New York, NY —

While Democrats statewide wait for New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to announce whether he plans to run for governor, the Democrats who want his job are already hard at work.

This Friday five attorney general hopefuls face their first test at the Democratic Rural Conference in Niagara Falls. Conference chair Irene Stein says the caucus represents Democrats in 47 of the state's 62 counties. She says rural voters are being canvassed by phone and in person. Stein says no front-runner has emerged yet.

"At the convention, if nominated and seconded, each candidate will get a chance to make a brief address," Stein says.

The list of candidates for attorney general include Westchester Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey, former Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo, Manhattan State Senator Eric Schneiderman, and Nassau County D.A. Kathleen Rice.

The Rural Conference is essentially a straw poll for the attorney general candidates. Democrats will nominate a candidate at their party convention late next month, and contenders who want to press on can take their case directly to voters in the September primary.