Robert Morgenthau has been the Manhattan District Attorney since the Nixon Administration and had told everyone who would listen how he would seek a 9th four year term this year, the year he turns 90 years old. He's apparently had a change of heart.
Robert Morgenthau, Manhattan's iconic district attorney since 1974, will not seek re-election in November, sources said Friday.
The 89-year-old prosecutor opted to retire rather than try for a 10th term, saying he hoped to spend more time with his family, the sources indicated.
The decision throws the top prosecutor's job in the high-profile office up for grabs for the first time since the Nixon White House.
Although Morgenthau faced re-election every four years, the venerable prosecutor barely faced any challenges in his time at One Hogan Place. Only twice did he even face a primary challenge.
Morgenthau - who turns 90 in July - was re-elected eight times, including a 2005 victory over former Manhattan judge Leslie Crocker Snyder. She's likely among the front-runners for the spot.
As Liz notes, this has created quite a stir among those who would wish to replace him. There hasn't been an opening at the top here in decades and the contenders are scrambling.
Being the Manhattan DA is a huge gig and it's different from holding the same job in other large cities or even other boroughs of New York City. The crimes pursued by the Manhattan DA are often unique and very complex. Whomever takes over is sure to have a full plate in the best of times. And, as I think we can all agree, these are hardly the best of times.
This really is the end of en era. |
