Barbara Underwood Chosen as Interim NY Attorney General

The New York State Legislature has chosen acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood as interim attorney general in the aftermath of Eric Schneiderman’s resignation earlier this month.

A joint session of the Democrat-controlled Assembly and the Republican-led Senate overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to name the 73-year-old Underwood the state’s top legal chief. Her appointment comes two weeks after Schneiderman abruptly resigned in disgrace, following reports of domestic violence.

Underwood, the state’s solicitor general, became acting attorney general when Schneiderman’s resignation became official May 8. He has denied the allegations.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the legislature’s appointment of Underwood on Tuesday, saying Underwood “is a brilliant legal mind” who “will provide strong leadership and important continuity in the office of Attorney General during these challenging times.”

The office is up for election this November. Underwood said she wouldn’t run.