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O'Donnell Vows Primary Battle

Attorney general hopeful seeks Democrats' votes

By Joseph Spector
Staff writer

Democratic attorney general candidate Denise O'Donnell, the only western New Yorker running for statewide office, said Thursday she would seek a party primary if she doesn't garner 25 percent of the party's support at its convention next month.

"I don't know if I'm going to get it, but I'm going to fight for it," O'Donnell, of Buffalo, said of getting support of 25 percent of party delegates at the convention.

Otherwise, O'Donnell, a former federal prosecutor, said during a meeting with the Democrat and Chronicle editorial board, that she would go through the arduous task of collecting petition signatures of at least 15,000 Democrats statewide to force a primary.

So far, only Erie and Chautauqua Democratic committees have endorsed her campaign.

O'Donnell dismissed polls that show Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo, former Housing and Urban Development secretary, with a large lead. She said the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo has the "best known (last) name in Democratic politics in the last 25 years."

Cuomo's campaign said he's proud of his name.

"Andrew Cuomo is proud of his family and proud of his lifelong commitment to social justice and record of real results," said spokesman John Del Cecato.

O'Donnell said she is the only Democratic candidate who has served as a prosecutor, experience she said is critical to being attorney general. Moreover, she said Albany should have a statewide elected official from upstate New York to balance the state's interests.

Other Democratic candidates include former New York City public advocate Mark Green; Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; lawyer Charlie King; and Sean Patrick Maloney, a former aide to President Clinton. Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro is the only GOP candidate.

King this week released a 30-second television spot that focuses on fighting abuse in health care, part of his new effort, called the People's Campaign for the People's Lawyer, in which he will tour the state to "introduce King to New York voters."