Despite Kane's Refusal To Resign, Abraham And Others Are Floated As Possible Successors
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Indicted Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane holds a news conference tomorrow, at which she is expected to repeat her refusal to resign.
But that hasn't stopped others from indicating their desire to be appointed to succeed Kane, including former Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham.
Kathleen Kane has been unequivocal about her plan to stay in office as she fights perjury and other charges. Still, Abraham is making it clear she'd be willing to serve out the remainder of Kane's term if nominated by Governor Wolf.
Political analyst and pollster Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall College says other possible replacements include Geoffrey Moulton, a former Kane aide who now works for Wolf, and former federal prosecutor David Barasch.
Madonna says amid Kane's refusal to resign, he is surprised by all this talk. "I've never seen such speculation in advance of someone who has indicated they're not leaving a position," he says.
Madonna says any nomination by Governor Wolf would need approval of two-thirds of the state Senate, giving the GOP majority in the senate the dominate say in this. And while he expects any interim successor to Kane to be a Democrat, he believes the GOP leadership will want to be consulted before he announces his choice.
"The Republicans are going to want input into the selection, whoever that person might be," he says. "And that throws another wrinkle into any discussion about the possibility of a replacement for Attorney General Kathleen Kane."
Madonna says any nominee would have to vow not to run for re-election. Kane's term ends in December 2016. He says Wolf might be inclined to choose a woman to succeed her, given that Kane was the first female Attorney General in Pennsylvania. That could help Abraham's prospects.
"Voters elected a woman -- put a woman back in on a temporary basis. So that might auger well for Lynne Abraham," he says.
Abraham ran for mayor in last spring's Democratic primary, coming in third behind Jim Kenney and Anthony Williams. She is 74, but Madonna believes the short duration of a possible AG appointment would not make her age a factor.
Kane will speak to reporters Wednesday at 1pm at the state Capitol.