By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said the governor made a tough choice when he ended his bid for election Friday afternoon, but the presumed candidate appeared in no rush to announce his own candidacy.
"I am sure this is a difficult choice and a sad day for the governor and his family," Cuomo said. "It is in the best interests of all New Yorkers that the state government function through this difficult time and address the pressing budgetary problems we face.
This is an election year and I will announce my plans at the appropriate time."
Rumors of Cuomo's candidacy have swirled for months, but the he has steadfastly refused to announce that he is running, despite all indications to the contrary.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs said he believed their would be rapid movement among the party's county chairs to support Cuomo in the wake of Paterson's announcement.
"I think Andrew Cuomo is going to be our nominee," Jacobs said Friday afternoon.
The party leader said he had spoken to the attorney general earlier on Friday, but when asked whether or not Cuomo would be running, he only said "I'm going to let him tell you."
In his capacity as attorney general, Cuomo is investigating charges that Paterson and the State Police improperly intervened in a domestic violence case involving one of the governor's top aides.
In a Feb. 22 poll, Cuomo led Paterson by 42 points in a hypothetical match-up and had a 37-point lead over Republican candidate Rick Lazio.
