Since entering the race for attorney general a year ago, Denise O'Donnell has labored to raise her profile in a campaign whose coverage has been largely fixated on two other Democratic candidates, Andrew M. Cuomo and Mark Green.

But the political events of the last few days may have provided a boost to the candidacy of Ms. O'Donnell, a Buffalo resident who is the former United States attorney for the Western District of New York.

Last week, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer selected David A. Paterson, a state senator from Harlem, to be his running mate in the 2006 governor's race. And Mr. Paterson's selection increases the possibility that the Democratic ticket will be dominated by politicians from New York City, shunning the geographic diversity that the political parties tend to value.

That has placed a spotlight on the campaign of Ms. O'Donnell, 58, who herself talks about need for diversity in the Democratic ticket. As a woman from western New York, she said, she could provide a balance to the Democratic slate so that it could appeal to voters throughout the state.

"I think diversity is important, wherever it occurs," she said. "In politics, it's helpful if the slate of candidates reflects the diversity of the state. But I got in this race because of my qualifications and experience. And when all is said and done, voters are going to vote for the person with the best professional experience."

She said the last week had brought not only more attention to her campaign, but also more contributions.

"Lately, I've had a lot of people wondering who I am, how I might fit into this ticket," Ms. O'Donnell said during an interview over breakfast on a recent morning in Manhattan. "And it has had a positive effect on our fund-raising."

Ms. O'Donnell was appointed to the United States attorney's office by President Bill Clinton and stepped down in 2001, when President Bush came to office.

Before that, she was the first assistant to the United States attorney and worked as the chief appellate attorney in that office. Earlier in her career, Ms. O'Donnell worked as a social worker.

In addition to Mr. Green, the former New York City public advocate, and Mr. Cuomo, who served as housing secretary in the Clinton administration, the other candidates for the Democratic nomination for attorney general are Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky; Charlie King, a two-time candidate for lieutenant governor who is head of a nonprofit group that provides housing for the homeless; and Sean P. Maloney, a former aide to President Clinton.

On the Republican side, Jeanine F. Pirro, the former Westchester County district attorney, decided last month to abandon her effort to unseat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and to run for attorney general.

And Daniel M. Donovan Jr., the Staten Island district attorney, is also considering running on the Republican line, his spokesman said. Mr. Donovan has been encouraged by former United States Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato and other Republican leaders to compete with Ms. Pirro for the nomination.

But Ms. O'Donnell has lagged behind many of the candidates. Indeed, Mr. Cuomo, Mr. King and Mr. Green have eclipsed her fund-raising by large amounts.

Ms. O'Donnell said that her credentials as a prosecutor would make her a better match for Ms. Pirro than any of her Democratic rivals.

"We have a number of people in the race who have been running for political office their entire careers," she said. "But I have the qualifications and experience to hit the ground running and build on what Eliot Spitzer has done."