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McCall to endorse O'Donnell for Attorney General

By MARC HUMBERT
AP Political Writer

February 15, 2006, 7:58 PM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate H. Carl McCall, one of New York's most prominent black leaders, will endorse Denise O'Donnell's candidacy for state attorney general, fellow Democrats said Wednesday.

O'Donnell, a former U.S. attorney from Buffalo, is battling a host of other Democrats for the attorney general nomination, including former federal Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, who was beaten by McCall in 2002 for the Democratic nomination for governor.

McCall went on to lose the general election as Republican Gov. George Pataki easily won a third term. McCall later blamed Cuomo's candidacy for draining money from the McCall campaign that could have been used against Pataki. Cuomo is the elder son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo.

McCall will announce his endorsement of O'Donnell at a Manhattan news conference Thursday morning, said a McCall confidant, speaking only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

There was no immediate comment from Cuomo.

"As an experienced leader at almost every level of our state government, Carl McCall understands that hands-on experience makes the difference," said O'Donnell when asked about the McCall endorsement. "That's why I am grateful for his confidence in me, and why I am so honored that he is a partner in this campaign."

The attorney general's job is opening up because Democratic incumbent Eliot Spitzer is running for governor. Pataki is not seeking re-election.

The battle for the Democratic nomination to replace Spitzer has become a dogfight that also includes Mark Green, who narrowly lost the 2001 New York City mayor's race; state Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; housing advocate Charlie King; and Sean Patrick Maloney, a former aide to President Clinton.

While Spitzer has not made an endorsement in the race to replace him, the attorney general is close to McCall.

In addition, Spitzer recently announced that he wanted state Senate Minority Leader David Paterson as his lieutenant governor candidate. Paterson, like Spitzer, is from Manhattan. State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, another Democrat from New York City, is seeking re-election. As the only potential candidate from upstate New York, O'Donnell is the only chance Democrats have for geographical balance on their statewide ticket.

Jeanine Pirro, a former Westchester County district attorney, is the only announced Republican candidate for attorney general.