WASHINGTON -- Brooklyn's top federal prosecutor, who served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York in both the Clinton and Obama administrations, is emerging as the leading candidate to replace Attorney General Eric Holder as the nation's top law enforcement official.
Reports from NPR, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times indicate that Loretta Lynch is likely the top candidate to replace Holder, one of the longest-serving attorneys general in American history.
Lynch is known to have a good relationship with Holder, but was not well-known by President Barack Obama until recently. Other potential nominees included Solicitor General Donald Verrilli and Labor Secretary Tom Perez. White House Senior Adviser Dan Pfeiffer said in an interview with Bloomberg published Friday that Obama would name his nominee before Thanksgiving and would potentially seek confirmation during the lame-duck session.
In September, Holder announced his intention to resign his post, pending the confirmation of his successor. If nominated and confirmed, Lynch would become the first minority woman to serve as attorney general.
UPDATE: 7:03 p.m. -- In a statement Friday evening, the White House said Obama plans to announce his intent to nominate Lynch for the position on Saturday. "Ms. Lynch is a strong, independent prosecutor who has twice led one of the most important U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country," the statement read.
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