PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A Maine state senator says he’s hoping to be chosen as the state’s next attorney general, while decrying the practice of the office being appointed by the Legislature.

Democratic state Sen. Mark Dion of Portland recently fell short in a run for his party’s gubernatorial nomination. The Sun-Journal reports Dion said Thursday he hopes to be chosen by the Legislature in December as the state’s next attorney general.

During his campaign, Dion said he would have preferred people elect the attorney general _ which would require a constitutional amendment.

Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills won the primary and will face Republican Shawn Moody in the general election.