Reuters
Loretta Lynch, the head federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, is emerging as a leading candidate to replace U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, according to people familiar with the matter, after another top contender withdrew her name from the running last week.
Lynch, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, and Labor Secretary Thomas Perez are among those being considered, said the people, who declined to be named about the private deliberations.
Lynch, 55, has stirred little controversy during two tenures as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and supporters say she could be easily confirmed. She would also be the first Black woman to lead the U.S. Department of Justice, which could help counter complaints that the Obama administration is dominated by men.
The White House declined to comment on the search to replace Holder, who announced on Sept. 25 that he planned to step down.
“We don’t have any personnel updates, and are certainly not going to speculate on any decisions before the president makes them,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said.
Holder, the first Black U.S. Attorney General who came into office in 2009, has said he will stay in the post until the Senate confirms a successor.
A spokeswoman for Lynch, Zugiel Soto, also declined comment.
The administration of President Barack Obama has considered multiple candidates and the White House is not expected to announce a nominee until after the midterm elections next week, so a dark horse candidate could still emerge.
