Calling him the candidate “best qualified by his experience and views,” Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau yesterday inserted himself into the race for his replacement by endorsing Cyrus Vance Jr.
“My successor must continue to zealously pursue the rule of law, not simply convictions, and must seek justice rather than revenge . . . Cy Vance will do this and more,” said Morgenthau, who is retiring after 34 years in office.
Standing on the steps of the Manhattan Supreme Court and flanked by former Mayor David Dinkins and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Morgenthau said Vance “is best qualified to keep Manhattan socially and economically viable in the proud traditions of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.”
Vance, who is running against former Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder and former prosecutor Richard Aborn in September’s Democratic primary, said he is honored to get the venerable DA’s nod.
“New York City is a better place today because of Mr. Morgenthau,” said Vance. “We all owe him a debt of gratitude for that, and for his support, I say thank you.”
Vance’s rivals for the Democratic nod dismissed the endorsement.
“The fact that over 30 leaders and organizations who supported Morgenthau in 2005 ignored his lobbying for Vance and chose to support Richard Aborn instead shows that, in a democracy, who you are is still more important than who you know,” said Alexis Grenell, Aborn’s campaign spokeswoman.
A Snyder spokesman said, “Leslie has the qualifications and progressive vision to be Manhattan’s next DA, and that’s what the voters are looking for.”
jennifer.fermino@nypost.com