By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice has not yet formally announced her bid for New York State Attorney General, but on Tuesday she reportedly beefed up her campaign staff with a group of pedigreed political operators.
Rice, who will likely join a crowded race including fellow Democrats State Sen. Eric Schneiderman, former Spitzer official Eric Dinallo and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, is a notoriously aggressive prosecutor, especially when it comes to cases involving drunk drivers and drugs.
She was the first woman to be elected DA in Long Island.
Rice's Tuesday hires included Robin Chappelle Golston who was director of community affairs for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Hillary Clinton when she was senator, Shams Tarek, who worked as a spokesman at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and fundraisers Kristie Stiles, Celeste Wolter, Michael Giacco who all raised money for Gov. David Paterson.
Former Paterson communications staffer Tracy Sefl joined Rice back in February.
Rice, as well as several of potential contenders for AG, have said they will formally announce their campaigns once current Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announces his bid for governor.