Morgenthau Out, Seen Introducing Key Players To Vance

[City News]

Opting against his promised "90 in ’09" run, longtime Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau has decided not to seek re-election this fall, City Hall has learned, and was sighted introducing Cyrus Vance to key players in the Chinatown community at a recent Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association dinner. Vance has long been talked about as his preferred successor.

The official announcement of the decision not to run is expected for next week. Vance is a former assistant district attorney and son of the former secretary of state.

Morgenthau started to make the unofficial passing of the torch public this week, appearing with Vance and introducing him to attendees as the man who would succeed him. By law, he is not allowed to endorse candidates.

Some expected Morgenthau to give his blessing to Dan Castleman, the office’s longtime chief of investigations, who long wanted to succeed his boss. Castleman may still enter the race.

The race for re-election was to have been for a 10th term. Vance had been putting together plans to run, fundraising and quietly campaigning for a race he said he would not make unless Morgenthau opted against seeking re-election. He faces at least two other challengers, Leslie Crocker Snyder, another former assistant district attorney and judge who lost to Morgenthau 59-41 in her 2005 primary challenge, and Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City.

Also discussing a run is Rose Gill Hearn, the commissioner of the Department of Investigations.

Other candidates who have been mentioned as possibilities in the past are former State Sen. Catherine Abate and State Sen. Eric Schneiderman, who would be able to call on his active donor and voter database in making a run. Schneiderman, however, has signaled in the past that he might opt for life in the majority in the State Senate rather than run to succeed Morgenthau. Former Giuliani deputy mayor Randy Mastro may run as well.


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