Pioneering N.Y. lawmaker Elizabeth Holtzman, 80, may seek open seat

Even though she’s 80 years old, trailblazing former New York lawmaker and prosecutor Elizabeth Holtzman is considering running for Congress in the same district as former Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Daily News has learned.

The first woman to ever serve as Brooklyn district attorney and city comptroller in the 1980s and 1990s, Holtzman (photo) confirmed in a brief phone interview Monday that she is weighing jumping into the already jam-packed Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District.

“I have been considering it, but I don’t want to say anything more,” said Holtzman, who also served as a Brooklyn-representing congresswoman in the 1970s and was a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Holtzman recently contacted veteran political strategist George Arzt’s firm about potentially launching a campaign for the 10th District, which under a new congressional map will cover sections of western Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan.

The 10th District is currently represented by longtime Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), but he is running for reelection in the neighboring 12th District because of this year’s dramatic congressional redistricting, resulting in a rare open primary in the 10th with just months to go before the election set for Aug. 24.

The congressional bonanza has attracted lots of attention from local politicos. De Blasio has already announced a campaign for the 10th, as has Manhattan Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou and Rep. Mondaire Jones, who currently represents New York’s 17th District.

A number of other lawmakers have let it be known that they are considering running, including Manhattan Councilwoman Carlina Rivera.

If Holtzman joins the fray, she would be the oldest candidate in the hotly contested race.