Landmark GOP pick for AG job

STATE Republicans on Thursday threw their support behind littleknown lawyer Manhattan Keith Wofford in the race for state attorney general.

Wofford, co-managing partner at Ropes & Gray’s New York City office, received a clear majority of the votes during the GOP’s nominating convention in Manhattan, besting former state Housing Commissioner Joseph Holland and upstate lawyer Randy Elf.

“I am going to seek justice without fear or favor because I will report only to you, the great citizens of New York,” Wofford (photo) told the sparsely attended convention on its final day.

Although he received enough support to force a primary, Holland threw his support behind Wofford, calling the vote a milestone for the state GOP.

“This is a historic moment for the Republican Party to have two African-American candidates, both Harvard Law School graduates, both attorneys in New York City, who were presented to the Republican Party leadership as candidates for attorney general,” said Holland.

Holland initially was running for governor, but switched to attorney general after party leaders united behind Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro for that race.

A Buffalo native, Wofford was a late entry into the race for attorney general, entering only after Democrat Eric Schneiderman resigned earlier this month because of allegations he abused women.