Here Are Some Contenders for New York’s Next Attorney General

The sudden resignation of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, like the resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer a decade ago, has created an unexpected opening at the top of the Empire State’s power pyramid, and is likely to set off a scramble among current and former public servants.

As with anything involving politics in New York, the quest to become the successor to Schneiderman, who quit on Tuesday after allegations of abuse, isn’t as simple as running for the office this summer and winning in November. Members of New York’s legislature have the power to appoint someone who could fill out Schneiderman’s current term. Ideally, as far as Democratic state lawmakers are concerned, that individual would then coast to victory in November.