied: "Today, Barbie had grand jury and tonight she's got to go to a Democratic fundraiser."

Mills said she's qualified for the job and wants to continue to set an example for young girls.

"I'm running for the schoolgirl in Rumford who will say, 'Yes, I can,'" she said.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com