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NEW YORK (AP) _ In a nod to St. Patrick's Day and the state's many Irish Democrats, the widows and children of some of New York's best known Irish-American politicians gathered Tuesday to endorse Democrat Denise O'Donnell in her bid for attorney general.

Outside the future Moynihan rail station, named for the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, O'Donnell won the backing of his daughter, Maura Moynihan. Moynihan said her father, who would have turned 79 this week, was there "in spirit."

Former President Clinton named O'Donnell U.S. attorney for western New York in 1999 on Moynihan's recommendation.

"Denise O'Donnell was a friend of Senator Moynihan's," Maura Moynihan said, saying O'Donnell's prosecutorial experience made her the best candidate to succeed outgoing attorney general, Democrat Eliot Spitzer, who is running for governor this year.

Maura Moynihan was joined by Donald Carey, son of former Gov. Hugh Carey; Cyrus Vance Jr., son of the late U.S. secretary of state; and Pat O'Dwyer, widow of former New York City Council President Paul O'Dwyer.

O'Donnell is running in a crowded Democratic field, which includes Andrew Cuomo, the former secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development and son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo; former New York City Public Advocate Mark Green; state Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; housing advocate Charlie King; and former Clinton aide Sean Patrick Maloney.

Former Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro is the only announced candidate on the Republican side.