Barbara Underwood To Stay On As New York Attorney General

NEW YORK, NY — State lawmakers officially tapped Barbara Underwood to serve as New York's attorney general Tuesday, giving some continuity to an office that was turned upside down two weeks ago. Some 190 members of the state Assembly and Senate voted in a joint session to appoint Underwood to lead the state's top law enforcement office for the rest of the year.

"It is a tremendous honor and I pledge to serve the people of the Great State of New York with honesty, integrity, and all of the skills I have acquired during decades of public service," Underwood said in a statement.

Underwood took over as acting attorney general following Eric Schneiderman's May 8 resignation in the wake of allegations that he physically and psychologically abused four women.

A committee of lawmakers interviewed about a dozen candidates for the post last week but ultimately chose Underwood, who served as the state's solicitor general for more than a decade. She is the first woman to hold the position.

"As they say, the cream rises to the top," Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said.

Legislators praised Underwood as uniquely qualified to lead the office until a new attorney general is elected in November. Her distinguished legal career has included a clerkship for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and a stint as acting U.S. solicitor general.

Voters will pick Underwood's replacement in the Nov. 6 statewide election. Democratic candidates so far include Public Advocate Letitia James and reportedly Leecia Eve, a former aide to Hillary Clinton and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The Republican lawyers Keith Wofford and Manny Alicandro are also reportedly vying for the job.

(Lead image: Barbara Underwood was appointed as New York's attorney general on Tuesday. Photo from New York State Attorney General's Office)