N.Y.'s Acting Attorney General Hopes To Stay On As Interim

New York State Solicitor General Barbara Underwood says she would like to continue to serve as Acting Attorney General until the November elections. 

Underwood was appointed this week following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor Eric Schneiderman. She will serve until the state legislature appoints an interim Attorney General, who, in turn, will serve until a new A.G. is elected this fall.

Underwood told WNYC's Jami Floyd that while she has no interest in running for the office in November, she does hope to continue as interim Attorney General until then.

"I would be happy and honored to be appointed by the legislature to continue in this position, until such time as an elected Attorney General is available to fill the position," she said. "I, in fact, would be happy to help anyone in the role to advance the mission of the office." 

The state legislature is accepting resumes for the interim Attorney General position through Friday at 5 PM. The New York Senate and Assembly will select a candidate with a joint vote at a later date.

Underwood, who served as New York's Solicitor General since 2007, took over the post Tuesday after Schneiderman resigned amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse. She is the first woman to serve as Attorney General in New York. 

She said she plans to continue the office's existing work. 

"The office and its mission are much larger than any one person," she said. "That includes my predecessor. It actually also includes me." 

Underwood said she hopes the current #MeToo moment marks a step forward in promoting women's voices, both in and out of the workplace.

"I think it is a good thing for a woman to be taking the helm here at this particular moment in time," she said, "and I'm honored to be that woman."