Sep 15, 2009 5:00 pm US/Eastern
3 Candidates, 1 Massive Manhattan DA Hole To Fill
Vance, Crocker Snyder And Aborn Vying For Most Prestigious Top Cop Position In Any American City
Legend Morgenthau, Now 90, Saying Goodbye After 35 Years On Job
Reporting
Lou Young
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The winner of the 2009 Democratic primary for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office will replace 90-year-old Robert Morgenthau, seen here, who has been the DA for 35 years.
CBS
Manhattan primary voters were set to replace a legend on Tuesday night.
District Attorney Robert Morgenthau is retiring after more than three decades as the head of the nation's most powerful local prosecutor's office.
The stakes are so high the candidates are pushing up to the final moment.
Former judge Leslie Crocker Snyder is making her second run at the office; Richard Aborn is making is first try, as is Cy Vance, the incumbent's choice.
They all once worked for the man they want to replace, legendary Morgenthau. He prosecuted every major case in Manhattan -- from the most notorious criminals -- to the white collar crooks and wayward celebrities.
It seems he has been here forever.
The streets where the DA's office is located on Hogan Place, named after Frank Hogan, who took over from Thomas Dewey, who immediately preceded Morgenthau. That was 35 years ago.
"There have been three elected district attorneys in 75 years, so you're right: This is a rare moment in this office's history," Vance said.
Vance is the anointed one, hand-picked by Morgenthau to succeed him. He's 90 years old but didn't want to be rushed into retirement.
When recently asked if he ever thought about stepping down before, Morgenthau said, "Yes. Well, when I ran the last time I figured enough's enough."
That was the time when Crocker Snyder challenged him in the primary. They do not get along, and CBS 2 HD asked her about his endorsement of Vance.
"I think he has bad taste. What can I tell you? What can I say? He should prefer me. I'm clearly the best qualified candidate and I've been here protecting New Yorkers, not out in some West Coast city making millions," Crocker Snyder said.
That's the kind of mud slinging that has Aborn trying to take the high road -- and maybe the election.
"I'm not going to participate in this back and forth between Leslie and Cy," Aborn said.
Vance has the old man's endorsement, though. Both are sons of prominent political families. Vance's dad worked for Jimmy Carter; Morgenthau's father worked for FDR.
However, it is one thing to be anointed, but quite another to win an election. By Tuesday night we should know who the next Manhattan DA will be.
There is no Republican candidate for the November election, and Aborn -- who has a third party line -- said he'll abide by his party's primary.
The polls close at 9 p.m.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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