Topeka ? U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda’s husband is interested in replacing disgraced Attorney General Paul Morrison, putting himself on a list with many candidates who don’t know how much they want the job.

Steve Boyda, who has been an attorney for more than 30 years and once prosecuted criminal and civil cases for Marshall County, said Wednesday that he told state Democratic Party chairman Larry Gates of his interest earlier this week. Morrison is a Democrat, as is Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who will appoint his replacement.

Morrison plans to leave office Jan. 31. He has acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a former subordinate, Linda Carter. He has denied her allegations of harassment and professional misconduct, but her statements are being investigated by federal, state and local agencies.

Democrats also have mentioned at least 14 other people as potential candidates, most notably Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs, who narrowly lost the 2002 governor’s race. Boyda is the first to confirm publicly that he approached a party leader about the job.

“I think anyone who wants that office needs to express a desire to do it,” Boyda said during a telephone interview. “It is a job that will take an incredible amount of energy, a lot of hours and lot of public relations work to restore public confidence in the office.”

Corcoran said Sebelius has yet to compile a short list of potential replacements for Morrison or conduct interviews.

Besides Biggs and Boyda, other potential candidates include Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier; Charles Branson, Douglas County district attorney; Sally Howard, Sebelius’ chief counsel; District Judge Stephen Six, of Douglas County; Mike Leitch, director of Morrison’s civil litigation division; and Topeka attorneys John Frieden and Dan Lykins.