Both Yocom and his chief investigator in the Workman case, Craig Watson (who has come under withering criticism from the Workman camp for, they say, skewing the investigation), have endorsed Skordas' candidacy for attorney general. Yocom's endorsement is prominently featured on Skordas' campaign Web site: "Greg Skordas . . . is armed with integrity. He is armed with honesty. He is armed with intelligence. He is armed with experience."

Workman has said she wants to have her case adjudicated before November's election. Skordas had barely agreed to represent the mayor before he was in 3rd District Court Wednesday morning, seeking the earliest date possible for her initial appearance. It is scheduled for Monday morning.

Skordas declined to say whether he is seeking final adjudication of the charges before the election; legal observers say that is an extremely remote possibility. He did say he wants the case moved along quickly.

Shurtleff, Skordas' opponent in the attorney general race, responded to the appointment with caution.

"We understand Nancy has to do what Nancy has to do," his campaign manager, Ally Isom, said. "It doesn't affect our strategy."

But state Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn responded positively gleefully:

"It certainly sends a big signal that all the top Republicans think Greg Skordas is a great attorney and ought to be our next attorney general."

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com