State Rep. Janet Mills (D-Farmington) is all but certain to be the first female attorney general in the state.

Mills was nominated by state House and Senate Democrats during a joint caucus Tuesday afternoon. She beat state Reps. John Brautigam (D-Falmouth) and Sean Faircloth (D-Bangor). Mills now heads to the full Legislature for confirmation on Wednesday.

In her speech to the joint caucus, Mills stressed her record of public service. She spent 15 years as the District Attorney in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

Elected in 1980, she was the first female DA in all of New England. She also served as an assistant attorney general. Mills said her work on the Legislature's Appropriations Committee will help guide the office through the state's tough budget times.

In her nominating speech, Sen.-elect Deborah Simpson (D-Auburn) called Mills, "the epitome of multi-tasking," and described how she juggled seats on both the Appropriations and Judiciary committees during the last Legislature.

"The next AG is going to have to be tough, because these are tough times," Mills said.

Mills' appointment also satisfied the Republicans, who will not nominate their own candidate.

"It was a very responsible choice," said House Republican leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport). "I'm thrilled for Janet, she will make an excellent AG."

Last week the Republicans came out in opposition to Faircloth. House minority leader Josh Tardy (R-Newport) questioned Faircloth's credentials, and said that if the Democrats backed him, the Republicans would back Mills or Brautigam. Mills' nomination leaves an empty House seat, which will need to be filled by a special election.