New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (at left)
This would certainly be epic: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who's used his post to
actively litigate on behalf of liberal causes, apparently has
not ruled out a primary challenge to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2018, according to reporter Ken Lovett. Unnamed sources "close to" Schneiderman say he's giving "serious consideration" to a bid and is "laying the groundwork" for a run should Cuomo retire, but Lovett acknowledges it's "not clear" whether Schneiderman would take Cuomo on directly. That means Schneiderman's people are leaving his intentions deliberately ambiguous, which is interesting in its own right.
Cuomo, meanwhile, just indicated that he's inclined to seek a third term, but he has to say that, lest he look like a lame duck just months after getting sworn in a second time. And if he still harbors delusions of becoming president some day, he also probably has to run and win at least one more time. The soonest he can seek the White House is 2020, but if Hillary Clinton wins next year, that pushes Cuomo out to 2024, (he'd be 67). If he eschews a third term, he'd be out of politics for half a dozen years by that point, so he has to stay in the game if he wants a promotion.
But Schneiderman could very well upend any such plans. Law professor Zephyr Teachout, despite having no name recognition, little money, and scarcely any time, threw a real scare into Cuomo in last year's primary and rode a wave of progressive disgust that held the governor to just 63 percent statewide. Schneiderman would offer a great contrast as a populist crusader to the anti-union, pro-one percenter Cuomo, and he'd be more than capable of finishing the job.
He'd also probably have the inside track for the Democratic nomination in an open seat race, too. Lovett mentions a trio of other possibilities: Teachout; Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner; and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. (A spokesman for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says any notion she's interested is "categorically false.") None of these candidates have a profile as prominent as Schneiderman's, nor would they be able to match his fundraising ability. But whether he knocks off Cuomo or succeeds him without a primary fight, Schneiderman would finally be the progressive governor that dark blue New York deserves.
11:40 AM PT: Schneiderman predictably backed off Lovett's obvious between-the-lines hints, but he also was far from Shermanesque in disavowing his interest:
"Being able take on powerful interests in order to protect New Yorkers is the greatest job I've ever had and my plan for 2018 is to run for re-election. I am not thinking about or planning to run for Governor, and I have no interest in challenging an incumbent Democratic governor who shares my views on virtually every issue."
As Al Swearengen once put it, announcing your plans is a good way to hear god laugh, so Schneiderman is just doing that thing smart politicians do when they resist courting any divine chortling.