Public Advocate Letitia James on Friday withdrew her name from consideration to replace Eric Schneiderman as interim state attorney general.
“After thoughtful and careful deliberation, I have decided not to participate in the ongoing legislative process regarding the Attorney General’s Office. More to come next week,” James tweeted.
James, who is considered a top tier candidate for mayor in 2021, emerged earlier this week as a leading candidate to replace Schneiderman in a vote by the Assembly and state Senate.
He resigned just hours after four women in a published report accused him of assaulting them.
The legislature has the legal authority to vote in a replacement — but Gov. Cuomo has made it clear he’d prefer to keep in place acting AG Barbara Underwood until voters install a permanent replacement in elections this fall.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has already announced public interviews next week for the interim position.
There’s nothing that would prevent James from running in September’s Democratic primary for the AG’s job, where she’s likely to face a crowded field of contenders.