Former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones today announced he is running for the United States Senate.

Jones, a Democrat, is best known for the successful prosecution of those responsible for killing four young girls in the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing.

"Alabama has been embarrassed eough the last few years by political leaders who have not been leaders at all," Jones said. "I want to change all of that."

"We need leaders who people can talk to, reason with, and trust even if they don't agree on every political position."

Jones said Alabama officials spend too little time focused on the real concerns of the people -- jobs, health care and education -- and instead have "played on our fears and exploited our divisions for their own self interests."

Jones was the U.S. attorney in Birmingham starting in 1997, after being appointed by President Bill Clinton. In 2002, Jones was the lead prosecutor in the case that won murder convictions against Thomas Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry for the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church that killed four girls. The convictions came nearly 40 years after the 1963 bombing.

Jones also worked on the indictment of Birmingham abortion clinic bomber Eric Robert Rudolph, whose 1998 attack killed an off-duty police officer. Rudolph was captured and convicted after Jones left office.

After leaving office, Jones defended state legislators prosecuted in the two-year college corruption probe, and former Jefferson County Commissioner Chris McNair. McNair was indicted on fraud charges tied to county sewer contracts. He was convicted, appealed, and later pleaded guilty.

In private practice, Jones has also handled white-collar criminal defense work, general business litigation and class-action lawsuits.

Jones is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He began his career by working as staff counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for the late Sen. Howell Heflin from Alabama.

Heflin, who left office in 1997, was the last Alabama Democrat to serve in the U.S. Senate as the state shifted gradually to Republican control.

Qualifying for the senate race ends May 17. The primary election is Aug. 15, with a runoff - if needed - on Sept. 26. The general election is Dec. 12.

U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, State Rep. Ed Henry, former Christian Coalition of Alabama President Dr. Randy Brinson and Hoover businessman Dominic Gentile are seeking the Republican nomination.

Robert Kennedy Jr. of Mobile has also filed paperwork to run, according to Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Worley. Medical marijuana activist Ron Crumpton has also announced a run for the seat.

Worley told WAAY she did not know Kennedy and was not sure if he is related to the U.S. Senator assassinated in 1968. The son of the former presidential candidate does have extensive ties to Alabama.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.