With Eric Schneiderman abruptly resigning last week, the New York Assembly is scrambling to find an interim replacement as state attorney general.
The Assembly and Senate considered 13 candidates during sessions Tuesday and Wednesday in Albany, where each of the candidates was interviewed by a bipartisan, bicameral committee.
“I have reviewed the resumes of each of the candidates, and each of them present a compelling history in involvement in the law and dedication to human rights and due process,” said state Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove). “Every one of the resumes was impressive.”
The presumed front-runner is Barbara Underwood, the acting attorney general. Before Schneiderman resigned, she served as the solicitor general for the state, a position she was first appointed to in 2007 by then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
“I know Barbara, I have worked with her and have great respect for her,” Lavine said. “But we’re going to listen to each of the candidates and I’ll make a decision when I’ve heard from each and every one.”
Other candidates include Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti (D-Greenburgh), New York City attorney Lloyd Constantine, attorney Michael Diederich Jr., former lieutenant governor candidate Leecia Roberta Eve, attorney Nicole Gueron, former New York City Comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman, Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach, New York State Supreme Court Judge Doris Ling-Cohan, attorney Mina Quinto Malik, Assemblyman Daniel J. O’Donnell (D-Manhattan), attorney Jennifer Stergion and attorney Alex Zapesochny.
The interim attorney general would hold the position until the election in November; the state Legislature could decide to leave the position open until then.
Lavine said that the Legislature would discuss the candidates next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, and that an interim attorney general could be chosen before the end of the week. An interim attorney general would be chosen by a majority vote of the state Legislature.
Schneiderman resigned on May 7 following a New Yorker report that he had allegedly abused four women he had dated. Schneiderman has denied the allegations.
Efforts to reach state Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso were unavailing.
