John P. Cahill, ex-Gov. George Pataki’s former chief of staff and current law partner, weighs a run for attorney general against incumbent Eric T. Schneiderman, a source close to the maybe-candidate said Cahill would have to get the GOP nomination without a primary.

“The only way John goes is if there’s a clear field,” the ally said. “He does not need to be dragged to the right [by a rival]. The only way to play this year is to stay on theme from start to finish.”

Those around Cahill, who was also Pataki’s environmental commissioner, see Schneiderman as beatable and relatively unknown by voters, unlike his predecessor, Andrew M. Cuomo, now governor.

In 2010 Schneiderman, then a state senator, emerged from a Democratic primary race to beat Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan in the election, 55 to 44 percent. Donovan had both the Republican and Conservative nominations, unchallenged.
 

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME