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Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey confirmed Wednesday that he may challenge first-term Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D) for the District 4 seat in next year's primary and is not seeking the county executive seat in 2010.

"This would be a great time to go back [to Capitol Hill]," said Ivey, who served as a legislative aide and counsel for Sens. Paul Sarbanes and Tom Daschle. He has been the county's top prosecutor since 2002.

Ivey said he and his family decided during Thanksgiving weekend to "test the waters" for a congressional race through an exploratory committee. Until that time, Ivey had refused to rule out a run for the seat being vacated by County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), who cannot run due to term limits.

"I think my focus is now on Congress," he said.

Five other candidates already running for Johnson's seat include Ivey's longtime ally and family friend Rushern Baker, who would have split their support base.

A spokesman for Edwards, who defeated longtime incumbent Congressman Albert Wynn in the 2007 primary to take the seat, said Edwards would not comment on Ivey's announcement.

A Harvard Law graduate with workplace ties to the Obama administration and current Attorney General Eric Holder, Ivey could have a funding edge against Edwards.

Ivey had already raised more than $137,000 in state funds for a run next year. Ivey said he would not be able to transfer the money to a federal election account.

Ivey said it "was not the time" to discuss Edwards' record when asked about the incumbent.

"This would be a great time to move a progressive agenda forward," he said.

District 4 includes portions of Prince George's and Montgomery counties, where Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 8-to-1.

Recurrent challengers Robert Broadus (R) of Clinton and George McDermott (D) of Forest Heights have filed to run in the September primary.

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net.