Letitia James Files To Run For New York Attorney General

NEW YORK, NY — Public Advocate Letitia James filed as a candidate for attorney general with the state Board of Elections on Monday, signaling her intent to run to replace disgraced former AG Eric Schneiderman. James, a Democrat, also created a "James for NY" campaign committee through which she can raise money to support her bid.

The public advocate is planning to formally kick off her campaign Wednesday, according to the New York Daily News.

James is among several potential Democratic candidates for the state's top law enforcement job that have emerged since Schneiderman's resignation last week in the wake of allegations that he physically and psychologically abused four women.

James plans to seek the Democratic nomination for the post at the state party's convention next week, the Daily News reported.

She and several other possible candidates decided not to seek the state Legislature's appointment to the job this week even as they consider running in the September primary and November general election. Others include former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, law professor Zephyr Teachout and state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens).

A spokeswoman for James did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, another potential contender for Schneiderman's former job, dropped out of the field Tuesday as James jumped in.

Rice, a Long Island Democrat, said New York's prohibition on seeking two offices at once means she "cannot run for Attorney General at this time." She is also up for re-election to the House of Representatives this year.

"I am excited to seek a third term in Congress and hope to continue representing my constituents in Washington at this critical moment in our nation’s history," Rice said in a statement. "I am confident that New Yorkers will choose an Attorney General who is worthy of our faith and our trust. We must demand no less."

A panel of state legislators is interviewing 12 candidates for attorney general this week. Among them is Barbara Underwood, who took over as acting attorney general after Schneiderman stepped down.

Sixteen people applied for the Legislature's appointment, but four have reportedly dropped out, most recently Leecia Eve, a former adviser to then-U.S. senators Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.

This story has been updated to reflect Leecia Eve's withdrawal from the state Legislature's appointment process.

(Lead image: Public Advocate Letitia James joins a protest at a Harlem charter school in May 2017. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)