Biden is considering Andrew Cuomo for Attorney General: NY Governor revealed to be on President-elect's shortlist
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is one of several contenders under consideration by President-elect Joe Biden for the role of attorney general, a person with knowledge of the search process told the Associated Press on Friday.
The other three contender are reported to be outgoing Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates,
The Associated Press reported earlier in the week that Jones, who lost his Senate seat last month, and Garland, who was spurned by Republicans four years ago for a spot on the Supreme Court, had emerged as the two front-runners in the search process.
However, Biden and Cuomo have known one another for decades, and the President-elect is said to be extremely fond of the New York Governor.
Spokespeople for Cuomo did not immediately return emails seeking comment Friday.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is one of several contenders under consideration by President-elect Joe Biden for the role of attorney general, a person with knowledge of the search process said Friday
, Biden and Cuomo have known one another for decades, and the President-elect is said to be extremely fond of the New York Governor. They are pictured together in 2016
It was not clear to what extent the disclosure this week that federal prosecutors were investigating the finances of Biden's son, Hunter, might have scrambled the attorney general search process since the person who is ultimately picked would inherit the probe, assuming it remains active next month.
It was also not immediately clear how seriously Cuomo was being considered or how any nomination of him would be greeted by either Republicans, given Cuomo's antagonistic relationship with President Donald Trump, or by civil rights activists who have encouraged Biden to build a diverse cabinet.
Rev. Al Sharpton, who was among advocates who met with Biden on Tuesday on the subject of diversity and civil rights, told reporters he had encouraged Biden to select a black attorney general but gave him room to select someone of another race as long as they had a background in civil rights.
Cuomo has been asked in recent weeks about his interest in the attorney general spot. Just this week, he said in a public radio interview in New York, 'I have no intention to run for president or vice president, or go to the administration.'
However, he said the attorney general job 'is really critical, especially now.'
A former state attorney general and Housing and Urban Development secretary in the Clinton administration, Cuomo has been governor of New York since 2011 and has been the public face of the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland is also said to be on the shortlist
Outgoing Alabama Sen. Doug Jones is also having his name touted by insiders
Former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates is also being considered for the job